How to Squeeze Limes for Juice

Squeeze limes for lime juice to add to recipes.

Whether you are making a tropical drink or cooking a meal with them, limes can add a zesty and original flavor to foods and beverages. Juicing limes is similar to juicing other citrus fruits and cooks have more than one option for squeezing limes. It's best to prepare your limes for juicing to make sure you get the most juice out of every fresh lime.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh limes
• Colander
• Cutting board
• Paring knife
• Bowl
• Hand juicer (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove limes from the refrigerator approximately 1 hour prior to juicing them so the limes warm to room temperature. Alternatively, microwave a lime for approximately 15 seconds to warm it slightly.

2. Wash the limes then place them into the colander. Run cool water over the limes to remove surface germs and bacteria.

3. Place the limes onto the counter and use your hand to roll each lime back and forth firmly on the counter. This will prepare the limes to release more juice.

4. Place a lime onto the cutting board and slice it in half width-wise across its center with the paring knife.

5. Hold one lime half with its cut side against the palm of your hand. Hold your hand over the bowl with the cut side facing up and squeeze the lime with your hand to extract the lime juice. As you squeeze the lime, the juice will run out the bottom of your hand. The seeds will stay inside the lime without falling into the lime juice.

6. Repeat with the other limes until you have all the juice you need. An average lime will yield approximately 2 tbsp. of lime juice and it will take about four limes to make 4 oz. of lime juice.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use a hand juicer after you cut the limes in half. Hand juicers vary in style, but generally, they all have a cone protruding from its center. To juice limes, hold the juicer over the bowl and push the cut side of the lime down firmly onto the cone while twisting the lime back and forth.

References

• What's Cooking America: Juicing Limes