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.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time4 hourshrs
Total Time4 hourshrs10 minutesmins
Course: How To
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dehydrated limes, dehydrating limes, drying citrus, how to dehydrate limes, how to dry limes
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.
Oven-Drying Instructions:
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.