Mouth-Puckering Lime Recipes for Summer Dinners and Drinks (2024)

Updated on 01/21/22

All About Lime Season

Home-grown American limes, including the stronger, sweeter key limes, are at their peak in summer. Beginning in May, until the late fall, you can find locally-harvested limes at grocery stores, farmer's markets, and fruit stands. However, limes from Mexico and Central America, including key limes, are typically available throughout the year at North American supermarkets.

A Complete Guide to Citrus Fruits

• 01 of 19

  Homemade Lime Cordial

  

  Lime cordial is a drink mixer with a tart lime flavor. It's a hybrid ingredient that's sweeter than lime juice and more sour and bitter than lime syrup; it can be a substitute for either. Useful in co*cktails, shots, and nonalcoholic drinks, lime cordial is as easy to make at home as anyflavored simple syrup.
  

• 02 of 19

  Non-Alcoholic Mojito

  

  Cool and refreshing, themojitois a favorite summer co*cktail. While it typically includes a shot of rum, the mojito mocktail proves that alcohol is not necessary. This mocktail offers the same mint-lime flavor, it's just as easy to mix up, and everyone can enjoy its fresh taste. Thefamily-friendly beverageis a great addition to showers and parties, and a fantastic way to cool down on a hot summer day in the backyard.

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• 03 of 19

  Lime Rickey

  

  The lime rickey is a classic non-alcoholic drink perfect for outdoor parties. Just three ingredients and a lime wedge garnish make this the ideal way to quench your thirst on a hot July evening. It can easily be converted to a co*cktail if you wish—gin or tequila would be a wonderful pairing.

• 04 of 19

  Non Alcoholic Sherbet Punch

  

  This sherbet punch is packed with both frozen limemade and lime sherbert to deliver all the lime flavor. It is a favorite family recipe that has been enjoyed on many special occasions. It is also called a wedding punch, and it has a brilliant green color that can suit a variety of events, includingHalloween,showers, graduations, or anytime you need an easy, funpunchto satisfy a crowd—without alcohol.
  

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• 05 of 19

  Mexican Chelada Beer co*cktail

  

  Bright and bracing, the chelada is the ultimate summer drink. This classic Mexican beer co*cktail is the simpler, less spicy cousin of the michelada, and needs only 3 simple ingredients — beer, lime, and salt. It's a great Father's Day tipple, and always hits the spot when you are in the mood for something cold and light on warmer days.

• 06 of 19

  Spicy Ginger and Lime Sauce

  

  This sauce was inspired by Thai and Vietnamese flavors. This zesty sauce has amazing fresh flavors that are slightly tart, sweet, gingery, and definitely spicy. You may use it for dipping fresh spring rolls into it, for marinating either poultry or seafood, or also as acondiment for grilled meat and fishes.
  

• 07 of 19

  Creamy Avocado Lime Salad Dressing

  

  Fresh lime juice adds wonderful brightness to this essential avocado salad dressing. It's super creamy, but uses very little oil, thanks to the naturally rich texture of ripe avocado flesh. Ground cumin adds earthy balance, but you can leave it out for a simpler dressing.
  

• 08 of 19

  Nimbu ka Achaar (Lime Pickle)

  

  Trendy fermented foods are a restaurant secret for adding surprising twist to sandwiches, burgers, and even co*cktails. Jump on the pickling trend with this popular, East Indian recipe for quick-pickled lime. Enjoy the sour and spicy pickles in the traditional way over rice, or get creative and work them into other dishes.

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• 09 of 19

  Lime Agave Salad Dressing

  

  Add zest to salad greens with this light and lovely lime agave salad dressing. Dairy-free and vegan, with a sweet citrus flavor that can't be beat, it is ideal for dressing a spinach and strawberry salad, adding to buffet-style bean salads, and even steamed vegetables.

• 10 of 19

  Tahitian Poisson Cru (Marinated Raw Fish)

  

  Poisson cruis translated from French as "raw fish." In Tahitian, it is calledia ota(ee-ah oh-tah). It is generally considered the national dish of Tahitiand the islands of French Polynesia. With ceviche, the fish is "cooked" in the acidity provided by lime juice, whereas poke usually has Asian flavors, not Latin ones. Although poisson cru uses lime juice, the addition of coconut milk sets it apart from the other two preparations.

• 11 of 19

  Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

  

  Elote, also known as Mexican street corn, is salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy in every bite. It hits all the right flavor notes, especially hot off the grill in the summer months when fresh corn is at its peak and abundantly available at every market. It's a popular street food in Mexico and can be served as a snack orside dish
  

• 12 of 19

  Peruvian Ceviche

  

  Ceviche is a delicious, refreshing cold appetizer of raw seafood "cured" or "cooked" in highly acidic citrus juices. While some ceviches are mild in flavor, this classic Peruvian recipe packs a bold punch from a trio of fresh-squeezed citrus fruits, and a helping of spicy chile rocoto.

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• 13 of 19

  Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice

  

  Recreate the signature cilantro lime rice from Chipotle with our copycat recipe. The flavorful blend of tangy lime juice and zest, and chopped, fresh cilantro, livens up a simple pot of steamed white rice. Add it to your burritos, fold it into a bowl of beans to make a meal, or plate it with spiced meats at summer barbecues.

• 14 of 19

  Thai Chicken Stir-Fry With Coconut, Chili, and Lime

  

  Skip delivery and whip up this 20-minute Thai stir-fry that tastes like you ordered in. Tender strips of chicken mingle with green beans, mushrooms, bell peppers, and fresh basil in a zesty, lime-spiked sweet and sour sauce. Serve it over rice or vermicelli noodles for an everyday meal that will wow your family.

• 15 of 19

  Spiced Lime-Marinated Eye of Round Steaks

  

  Inspired by Cuban flavors, this grilled steak recipe is sure to satisfy a carnivore craving. An easy marinade of bright lime juice, flavored with earthy cumin and coriander, brings outstanding balance to inexpensive eye of round steaks, and tenderizes the meat to allow for quick cooking on the grill.

• 16 of 19

  Key Lime Pie

  

  Tart, sweet, creamy, and incredibly easy to make, classic key lime pie is a great addition to your summer baking. The popular Florida dessert features a crunchy graham cracker crust, and a silky lime filling that is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Bake one up in just 30 minutes, for an outstanding summer treat.

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• 17 of 19

  Key Lime Pie Fudge

  

  Key lime pie fudge turns the iconic pie into an easy snackable treat. Using white chocolate fudge, lime zest, and fresh juice, this recipe can be made and served at a party or given as a gift.

• 18 of 19

  French Lime Sorbet

  

  For those seeking a refreshing frozen treat, try this vibrant lime sorbet. The recipe is so easy to make at home and lighter in taste than cream-based popsicles or ice cream. It's the best way to cap off a summer cookout.

• 19 of 19

  Thai Rice Noodle Salad With Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

  

  This Thai rice noodle salad is fresh and flavorful, and it's quick to make, too. It featuresvermicelli rice noodlesand lots of fresh summer vegetables—feel free to add or substitute depending on what's available at your local market. You also have the option of tossing in cooked baby shrimp orcrispy tofu.

• Citrus Recipes
• Summer Recipes
• Thai Food