How Much Lime to Substitute for Lemon Juice
Works for baking, sauteing, and grilling. Lime keeps a similar flavor profile to Lemon Juice.
How much lime equals one Lemon Juice?
Use 1 cup Lime per 2 cup of Lemon Juice
Health notes
Compared with Lemon Juice, Lime has: more calories (30 vs 22 per 100g in Lemon Juice) and more carbs (10.5g vs 6.9g per 100g in Lemon Juice).
Using lime as a lemon juice substitute in baking
One lime gives about 2 tbsp juice; use half a lime per tbsp of lemon juice needed.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
Squeeze half a lime per tbsp of juice called for; adds a sharper tang.
- Grilling
Squeeze fresh lime over grilled meat or fish after cooking.
- Raw Cold
Squeeze half a lime per tbsp of juice for ceviche, guacamole, or salsas.
- Drinks
Squeeze half a lime per tbsp of juice for cocktails and limeade.
Methods to avoid (3)
- Frying
Not recommended: juice thins out and won't hold up in hot oil.
- Slow Cook
Not recommended: rind and pith can turn bitter over long simmer times.
- Steaming
Not recommended: whole lime doesn't steam well and juice alone works better fresh.
FAQ
- Can I substitute lime for Lemon Juice in baking?
Yes. One lime gives about 2 tbsp juice; use half a lime per tbsp of lemon juice needed. Not recommended: juice thins out and won't hold up in hot oil.
- How much lime to use as a lemon juice substitute?
Sharper and slightly more bitter than lemon; pairs well with chili or coconut dishes.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Lime for Lemon Juice?
Lime keeps a similar flavor profile to lemon juice.
- How does texture change when substituting Lime for Lemon Juice?
Lime same thin juice once squeezed, with slightly more bitterness from pith if zest gets involved.
- What else should I know about substituting Lime for Lemon Juice?
For dressings, marinades, and drinks, squeeze half a lime per tbsp of lemon juice needed. Expect a sharper, slightly more bitter tang with the same thin texture. Skip slow cooking and steaming, where whole lime or long simmering brings out unwanted pith bitterness. Works great in Latin or Southeast Asian style dishes.
- What still works when substituting Lime for Lemon Juice?
Lime still works as a acid and flavor carrier.
- What won't work when substituting Lime for Lemon Juice?
Lime won't work as a tenderizer.
- How well does Lime match Lemon Juice?
Lime is good on structure, good on heat, and good on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Lime for Lemon Juice?
Lime is higher in calories, is slightly lower in fat, and has about x2 fewer sat. fat, and about x2 more protein.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Lime for Lemon Juice?
The flavor shifts toward more bitter notes.