• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipe Search
  • Produce Guides
  • Stock a Pantry
  • Component Cooking
  • Search
  • Instagram

Naturally. logo

Home > Explore an Ingredient > Limes

Limes

Seasonality

Late Summer/Fall

Quick Tips

How to cook with limes

I primarily keep limes on hand for the juice and zest, which add brightness to recipes that I feel have something missing. Key limes are good for desserts (obviously, the key lime pie). Occasionally I will sear limes when I’m grilling or sauteeing other vegetables.. Just use caution, as limes can react with cast-iron skillets that haven’t been seasoned, well enough causing a color/flavor issue.

How to buy limes

Look for limes void of blemishes, cuts, brown spots, and soft spots. They should have a glossy sheen, a deep green color, and give just slightly when pressed.

How to store limes

Store limes in the refrigerator crisper for up to a month, or at room temperature for about a week. If storing in the refrigerator, remove the limes from the refrigerator a couple hours before using.

Varieties

Persian
Kaffir
Key

About

For cooking, there are three main kinds of limes I use: Persian, Key, and Kaffir. Persian limes, a cross between key limes and lemons, are typically what is sold in stores. Key limes are smaller, but pack a more intense flavor and tend to be juicier. Kaffir limes are less about the lime and more about the leaves, primarily used in Thai cooking.

Limes are picked slightly unripened. When left to ripen, they turn yellow and no longer have the lime flavor we know and love. I like lime juice to brighten up Mexican/Latin food I make, and of course, margaritas. I also like to add it to seasonal citrus curds. In a pinch, I’ll swap lime juice for lemon juice (and vice versa). Lime juice has a bit punchier of a flavor, so I tend to use a bit less.

During lime season, I will zest and juice limes to freeze in ice cube trays. Lime juice will last for a few months in the freezer and can be a lifesaver after the season has ended.

 All Vegetarian Lime Recipes

  • Chipotle Black Bean and Avocado Quesadilla | @naturallyella
    Avocado Quesadilla with Chipotle Black Beans
  • Avocado Salad with Chickpeas
  • Baked Corn Samosas with Chickpeas | @naturallyella
    Baked Corn Samosas with Chickpeas
  • Black Bean Bowl with Freekah | http://naturallyella.com
    Black Bean Bowl with Freekeh
  • Garlicky Shishito Quesadillas | @naturallyella
    Black Bean Quesadillas with Garlicky Shishito Peppers
  • Black Bean Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    Black Bean Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Black Bean Tacos with Sweet Corn-Avocado Salad | Naturally Ella
    Black Bean Tacos with California Avocado-Sweet Corn Salad
  • Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado Salad
  • Black Bean Tostadas with Chipotle Butternut Squash | http://naturallyella.com
    Black Bean Tostadas with Chipotle Butternut Squash
  • Spicy Cabbage Spring Rolls with Grilled Mango
    Cabbage Spring Rolls with Grilled Mango
  • Cajun Cauliflower with Cilantro-Avocado Sauce
    Cajun Cauliflower with Cilantro Avocado Sauce
  • Caramelized Cauliflower Salad with Quinoa
    Caramelized Cauliflower Salad
  • Carrot Rice Noodle Bowl with Tahini-Sriracha Sauce | @naturallyella
    Carrot Rice Noodle Bowl with Tahini-Sriracha Sauce
  • Chipotle Black Bean and Rice Skillet
    Chipotle Black Bean and Rice Skillet
  • Chipotle Carrot, Avocado, and Kamut Salad
  • Chipotle Cilantro Pesto Black Bean Summer Pasta | http://naturallyella.com
    Chipotle Cilantro Pesto Black Bean Summer Pasta
  • Chipotle Corn Cakes with Avocado and Goat Cheese
    Chipotle Corn Cakes with Avocado and Goat Cheese
  • Chipotle Lentil Tacos with Avocado and Micro Greens
    Chipotle Lentil Tacos with Avocado and Microgreens
  • Chipotle Sweet Potato and Brown Rice Egg Skillet
  • Chipotle Sweet Potato Quesadilla with Cilantro Gremolata | Naturally Ella
    Chipotle Sweet Potato Quesadilla with Cilantro Gremolata
  • Chipotle Sweet Potato Taco Salad
  • Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos with Black Beans and Guacamole
    Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos with Black Beans and Guacamole
  • Cilantro Sweet Potato Tostadas with Mashed Black Beans | Naturally Ella
    Cilantro Sweet Potato Tostadas
  • Cold Noodle Salad with Cabbage
    Cold Noodle Salad with Cabbage
  • Curried Vegetable Polenta Kabobs | @naturallyella
    Curried Vegetable Polenta Kabobs
  • Curry Chickpea Burgers with Coconut Cabbage Slaw | Naturally Ella
    Curry Chickpea Burgers with Coconut Cabbage Slaw
  • Curry Roasted Vegetable and Avocado Naan-wich
    Curry Roasted Vegetable and Avocado Naanwich
  • Ginger Lime Fizz | Naturally Ella
    Ginger Lime Fizz (Non-Alcoholic)
  • Ginger-Soy Slaw with Quinoa | Naturally Ella
    Ginger-Soy Cabbage Quinoa Slaw
  • Green Curry with Potatoes and Chickpeas
  • Grilled Chipotle Peach Salad with Sweet Corn and Goat Cheese | @naturallyella
    Grilled Chipotle Peach Salad
  • Grilled Sriracha-Tahini Sweet Potato Skewers with Halloumi | @naturallyella
    Grilled Sriracha-Tahini Sweet Potato Skewers with Halloumi
  • Halloumi Burrito Bowl with Roasted Potatoes and Guacamole | Naturally Ella
    Halloumi Burrito Bowl with Roasted Potatoes and Guacamole
  • Harissa and Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Huevos Rancheros with Roasted Sweet Potato
  • Lime Ginger Sorbet (Green Mango Café & Bakery Cookbook)
  • Quick Mediterranean Flatbread | Naturally Ella
    Mediterranean Flatbread
  • Minted Summer Couscous with Watermelon and Feta- Simply Ancient Grains
    Minted Summer Couscous with Watermelon and Feta- Simply Ancient Grains
  • Peanut Sauce | Cooking Component | Naturally Ella
    Peanut Sauce | Cooking Component
  • Broccoli Peanut Noodle Bowl | http://naturallyella.com
    Roasted Broccoli Peanut Noodles
  • Roasted Butternut Squash and Udon Noodles with Cilantro-Tahini Sauce
  • Roasted Chipotle Sweet Potato and Sorghum Salad
    Roasted Chipotle Sweet Potato and Sorghum Salad
  • Five-Spice Pumpkin Soup with Parsnips | @naturallyella
    Roasted Five-Spice Pumpkin Soup
  • Black Bean Tacos with Roasted Red Pepper Relish | http://naturallyella.com
    Roasted Red Pepper Relish Black Bean Tacos (+ Homemade Corn Tortilla Video)
  • Roasted Salsa Verde | @naturallyella
    Roasted Salsa Verde
  • Roasted Tomato Salsa | http://naturallyella.com
    Roasted Tomato Salsa
  • Root Veg Enchilada with Cilantro Cashew Sauce | @naturallyella
    Root Vegetable Enchiladas with Cilantro Avocado Sauce
  • Saving the season: Lemons
  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Ginger Potstickers | Naturally Ella
    Shaved Brussels Sprout Potstickers
  • Southwest Loaded Sweet Potato Fries
  • Spiced Sweet Potato Quesadilla
  • Spicy Peanut Sauce with Brown Rice Noodles | @naturallyella
    Spicy Peanut Sauce Noodle Bowl
  • Spinach Enchiladas with Lentils and Homemade Enchilada Sauce
    Spinach Enchiladas with Lentils
  • Spinach Salad with Avocado and Sesame Roasted Almonds
  • Spinach Soba Bowl with Peanut Sauce
    Spinach Soba Bowl with Peanut Sauce
  • Steel Cut Oats with Citrus Curd and Almonds
    Steel Cut Oats with Citrus Curd
  • Stuffed Hatch Chiles with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt | http://naturallyella.com
    Stuffed Hatch Chiles with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt
  • Summer Vegetarian Tacos with Avocado Cream and Feta | http://naturallyella.com
    Summer Vegetarian Tacos with Avocado Cream
  • Hearty Sweet Potato Curry | http://naturallyella.com
    Sweet Potato Curry with Brown Rice
  • Sweet Potato Sriracha Noodle Soup
  • Sweet Potato Wedges with Peanut Sauce | Naturally Ella
    Sweet Potato Wedges with Peanut Sauce
  • Butternut Squash Noodle Bowl with Spinach
    Tahini Butternut Squash Noodle Bowl with Spinach
  • Thai Cauliflower with Pearl Couscous and Cilantro
  • Thai Sweet Potato Quinoa | @naturallyella
    Thai Sweet Potato Quinoa
  • Three-Grain Grilled Vegetable and Feta Salad
    Three-Grain Grilled Vegetable and Feta Salad
  • Turmeric Cauliflower Egg Skillet with Apple Chutney | http://naturallyella.com
    Turmeric Cauliflower Egg Skillet
  • Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos | @naturallyella
    Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos
  • Chipotle Sweet Potato and Black Bean Vegetarian Nachos | @naturallyella
    Vegetarian Nachos with Chipotle Sweet Potatoes
  • Zucchini and Sweet Corn Hash Egg Skillet
  • Zucchini Sweet Corn Hash Egg Skillet with Roasted Tomato Salsa | Naturally Ella
    Zucchini Sweet Corn Hash Egg Skillet
Limes

Recent Recipes

  • Saving the season: Lemons
  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Ginger Potstickers | Naturally Ella
    Shaved Brussels Sprout Potstickers
  • Sweet Potato Wedges with Peanut Sauce | Naturally Ella
    Sweet Potato Wedges with Peanut Sauce

Primary Sidebar

  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Books

Follow

  • Bloglovin
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Be yourself, just a bit more naturally.

Get all the inspiration delivered directly to your inbox. Spam not included.

Privacy Policy

Footer

Don’t Miss a Recipe

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2019 Naturally.