{"id":1512105,"date":"2020-06-22T09:06:58","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T14:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1512105"},"modified":"2024-10-10T13:19:55","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T18:19:55","slug":"key-lime-vs-lime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/key-lime-vs-lime\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Lime vs Lime: Is There Really a Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"Limes are a summer staple. Just a splash of this tart juice is all you need to bring out the bright flavors of salads<\/a> and sooth the savory notes in grilled food. Not to mention, lime can be refreshing in cocktails, limeade<\/a> and desserts!\r\n\r\nBut what if your recipe calls for Key limes\u2014and you can't find them at the grocery store? Is it okay to use regular limes instead?\r\nThe Difference Between Limes and Key Limes<\/h3>\r\nWhat Are Key Limes?<\/h4>\r\nKey limes\u2014also known as Mexican limes or West Indies limes\u2014are small, spherical limes that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. They're light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes. Their skin is also very thin, which means they don't store well. It's best to keep them out of the fridge and use them within two days of purchasing.\r\n\r\nKey lime juice is prized for being tart and super-aromatic. You can use them in place of regular limes in any recipe, but they're an ideal choice for sweetened-up desserts like Key lime pie<\/a>, cupcakes or thumbprint cookies<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThese limes might get their name from the Florida Keys, but they're grown all of over Florida and in some areas of California. They only grow in the U.S. between June and September, though. In Mexico, they enjoy a year-round season, but their delicate nature means transporting them to the U.S. can be challenging.\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tKey Lime Recipes That Go Beyond Pie<\/div>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 17<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\r\n[dam-video dam-id=\"26424\" type_of_player=\"jw\" \/]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nKey Lime Cream Pie<\/a>\r\nI am very proud of this luscious no-bake beauty. It's so cool and refreshing\u2014perfect for any summer potluck or get-together. Wherever I take this pie, it quickly disappears, with everyone asking for the recipe. It's one of my favorite key lime recipes! \u2014Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida\r\n\r\n[embed_shop_button shop_btn_text=\"Go to Recipe\" shop_btn_url=\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/key-lime-cream-pie\/\" \/]\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Pound Cake<\/a>Key lime pound cake with cream cheese frosting is a true pound cake, using a full pound of butter. But it is lightened and brightened with aromatic lime zest and tart lime juice both in the cake and the frosting.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Pie Balls<\/a>Every dessert becomes more fun when it's turned into a ball, and these irresistible Key lime pie balls are no exception.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Blondie Bars<\/a>Here\u2019s my tropical take on a beloved treat. These Key lime bars combine the taste of the classic pie with a blondie batter and cream cheese frosting. You can make a thicker crust if desired. \u2014Kristin LaBoon, Austin, TexasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Cheesecake<\/a>I modified this old family recipe to use healthier ingredients. The texture is so smooth and light. It is a favorite dessert that is enjoyed by all.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>No-Bake Key Lime Pie<\/a>A great pie doesn't have to take all day. We'll show you how to stir up a no-bake Key lime pie in just a few minutes. It's refreshing, tart and the perfect no-bake dessert for a warm day.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Butter Cookies<\/a>I love limes so much that if a recipe calls for lemons I almost always use limes instead. With their pretty green color, these are perfect for Christmas\u2014you can also make them as sandwich cookies and use lime curd for the filling.\u2014Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, MissouriGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Cupcakes<\/a>I made these light, tangy cupcakes on a chilly day to remind me of our vacation in southern Florida, where Key lime pies are star attractions. \u2014Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Margarita Tres Leches Cake<\/a>The first time I ever had tres leches cake I felt as if I were in heaven. I have made it at home using several techniques and flavors, and this margarita twist on the classic is my favorite. \u2014Laurie Lufkin, Essex, MassachusettsGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie<\/a>Summer is peak season for Key limes\u2014a must for this pie\u2019s distinctive sweet-tart flavor. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow layer on top. This makes it stand out as a crowd favorite. \u2014Judy Castranova, New Bern, North CarolinaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Trifle<\/a>When I saw a recipe for banana cream pie trifle I was inspired to invent a version than spun off my favorite pie, Key lime. My family loved it! Some friends got to try it, too, and they enjoyed immensely as well. \u2014Rebecah Lytle, Ocala, FloridaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Coconut Key Lime Thumbprints<\/a>This is the cookie recipe I created for the Las Vegas World Food Championships in 2013. It's similar to a shortbread thumbprint cookie, but with lots more personality. \u2014Amy Freeze, Avon Park, FloridaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Frozen Key Lime Delight<\/a>In the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it tastes like sunshine. \u2014Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South CarolinaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Fluffy Key Lime Pie<\/a>For a taste of paradise, try this no-bake Key lime pie recipe. It's low in fat, sugar and fuss. It truly is the best Key lime pie recipe ever! \u2014Frances VanFossan, Warren, MichiganGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Bread<\/a>This easy Key lime bread is a sweet and tangy twist on classic quick bread. The glazed loaf is perfect for breakfast, dessert or a midday snack.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Pie<\/a>We created this refreshing mini pie with a homemade crumb crust and a pudding-like lime filling. If you can\u2019t find Key lime juice, regular lime juice works just fine. \u2014Taste Recipes Test KitchenGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Pie Cupcakes<\/a>I bake over 200 of these cupcakes for our church suppers, and we always run out. If you can't find Key lime juice, use lime juice. Just add a tad more sugar. \u2014Julie Herrera-Lemler, Rochester, MinnesotaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\r\nWhat Are Limes?<\/h4>\r\nThe limes you'll find at the grocery store are called Persian limes or Tahiti limes. These larger limes are oval-shaped, dark green and juicy. Each lime contains two to three tablespoons of juice (compared to Key lime's two to three teaspoons). Their thick skin helps them keep longer than Key limes, and they're good for about a month in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.\r\n\r\nPersian limes are acidic with a tangy flavor, but they lack the floral bouquet that accompanies Key limes. They're a great substitute for vinegar in marinades or homemade salad dressings<\/a>, and their juice and zest boost other flavors in savory recipes like lime-chipotle carnitas<\/a>.\r\n\r\nMexico and Brazil grow most of the world's Persian limes, but they're also grown in the U.S. in Florida. Because they have thicker skin, they're easier to ship, so you'll find them available year-round.\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRecipes Made with Fresh Limes<\/div>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 42<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Margarita Floats<\/a>On a hot afternoon, what could be better than a cold margarita float? The addition of creamy ice cream really takes this treat to the next level. \u2014Teri Rasey, Cadillac, MichiganGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Margarita Cake<\/a>This margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. These other margarita dessert recipes<\/a> are delicious, too. ?\u2014Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lime-in-the-Coconut Almond Bark<\/a>I love the combination of flavors in this tropical treat, and it takes mere minutes to make. If you need something for a school or church bake sale, this will get you out of the kitchen in a flash. \u2014Julie Beckwith, Crete, IllinoisGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Roasted Lime Chicken<\/a>The subtle citrus flavor infused throughout this moist and baked lime chicken makes the most-requested dish for family dinners. It's the ideal way to use fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley. \u2014Kathy Lewis-Martinez, Spring Valley, CaliforniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Mojito<\/a>Mojitos aren't just for beach vacations! With this mojito recipe, you can have a refreshing rum cocktail any time, any place.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Cream Pie<\/a>I am very proud of this luscious no-bake beauty. It's so cool and refreshing\u2014perfect for any summer potluck or get-together. Wherever I take this pie, it quickly disappears, and everyone asks for the recipe. \u2014Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, FloridaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chimichurri Steak<\/a>This flavorful chimichurri steak recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. Spoon the bright, zesty, herbaceous sauce over any type of grilled steak, like flat iron, top sirloin, ribeye, flank or skirt steak.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Coconut, Lime and Pistachio Cookies<\/a>Perfect for freezing, these cookies look like Christmas but taste like summer. \u2014Barbara Crusan, Pass Christian, Mississippi\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Fresh Lime Margaritas<\/a>This basic fresh margarita recipe is easy to modify to your tastes. Try it frozen or with strawberries. \u2014Taste Recipes Test KitchenGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nWant to add a slice of lime to your margarita glass? Make sure you know how to cut a lime<\/a> the right way.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Easy Grilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime Butter<\/a>Grilling corn in the husks is so easy. There's no need to remove the silk and tie the husk closed before grilling. Just soak, grill and add your favorite flavored butter. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon-Lime Bars<\/a>This easy lime bar recipe is a dessert that will wow your guests. I baked these bars for a luncheon on a hot summer day. A gentleman made his way to the kitchen to compliment the cook who made them. \u2014Holly Wilkins, Lake Elmore, VermontGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Bloody Maria<\/a>Tequila, lime and jalapenos give the brunch classic a fresh Mexican twist.\u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WIsconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lime-Rosemary Shrimp Skewers<\/a>I had a big bunch of rosemary, so I turned the stems into skewers for grilling shrimp. Serve with rice or couscous and lime wedges. \u2014Leah Lenz, Los Angeles, California Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Pound Cake<\/a>Key lime pound cake with cream cheese frosting is a true pound cake, using a full pound of butter. But it is lightened and brightened with aromatic lime zest and tart lime juice both in the cake and the frosting.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pressure-Cooker Spicy Lime Chicken<\/a>This tender chicken with light lime flavor is a natural filling for tacos, but my son Austin also loves it spooned over cooked rice and sprinkled with his favorite taco toppings. \u2014Christine Hair, Odessa, FloridaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes<\/a>This deliciously different dessert is made in the slow cooker instead of in the oven. When done, add final touches to the cooled pineapple shortcake jars and serve. \u2014Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Cilantro Lime Slaw<\/a>No mayo required for this colorful cilantro lime slaw! It\u2019s perfect for tacos or burgers or as a fresh side dish for anything coming off the grill.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Frozen Margarita Mousse<\/a>Who doesn't love a frozen margarita? This creamy frozen mousse combines ready-to-drink margarita mix and whipped topping (you could use this whipped topping substitute<\/a> instead). It's easy to put together and the freezer does all the work. Garnish with additional crushed pretzels and kosher salt to enhance the sweet and salty flavor. \u2014Debbie Glasscock, Conway, ArkansasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pressure-Cooker Lime Cheesecake<\/a>I love my pressure cooker and get a kick out of creating recipes for it. When I wanted to try a cheesecake, I did some research and put together my own version. Success! It not only was beautiful with no cracks but also tasted absolutely scrumptious. \u2014Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Easy Seafood Salad<\/a>Using just a few ingredients, this seafood salad puts the shrimp and crab front and center. Unlike some seafood recipes, this one is approachable for any homecook.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sunshine Lime Rickey<\/a>This is my re-creation of the lime rickey sodas served at my favorite burger place. I even tried a version using my own homemade bitters. \u2014Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Blondie Bars<\/a>Here\u2019s my tropical take on a beloved treat. These Key lime bars combine the taste of the classic pie with a blondie batter and cream cheese frosting. You can make a thicker crust if desired. \u2014Kristin LaBoon, Austin, Texas