Here is an exhaustive list of all the best possible substitutes for lime juice in cooking
Let’s dive right into it.
8 Best Substitutes for Lime Juice
1. Other Citric Juice
Be it orange, lemon, or grapefruit, you can use the juice of any other citrus fruit in your pantry as a substitute for lime juice in your recipe.
Depending on the fruit you use, the sweetness and flavor of the recipe can change slightly, but it should work just as well.
How to Substitute?
You can use a 1:1 ratio substitution of citric juice to replace lime juice in your recipe, but you might want to experiment with the flavors to find the balance you prefer.
Here is an orange juice vinaigrette recipe that you can try when you have run out of lime juice –
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is a quick-fix solution to replacing lime juice in your recipes, especially in salad dressings and marinades.
It gives a similar kick of acidity as lime juice, and depending on the flavor you prefer, you can use any different kind of vinegar, from apple cider vinegar to white wine vinegar.
How to Substitute?
Although you can use the same measure, you might want to play around with the measure of vinegar in your recipe to get the flavors you are looking for.
For an overnight vinegar marinade, check out this YouTube tutorial –
3. Tamarind
You could also use tamarind water or tamarind paste to get the tangy and sour flavors of lime juice in your cooking.
It can be quite different from lime juice in terms of flavor, but it works just as well in any recipe that you can think of.
How to Substitute?
Tamarind paste has more intense flavors so, it is best to start with half the measure and add more as you see fit later.
To make some tamarind paste in bulk to use in different recipes, check out this video tutorial –
4. Black Lime
Black lime is most commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisine.
It is essentially dried lime and is best used in savory recipes where you are looking for the sour and bitter notes of the lime.
It goes well in soups, stews, and meat dishes.
How to Substitute?
If you don’t mind bold flavors, you can go ahead with a 1:1 ratio substitution of black lime to replace lime juice in your recipe.
Here is a black lime recipe that you can try when you are in the mood for something new –
5. Lime or Citrus Zest
For baked goodies and rice recipes, lime zest or any citrus zest will work as a great alternative to lime juice.
The zest offers a bolder flavor with stronger notes of bitterness so, it is not an ideal replacement if you are looking to replace large measures of lime juice.
How to Substitute?
You can use half the measure of lime or citrus zest to replace lime juice in your recipe and add more as you see fit.
To know how to zest your limes or citrus fruits best, check out this YouTube tutorial –
6. White Wine
If you have some white wine in your pantry, that can also work as a good replacement for lime juice in your cooking recipes.
It gives you the same level of acidity and is best used in dressing, marinade, and sauce recipes.
How to Substitute?
You can use a 1:1 ratio substitution of white wine for lime juice in your recipe, but you can play around with the ratio to find the balance you prefer.
Here is a simple white wine sauce you can make when you don’t have lime juice in your pantry –
7. Lemon Extract
Lemon or lime extract is a good alternative to lime juice in your baking recipe, where you are looking for a distinct lime flavor and aroma.
Here the flavor is concentrated so a tiny bit can go a long way.
It is best used in desserts where the bitter notes get balanced out by the sweetness.
How to Substitute?
A drop or two of lime or lemon extract can give enough flavor to replace a tablespoon or two of lime juice.
If you would like to make some lime or lemon extract at home, you can check out this video guide –
8. Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar is another replacement for lime juice in your baking. It is acidic, like lime juice, and is often used to stabilize eggs in baked goodies.
But keep in mind that cream of tartar will reduce the liquid content of your recipe so you might want to adjust the ratios accordingly.
How to Substitute?
You will need half the measure of cream of tartar to replace a whole measure of lime juice in your recipes.
Bottom Line
I hope this article has given you the best alternative to lime juice for your recipes.
If you have any queries or would like to share some recipes or substitutes of your own, it would be great to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with your family and friends who love cooking and baking.