How Much Lemon Juice to Substitute for Lime Juice
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Lemon Juice keeps a similar flavor profile to Lime Juice.
How much lemon juice equals one tbsp lime juice?
Use 1 tbsp lemon juice per tbsp lime juice.
Health notes
Compared with Lime Juice, Lemon Juice has: less calories (22 vs 25 per 100g in Lime Juice) and less carbs (6.9g vs 8.4g per 100g in Lime Juice).
Using lemon juice as a lime juice substitute in baking
1:1 swap in batters and glazes; slightly less floral, still keeps rise and tang.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1; add off heat to keep the bright top notes from fading.
- Slow Cook
1:1; holds up fine in braises and simmered sauces over hours.
- Grilling
1:1 in marinades; tenderizes a touch more than lime.
- Steaming
1:1; drizzle after steaming fish or vegetables for brightness.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in ceviche, dressings, and guacamole with a sharper citrus edge.
- Drinks
1:1 in cocktails and sodas; less tropical, more straightforward tart.
Methods to avoid (1)
- Frying
Not recommended: acid juice steams the crust and ruins the fry.
FAQ
- How much lemon juice equals one tbsp lime juice?
1 tbsp. For a typical recipe:
- 1 tbsp lime juice → 1 tbsp
- 2 tbsp lime juices → 2 tbsp
- 3 tbsp lime juices → 3 tbsp
- Can I substitute lemon juice for Lime Juice in baking?
Yes. 1:1 swap in batters and glazes; slightly less floral, still keeps rise and tang. Not recommended: acid juice steams the crust and ruins the fry.
- How much lemon juice to use as a lime juice substitute?
Sharper, less floral than lime; add a pinch of lime zest if you have it.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Lemon Juice for Lime Juice?
Lemon juice keeps a similar flavor profile to lime juice.
- How does texture change when substituting Lemon Juice for Lime Juice?
Lemon juice same thin, watery liquid with no thickening in either raw or cooked use.
- What else should I know about substituting Lemon Juice for Lime Juice?
For marinades, dressings, ceviche, and drinks. Expect a sharper, less floral citrus note but the same acidity and thin texture. Skip frying, where any citrus juice fights the crisp crust. Pairs less naturally with coconut and chili than lime does.
- What still works when substituting Lemon Juice for Lime Juice?
Lemon juice still works as a acid and flavor carrier.
- How well does Lemon Juice match Lime Juice?
Lemon juice is strong on structure, good on heat, and good on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Lemon Juice for Lime Juice?
Lemon juice is slightly lower in calories and protein, and has about x3 more fat and x5 more sat. fat.