20 Lime Recipes That Make the Most of This Humble Citrus

A squeeze of lime or sprinkling of lime zest can make all the difference in a recipe, whether it's a rich meat dish or decadent dessert. The fruit's high acid content and tartness make it a powerful cooking ingredient. Here are 20 delicious ways to use limes.

Lime Basics

In Season: Persian limes (the most widely available limes in the United States) are available year-round.

What to Look For: Persian limes are shaped like lemons but generally smaller, with a thin green rind and pale, fragrant green pulp. Look for smooth skin with no brown spots; avoid dried-out limes. The fruit should be heavy for its size and give slightly when pressed.

How to Store: Fresh limes will last about 10 days in the refrigerator. Cut limes can also be refrigerated up to five days.

Lime zest is blitzed in the food processor along with scallions, ginger, garlic, salt, and oil to form a flavorful paste for marinating whole chicken.

Take classic linguine alle vongole to the next level by adding lime zest and juice and jalapeno to the usual clams and white wine.

We've combined two iconic drinks -- classic eggnog and the traditional Indian beverage lassi -- into a delicious hybrid. Bright lime juice and zest cut the richness perfectly.

Lime zest and juice amp up both the batter and glaze for these nutty Indian-inspired cookies spiced with cardamom and cayenne.

Lime zest and juice, honey, garlic, red-pepper flakes, oil, and salt make an irresistible sweet and spicy glaze for broiled shrimp skewers.

Honey and lime juice make freshly brewed hibiscus tea even more refreshing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Lime juice and zest add zing to the ground beef filling for these simple 20-minute tacos. Serve with sliced avocado, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, and lime wedges.

Lime juice is a must for a proper daiquiri. The lime zest-and-sugar rim is optional, but trust us, you're not going to want to skip it.

Lime juice, cilantro, honey, and olive oil make a zippy dressing for this fall-perfect salad. Spicy roasted butternut squash, crunchy toasted pepitas, and creamy Cotija cheese complete the dish.

Turn up the volume on cocktail nuts by tossing peanuts with fresh lime zest, Thai chiles, butter, sugar, and salt. Your guests will be gravitating towards the bowl all night.

Similar to lassi but thinner, this north Indian drink calls for plain yogurt, ice-cold water, and fine sea salt. Try it with fresh lime juice first, then go sweet with sugar and mint or spicy with cumin seeds and curry leaves -- you can't go wrong!

A combination of citrus juices -- lime and orange -- are used to deglaze the pan for these juicy pork chops. Onions, garlic, and a touch of sugar deepen the flavor of the resulting sauce.

Love Arnold Palmers? Try this refreshing riff that combines freshly brewed chamomile tea with lime juice and simple syrup.

Shake up cocktail hour with this invigorating cocktail inspired by nimbu pani, a lemon- or limeade popular in India. All you have to do is stir together fresh lime juice, gin, orange-blossom water, simple syrup, salt, and seltzer in a pitcher.