The best way to zest a lime and how to use lime zest in culinary recipes! A small amount of zest can bring a subtle element of brightness and freshness to your meals.
Also check out how to zest a lemon to use in recipes with lemon juice.
What is lime zest?
It’s essentially what the peel of the lime becomes once it has been shredded. It adds a tart brightness to any dish. Lime zest is great for adding a punchy tang to desserts like our key lime pie or as a garnish to cocktails with lime juice, like a Moscow mule. You can also add it to savory recipes like our yogurt tahini dip to add vibrancy in flavor and color.
How to Zest a Lime with a Microplane
Microplane’s are the most efficient tool for lemon-zesting. To use a Microplane, follow these steps:
- Hold the microplane in one hand, and the lime in the other.
- Drag the lime across the holes of the microplane, turning the lemon as you go to avoid the bitter pith.
- Repeat until youโve produced the desired amount of zest.
How to Zest a Lime with a Vegetable Peeler
Follow these steps when using a vegetable peeler:
- Using the peeler, carefully remove the outermost layer of yellow rind.
- Mince the peel into small pieces using a sharp knife.
One lime will yield about three teaspoons of zest.
Ways to Use Lime Zest
Use zest to add fragrance, flavor and color to a dessert, savory dish or cocktails!
Infuse Sugar – Makes the most beautiful flavor!
Add it to Cocktails – Add it to any cocktails that have lime juice like our coconut margarita or our sergeant pepper cocktail.
Add it to Pasta
Add it to Savory Dishes – Our coconut rice is great recipe that uses it!
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How to Zest a Lime
Ingredients
- 1 large lime
Instructions
- Hold the Microplane in one hand, and the lime in the other.
- Drag the lime across the holes of the Microplane, turning the lemon as you go to avoid the bitter pith.
- Repeat until youโve produced the desired amount of zest.