Are you looking for a substitute for lime Juice? then, you are in the right place. If you enjoy cooking, you are bound to experiment with different recipes. And if you are used to preparing different food items, you know the importance of lime juice. Whether you are an expert chef or an amateur, you are likely a user of lime juice in your dishes or cocktails. You can use lime juices in almost every aspect of your kitchen. Be it baking, making your favorite cocktails, or preparing delicious cuisine, you can use lime juice everywhere. The vitamin C-filled citrus fruit is popular and well-loved.
Along with being extremely popular for its savory, lime juice is also very healthy. The antioxidants and vitamins present in lime juice can help you in maintaining good health. Its nutritious value can help your immune system, lower your chances of having a heart attack, prevent kidney stones and boost your metabolism. Given all the health benefits, we can easily understand everyone’s obsession with using lime juice.
The variety of places where you can use lime juices explains its obsession. Some of the dishes where you can use lime juice are limeade, cookies, pies, egg curry, salads, and vegan gravy. With the dishes, you can spice up your dinner with cocktails and side-dressing, all made with lime juice.
Now, the question arises of what can be substitute for lime juice. Even though lime juice is considered to be the most coveted and available citrus product, you can still run out of it. There can be sudden unavailability of lime in the market or you can simply forget to add it to your shopping cart.
Another reason for which you may be looking for its alternatives can be its side effects. Although it has many health benefits, lime juice is highly acidic and you may experience acid reflux from its use. People also experience digestive problems like heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty in swallowing with the excessive consumption of lime juice.
Be it for the side effects or simply the unavailability, it is, either way, important to have its alternatives handy. We have prepared a list of substitutes for lime juice for you.
Alternatives of Lime Juice
Before we begin the substitute for lime juice list, we have to keep in mind that all the alternatives have their own properties, hence using them while cooking will need a little alteration. You can choose the best alternative according to your requirement from the list below:
01. Lemon Juice
When talking about an alternative, the first name that pops up in our mind is lemon juice. Whether you’re baking your favorite walnut pie or cooking coconut lime lentils, you can use lemon juice as the perfect alternative to lime juice. Since lime and lemon have similar character traits, you can easily use them as an alternative without having to worry about quantity. With their similar acidity and flavor, you can without worry change their roles in every recipe. In case you do not have lemon juice, you can choose your lemon zest too.
02. Lemon Extract
Just like lemon juice, lemon extract is an excellent substitute for lime juice. Found mostly in the baking section, lemon extract can fulfill your dish’s tangy requirement. By adding one or two drops of lemon extract, you will be able to include plenty of flavor to the dish. It’s the best substitute for lime juice in the desert. However, try to add something liquid since lemon extract is highly concentrated.
03. Orange Juice
Another citrus product, orange juice is a great alternative of lime juice. With having the same liquid component as lime juice, you can use orange juice as a substitute of lime juice in almost every dish and dessert. However, remember that orange juice is significantly sweeter than lime juice so you will need to regulate its use. For 2 teaspoons of lime juice, use 1 teaspoon of orange juice to meet the desired taste. Using orange juice as a substitute will give your dish the same tangy flavor, although it might become a little sweet. You can also use orange zest if you do not have orange juice.
04. Grapefruit Juice
If you do not mind a little sweetness in your dish, grapefruit juice is a noteworthy alternative to lime juice. Although a little is less sour, grapefruit juice can be used in the dishes for its similar properties. For best results, try using fresh grapefruit juice in your recipe. You can also use bottled juice if you can’t get your hands on the fresh one. Keep in mind that you can use a similar quantity of grapefruit juice as lime juice unless it is mentioned that you have to use the whole lime. Since the whole grapefruit is larger in quantity, try to measure it before using it in the dish.
05. White Wine Vinegar
Want to add a little intense flavor to your savory dishes? Try using white wine vinegar. A perfect substitute for lime juice in salad dressing for its tangy taste, the use of white wine vinegar can enrich your cooking. Since it’s not overly acidic, you do not have to worry about too much sourness. Also, be careful when you use white wine vinegar while baking because it can sometimes react poorly with ingredients like baking soda. Use ½ tablespoon of white wine vinegar for every tablespoon of lime juice.
06. Vinegar
Don’t have white wine vinegar? Use regular vinegar instead. You can consider using vinegar in dishes like salsa, guacamole, and ceviche as a substitute for lime juice. Apple cider vinegar and red wine vinegar are also good alternatives. However, since vinegar is more concentrated, its use can alter the flavor of the dish. So, make sure you are aware of its usage beforehand. And like white wine vinegar, its use in baked goods can be troublesome. Unless you are accommodated with its usage, try avoiding vinegar while baking. For 2 tablespoons of lime juice, use 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
07. White Wine
We all are familiar with the popularity of white wine in good cuisine. But, did you know that you can use white wine as an alternative to lime juice? A good substitute for lime juice, white wine can be used in the same quantity as it too. Although using white wine will alter the taste a little as it is not as sour as lime juice, you can still experience a good flavor and texture in your dish.
08. Tamarind Paste
While it may not be the most orthodox option, tamarind paste can work as an excellent substitute for lime juice. With a similar sour and citrusy taste, tamarind paste will add a tangy and enriched flavor to your dish. And even though it has its unique taste, adding a little water to the paste can make you forget about the absence of lime juice. Tamarind paste goes best with watery dish recipes like salad dressings, marinades, and drinks. Use 1 tablespoon tamarind paste for two tablespoons of lime juice.
09. Citric Acid
Found in lemon juice, citric acid is a naturally occurring acid. You can use citric acid as a good alternative to lime juice when it comes to baking. However, make sure you are aware of the quantity difference. One teaspoon of citric acid equals ½ cup of lime juice so use the alternative carefully. One of the best benefits of using citric acid is that it can prevent the destruction of vitamins and antioxidants in baked goods.
10. Lime Zest
Last but not the least, one of the best alternatives to lime juice is lime zest. Belonging from the same citrus fruit, the substance of the green exterior can add a good lime flavor to your recipe. Since the peel can excrete a similar flavor as the pulp, lime zest is the perfect alternative to lime juice.
Conclusion
We have included the top 10 alternatives of lime juice. As an important part of your everyday recipes, lime juice’s absence can affect the quality of your feeding habits. But with all the alternatives, you can easily prepare your favorite food item or drink without missing your most desired citrus juice. Go and try your hands on the recipe you have been pushing backward because of the absence of lime juice on your shelf. Happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink lime juice?
Absolutely yes, drinking lime juice is both healthy and refreshing. You can also have healthier skin with its regular intake.
Can lime juice reduce body fat?
The vitamin C and antioxidants present in lime juice can boost your metabolism and speed up your body’s fat burning process.
Can I replace lime juice with lime zest?
Lime zest can be used as an alternative of lime juice in almost every recipe.
What is the best substitute of lime juice in marinade?
Lemon juice is without any doubt the best alternative of lime juice when it comes to making marinade.
What can I use to make guacamole if I don’t have lime juice?
You can use a little bit of vinegar in the place of lime juice to cook guacamole.
