Learn all about drying limes in a food dehydrator or in an oven. Dehydrating lime is a simple project for adults and kids and makes amazing additions to sweet and savory dishes.
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Dehydrated limes are a great ingredient to have on hand for sweet and savory dishes as well as homemade drinks.
The best part of drying limes yourself? The process is so simple, and you only need one ingredient – fresh limes!
Looking for more dehydrator tutorials? Check out our posts on Dehydrating Apples, Dehydrating Marshmallows, Dehydrating Onions, Drying Potatoes, Drying Peaches, Drying Peppers, Drying Pears, Homemade Tomato Powder, and Dehydrating Tomatoes.
And you’ll love these drying herb tutorials: Dehydrating Oregano, Drying Chives, Dehydrating Mint, Dehydrating Garlic, How to Dry Basil, and Drying Rosemary.
How Do You Make Dried Limes at Home?
There are two methods you can use to dehydrate limes and other kinds of citrus – the dehydrator and the oven. I’ll walk you through both of the options in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Between you and me, my preference is always to use my dehydrator. It’s energy-efficient, it doesn’t heat up my house, I can dry a lot at once, and I know it will consistently dry my limes.
How Long Does it Take to Dehydrate Limes?
Drying conditions and methods will determine the total drying time, but on average, it takes 2-12 hours to dry citrus in the dehydrator.
How Do I Know When Dried Limes Are Done?
Lime slices are done when they don’t feel wet anymore (2-12 hours) and they feel brittle. Some of the slices will finish before the others on the same tray. Remove those that are done and set them aside.
Even finished citrus might feel a bit sticky when warm. Allow the slices to fully cool for an hour and then fold a slice between two fingers.
If the cooled citrus slices aren’t sticky/tacky and they feel hard and brittle, they are done. There should be no “give” to each slice.
Store dried lime slices in an air-tight container like a mason jar. If you see any condensation inside the container after a day or so, the limes were not dried long enough.
It would be best to store them in the fridge or freezer at this point or put them back in the dehydrator for another few hours.
How Long Do Dehydrated Limes Last?
Dried limes will last for 12-18 months if stored in a cool dry place.
Please make sure the lime slices are fully cooled before putting them into an air-tight container. As they cool they will release heat that could result in condensation and eventually cause the limes to mold.
For long-term storage, you’ll want to use something that is air-tight to prevent condensation from accumulating in the container. A simple mason jar with a lid is my favorite container.
To rehydrate dehydrated limes, cover dried lime slices in cool water and soak for 1-2 hours.
How to Use Dried Lime
The possibilities for dehydrated limes are endless! For sweet options, you can use them to top desserts like this gorgeous Lemon Tart. Or combine the slices with sugar in a food processor to make lime sugar. Sprinkle it over these Raspberry Lemon Creme Brulees.
For savory options, use them anywhere you’d use preserved lemons, like in Dry Brined Chicken, on fish, casseroles, or stews and soups. Or, pulse in a food processor with kosher salt to make lime salt.
You could also use them in Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice if you don’t have any fresh lime zest on hand. Tuck a few slices into this Mango Pico de Gallo or Cilantro Chimichurri and let it rest in the fridge for a few hours. Remove slices prior to serving.
Use dried lime slices in (or to garnish) water, tea, lemonade/limeade, or Instant Pot iced tea.
You can also add them to bowls of cool water to act as a citrus bath to prevent browning when Canning Peaches, Canning Pears, Canning Apricots, or Freezing Apples.
From a non-edible standpoint, they would work great in potpourri or in decorations.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- For the evenest cuts, use a mandoline or a serrated bread knife. The serrated knife works much better than a chef’s or paring knife.
- Avoid the temptation to increase the heat on the dehydrator or oven to speed up the process. Low and slow wins in the race on this one.
- Remove the seeds if you plan to grind the dried limes into powder. If you’re drying them for decoration or to flavor dishes, it is fine to leave the seeds in while drying.
Drying Limes
Instructions
- Clean whole limes with warm soapy water. Rinse and pat dry.
- Using a serrated (bread) knife or mandoline, carefully slice thinly (~1/4 in).
- Arrange the slices on dehydrator trays so that there is space around each slice, and the slices are not touching.
- Set dehydrator to the "fruit/vegetables" setting (135˚F or 57˚C degrees) and dry for 2-12 hours. Rotate trays every few hours.
- The length of time they need to dry out will vary based on how many trays you have going on at once, and how thick the lime slices are.
- Lime slices are done when they don’t feel wet anymore (2-12 hours) and they feel brittle. Some of the slices will finish before the others on the same tray. Remove those that are done and set them aside.
Notes
- Avoid the temptation to increase the heat on the dehydrator or oven to speed up the process. Low and slow wins in the race on this one.
- Dried limes and other citrus will last for 12-18 months if stored in a cool dry place.
- To rehydrate dehydrated limes, cover dried lime slices in cool water and soak for 1-2 hours.
- Follow the cleaning and slicing instructions above and then place lime slices on baking drying racks set into baking sheets.
- Place in the oven at the lowest temperature possible (usually 140-170 degrees F) and prop open the door with the handle of a wooden spoon. This allows condensation to escape instead of just settling back onto the limes.
- Bake for 3-6 hours.
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