What can I substitute for lime juice?
Running low on lime juice? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About lime juice
Lime juice is the tart, highly acidic liquid extracted from fresh limes, prized for its bright, floral citrus flavour with a sharper edge than lemon juice. It plays a dual culinary role as both an acid and a flavouring agent, used to balance sweetness, tenderise proteins, activate leavening agents, and add complexity to dressings, marinades, cocktails, and desserts. Its distinctive aromatic quality comes from volatile compounds unique to limes, making it somewhat irreplaceable in dishes where its character is central.
Best substitute
lemon juice
Lemon juice is the closest match in acidity and culinary function, making it the go-to swap in most recipes. It lacks the floral, slightly bitter notes of lime but performs identically as an acid in baking, marinades, and dressings.
Use 1 tbsp for every 1 tbsp of lime juice
bakingmarinadesdressingssaucesNot suitable for: lime-forward cocktailsNot suitable for: ceviche
Alternative
white wine vinegar
White wine vinegar provides a clean, sharp acidity that mimics the tartness of lime juice well in savoury recipes and dressings. It lacks any citrus flavour, so it is best used where the acid function matters more than the taste profile.
Use ½ tbsp for every 1 tbsp of lime juice — dilute with water if needed
dressingsmarinadessavoury saucesNot suitable for: cocktailsNot suitable for: dessertsceviche
What is lime juice called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | lime juice |
| Canada | lime juice |
| New Zealand | lime juice |
| United Kingdom | lime juice |
| United States | lime juice |
Common names for lime juice
fresh lime juicesqueezed lime juicejuice of lime