Lime Curd

Name: Lime Curd
Prep time: PT-481160H32M45S
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: PT-481160H32M45S
Ingredients: ¼ cup sugar; Zest of 2 limes; 2 large eggs; ¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice; 2 tablespoons cold salted butter** see note; Drop of green food coloring, optional

November 12, 2024Brianna

Lime curd is delicious. And my husband is obsessed. I think its great on toast or the filling of a cake. It’s yummy plain, or as a lemon curd replacement if you want a slightly different citrus taste.

Also, for myself, I don’t add green food coloring to this lime curd when I make it for my family because we are trying to eliminate artifical food colors from our home where possible to help our ADHD daughter out, but for Google image searches and ranking it has to be green to be seen. So, forgive me this, and you can add the food coloring to make it green like lime or leave it be and it’ll be yellow-ish. Both will taste the same.

Lime Curd

Print Recipe

This lime curd is deliciously tart and irresistibly smooth. It is the perfect balance of sweet and citrus. Made with fresh squeezed lime juice, eggs, sugar, and butter, it’s the ideal topping when you’re looking for citrus but want something other than lemon. Lime curd is great for cakes, tarts, or simply enjoyed with a spoon! This easy curd takes just 10 minutes and always leaves my family asking for more.

Prep Time: 5 minutes active +15 minutes inactive cooling time +2 hours of chilling time
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes active
Yield: makes about 2/3 cup lime curd 1x

Ingredients

Scale

¼ cup sugar

Zest of 2 limes

2 large eggs

¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice

2 tablespoons cold salted butter** see note

Drop of green food coloring, optional

Instructions

In a small saucepan add the sugar, lime zest, and eggs. Whisk until combined. Add the lime juice and whisk again. Place the pan on the stove over medium-low heat and whisk continually for about 5 minutes until it is thickened and coats the back of a spoon.

Remove from heat and add the butter. Stir continually until the butter is melted.

Lime curd is yellow, naturally. If you want it to be green, add a drop of green food coloring.

Let cool for 15 minutes before putting it in an airtight container in the fridge until it’s cold.

Notes

Step-by-step pictures and Frequently Asked Questions below recipe card.

If you use unsalted butter in the curd, just add a pinch of salt.

Keywords: lime curd, citrus curd, citrus dessert, lime curd pie, lemon curd replacement, lemon curd alternative

Frequently Asked Questions – Lime Curd

Why does this recipe for lime curd include egg whites?

Most recipes for curd don't include egg whites, just the yolk. But I created this recipe so there is no waste of egg whites.

Should my butter be cold when I add it at the end?

Adding cold butter at the end of making lime curd will ensure the silky smooth finish you desire! The heat from the curd will melt the butter easily.

How do I know when my lime curd is done?

If you have a thermometer, your curd is done at 170 F. If you don't have a thermometer you know it is done when it coats the back of a spoon. Do this by dipping the back of a spoon in the curd and swipe your finger through the middle of the spoon to wipe a bit of curd off. If the curd stays put and doesn't slide into the spot you swiped off, it is done.