Lime

limón (MX) / มะนาว manao / chanh

Flavor and role

A green citrus with a sharper, slightly bitter sourness and aroma than lemon. The juice adds acidity; the peel (zest) adds fragrance.

Typical dishes and uses

Tacos, ceviche, served with pad thai and pho, pozole, white chicken chili, tom yum, guacamole

Substitutes

1 tbsp lime juice = 1 tbsp lemon juice (less sharp aroma). 1 lime gives about 2 tbsp (30ml) juice.

Storage

About 1 week at room temperature, 3–4 weeks in the fridge crisper. Squeezed juice keeps 3 days in the fridge, or freeze in ice cube trays for 3 months.

Main countries

Mexico · Thailand · Vietnam

Used in this book

Pad ThaiPho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)Tacos with GuacamoleCevicheWhite Chicken ChiliPozole RojoBandeja PaisaBánh Xèo (Vietnamese Crispy Sizzling Crêpes)Birria Tacos with ConsoméBún Chả (Hanoi Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles)Carne Asada BurritoCampfire Skillet NachosCơm Tấm Sườn Nướng (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop)Elote (Mexican Street Corn)Gado-GadoClassic GuacamoleHainanese chicken riceJerk ChickenKhao SoiCurry LaksaLarb Gai (Thai Minced Chicken Salad)Mohinga (Burmese Fish Noodle Soup)Nepali Chicken Momo with Tomato AcharMoqueca baianaNyama Choma (Kenyan Grilled Meat with Kachumbari)Pancit CantonCheese QuesadillasChicken Satay (Sate Ayam)Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)Soto AyamThieboudienne (Senegalese Fish and Rice)Tom Kha GaiTom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup)Thai Red Curry Coconut AlbóndigasReina Pepiada ArepasBandeja Paisa de Lujo with Carne en Polvo and Meaty ChicharrónBandeja Paisa Burrito with Hogao Salsa (Colombian × Mexican)Bandeja Paisa Loaded Fries with Avocado CremaBánh Mì Rice BowlCrispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut CreamKimchi Bánh Xèo with Pork Belly and Gochujang Dipping SauceCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlBibimbap Burritos with Gochujang-Lime MayoShort Rib and Shank Quesabirria TacosBirria Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggBirria Grilled Cheese with Consomé DipBossam TacosPico de Gallo and Avocado BruschettaCharcoal Bún Chả with Homemade Caramel and Crispy ShallotsBún Chả Burger with Pickled Carrot and Sriracha MayoCrispy Vermicelli Cake with Bún Chả MeatballsCrispy Rice Burrito BowlChorizo and Crispy Potato Breakfast Burrito with Charred JalapeñoCarne Asada Nachos with Fire-Charred SalsaChorizo Chili Walking NachosClassic Ceviche with Leche de TigreNikkei Salmon Ceviche with Soy and SesameShrimp Ceviche Tostadas with Avocado CremaChana Masala Cheese ToastieChar Siu Tacos with Charred Pineapple SalsaChicken Adobo Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Lime CremaHoney Garlic Adobo WingsChicken Biryani BurritoBiryani Chicken Rice BowlChicken Karahi TacosChicken Nanban Tacos with Jalapeño-Lime TartareChicken Tikka Masala QuesadillasTexas Bowl of RedRestaurant-style chili crab with fried mantouChili crab spaghettiCoconut Lemongrass Clam ChowderCharcoal Cơm Tấm Sườn Chả with Steamed Egg MeatloafCơm Tấm Tacos with Lemongrass Pork and Scallion OilKhao Soi-Style Coconut Curry Dak-kalguksuDakgalbi Cheese QuesadillasThai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaTom Yum Egg Drop Soup (Thai x Chinese)Husk-Grilled Elote with Chipotle Butter and Roasted Garlic CremaMiso Butter Elote with Aonori and KatsuobushiElote Cheese QuesadillaThree-Chile Enchiladas GratinadasChicken Enchilada Rice BowlFalafel Banh Mi with Quick Pickles and Sriracha Tahini MayoMexican-style fattoush with tortilla crisps and avocadoChipotle Feijoada ChiliAmok Moules Marinière with BaguetteBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoThai Red Curry Coconut FiskesuppeFul Medames Huevos RancherosGado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceGado-Gado Rice Paper RollsCrispy Smashed Potato Gado-Gado PlatterThai Lemongrass GambasMexican-Style Jalapeño-Lime GazpachoSabzi Crispy Rice BowlCrispy Rice Paper Shrimp DumplingsGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PasteGreen Curry Shrimp Spaghetti (Thai-Italian)Green Curry Fried Rice with Crispy Fried EggFire-Charred Guacamole with Homemade TotoposWasabi-Miso Guacamole with Sesame Gyoza ChipsGuac Smash Toast with Jammy Egg and Charred CornGyros al Pastor Tacos with Charred Pineapple and Lime TzatzikiCrispy Pajeon Chips with Gochujang-Lime MayoSlow-poached Hainanese chicken riceChicken rice risotto with ginger-scallion gremolataHainanese chicken sandoChicken Harira Tortilla SoupPodi Idli Fries with Coconut Yogurt DipGreen Chile Lamb and Potato Stew (Irish × New Mexican)Thai-Style Coconut Chicken and Squash CurryPimento-Smoked Charcoal Jerk ChickenJerk Chicken Rasta PastaJerk Chicken Puff Patties with Mango-Lime DipJeyuk Tacos with Lime SlawToasted-Spice Kelewele with Roasted Groundnuts and Lime Chilli SaltChorizo-Jalapeño Khachapuri (Georgian x Mexican)Chiang Mai Khao Soi with Hand-Made PasteKhao Soi Curry UdonKhao Soi Fried RiceKung Pao Chicken Tacos with Lime SlawPrawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaPrawn Laksa SpaghettiLaksa Butter Fried RiceHand-Chopped Larb Gai with Lemongrass Khao Khua and Crispy Chicken SkinLarb Gai Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Sriracha CreamCrispy Larb Gai Rice Paper Dumplings with Lime-Chilli DipLomo Saltado Burrito with Ají Amarillo CremaLomo Saltado Loaded Fries with Huancaína SauceLu Rou Tacos with Quick Cucumber PicklesChorizo and Jalapeño Queso MacCrispy Coconut Sticky Rice Cakes with Mango-Lime SalsaMysore Masala DosaCrispy Dosa Chaat BowlMassaman Chicken Loaded FriesMenemen Breakfast TacosThai Red Curry Coconut Lentil SoupMexican-Style Torta de MilanesaMofongo Relleno with Shrimp CriolloCheese-Stuffed Mofongo Bites with Mayo-KetchupMohinga with Fish-Bone Broth, Toasted Rice and Crispy ShallotsMohinga Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggMohinga Fried Rice with Toasted Chickpea CrunchJuicy Pork Jhol MomoMomo Smash Tacos with Achar MayoFish and prawn moqueca with pirãoThai red curry moqueca with lemongrassShrimp moqueca rice bowl with dendê farofaThai Red Curry Coconut CouscousNasi Goreng Spesial with Prawns and Crispy ShallotsCrispy Nasi Goreng Rice BitesMango Lassi New York Cheesecake with Cardamom and PistachioDry-Brined Goat Nyama Choma with Charred Pili-Pili and Sukuma WikiNyama Choma Gua Bao with Kachumbari Slaw and Pili-Pili Mayo (Kenyan x Taiwanese)Crispy Ugali Fries with Nyama Choma BitesHand-Chopped Pork Kra Pao with Crispy Fried BasilPad Thai Goong with Shrimp-Head OilGochujang Bulgogi Pad ThaiCrispy Pad Thai Rice Paper RollsTom Yum Seafood PaellaCrispy Pork Pancit Canton-BihonCrispy Pancit Nests with Garlic ShrimpCoconut Panna Cotta with Lime MangoJalapeño-Cheddar Cheese Bread Bites with Chipotle Honey ButterPão de Queijo Waffle with Egg, Avocado and Chili HoneyPandan Coconut Pastéis de NataGochujang bravasPav Bhaji Cheese QuesadillasMango Coconut Lime PavlovaPeri-Peri Chicken TacosPhilly Cheesesteak Quesadillas with Chipotle CremaPhở Đặc Biệt with 4-Hour Oxtail BrothPhở French Dip SandwichPhở-Spiced Beef Fried RicePicanha Cheese Steak Sandwich with Green MayoPozole Rojo Especial (Bone-In Broth and Chile de Árbol Salsa)Gochujang Chicken Pozole (Korean-Mexican)Pozole Quesatacos with Red Consommé DipGochujang Pulled Pork Tacos with Kimchi SlawKimchi Bacon Quesadillas with Gochujang CremaTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsRendang beef tacosCrispy rendang wingsRogan Josh Birria-Style TacosChino-Cubano Ropa Vieja Lo MeinRopa Vieja Loaded TostonesGochujang Pork Belly Tacos with Kimchi SalsaTom Kha Coconut SamgyetangCharcoal Sate Madura with Fried-Peanut SauceChicken Satay Tacos with Acar PicklesSatay Chicken Rice Bowl with Crispy ShallotsScallion Pancake QuesadillaTom Yum Shabu-ShabuChicken Shawarma TacosClear-Broth Pork Rib Sinigang with Fresh Tamarind ExtractSinigang Tamarind WingsTam Thai with Grilled PrawnsSom Tam Chicken TacosSom Tam Summer RollsSoto Ayam Lamongan with KoyaSoto Ayam RamenSoto Fried Rice with a Golden Broth ShotMasala Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mint RaitaSri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry UdonSri Lankan Curry Chicken Cheese Toastie with Pol SambolTom Yum Sundubu JjigaeCharcoal Suya with Hand-Toasted Yaji and Tomato RelishSuya Steak Crunch Salad with Peanut-Lime DressingSweet and Sour Pork Tacos with Pineapple SalsaMexican Street-Corn TabboulehTacos al PastorBulgogi Tacos with Kimchi SlawCrispy Smash TacosShrimp Tempura Tacos with Lime Sriracha MayoRestaurant-Style Thieboudienne with Fish Stock and NététouRof Salmon Tomato Takikomi Gohan (Senegalese x Japanese)Thieb Arancini with Rof Fish and Tamarind-Chilli MayoThit Kho Ramen (Caramel Pork Belly and Jammy Eggs)Tom Kha Gai with Quick Bone Stock and Charred AromaticsTom Kha Coconut Miso RamenTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice BowlCreamy Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon with Shrimp-Head StockTom Yum Shrimp Cream SpaghettiCrispy Tom Yum Fried Rice with Jammy EggTwice-Cooked Pork Tacos with Pickled OnionCharred Poblano White Chicken Chili with Seared ThighsThai Coconut Lemongrass White Chicken ChiliWhite Chicken Chili Baked Taquitos with Lime CremaYakitori Tacos with Lime Slaw and Shichimi Mayo

Updated 2026-10-10