Honey and Lime: Dressings, Marinades and Bright Drinks

Why honey and lime work

Lime juice is more aromatic and slightly more bitter than lemon, with a floral, almost herbal zing. Honey softens its acidity and carries the flavor further, coating food so the lime taste lingers. The balance of sweet and sour is the backbone of many great dishes and drinks.

Lime zest adds even more aroma without extra sourness, so use both juice and zest when you can.

The basic honey lime ratio

These ratios are a good starting point:

Honey lime dressing

Whisk two tablespoons of lime juice, one tablespoon of honey, three tablespoons of olive or avocado oil, a pinch of salt and a little lime zest. Add chopped cilantro or a pinch of chili flakes if you like. Use it on slaw, black bean salad, grain bowls, avocado salads and grilled vegetables.

Our honey vinaigrette guide explains how to balance any dressing.

Honey lime chicken or shrimp

Mix two tablespoons of honey, three tablespoons of lime juice, two minced garlic cloves, a tablespoon of oil, salt and a pinch of chili. Marinate chicken for 30 minutes to a few hours, or shrimp for just 15 to 20 minutes, since the acid can make seafood mushy. Grill, broil or pan-sear, and brush on a little extra glaze at the end.

Honey can burn over high heat, so watch closely and turn often.

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt and chili to taste

Honey and lime fruit salad

Toss mango, pineapple, watermelon, papaya or berries with a drizzle of honey and lime juice. Add lime zest, fresh mint and a pinch of chili powder or Tajín for a Mexican-style twist. The lime keeps cut fruit from browning and makes the flavors pop.

USDA MyPlate encourages whole fruit, and a light honey lime dressing makes a bowl of it more tempting.

Drinks with honey and lime

Make a simple honey lime syrup by stirring equal parts honey and warm water until dissolved, then adding an equal amount of fresh lime juice. Use it for limeade, sparkling water, iced tea or mocktails. Add mint for a mojito-style mocktail, or ginger for a spicy cooler.

Honey dissolves poorly in cold liquids, so always mix it with a little warm water first.

Southeast Asian-style honey lime sauce

In Thai and Vietnamese cooking, lime is balanced with sugar, fish sauce and chili. Swap some of the sugar for honey to make a dipping sauce for spring rolls or a dressing for noodle salads: two tablespoons of lime juice, one tablespoon of fish sauce, one tablespoon of honey, a little water, garlic and chili.

Honey lime desserts

Honey and lime brighten yogurt, cheesecake and sorbet. Stir lime zest and honey into Greek yogurt for a quick dessert. Bake a key lime-style pie with honey replacing some of the sugar, or drizzle honey lime syrup over grilled pineapple.

Which honey suits lime

Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida groves, shares a citrus character with lime and is the most natural match. Raw Clover Honey, harvested in New York State, is clean and mild, letting lime lead in drinks. Raw Wildflower Honey adds depth to marinades.

Limes and sunshine: a safety tip

Lime juice contains compounds called furocoumarins that can react with sunlight on the skin. Squeezing limes outdoors and then spending time in the sun can cause a painful rash or blisters, sometimes called margarita dermatitis. A Mayo Clinic report described this reaction.

Wash your hands well after squeezing limes, especially before going outside.

Choosing and juicing limes

Choose limes that feel heavy for their size and give slightly when squeezed. Roll them firmly on the counter before cutting to release more juice. One lime usually gives about one to two tablespoons of juice. Key limes are smaller, more aromatic and more sour than common Persian limes.

Storing honey lime mixtures

Honey lime dressing and syrup keep in the fridge for about five days. Shake or stir before using. Marinades that have touched raw meat should be thrown away or boiled before being used as a sauce.

The takeaway

Honey and lime make a bright, balanced pair for dressings, marinades, fruit and drinks. Start with one part honey to two parts lime, use zest for aroma, and wash your hands after squeezing limes on sunny days.

Honey for your lime recipes

Try Raw Orange Blossom Honey and Raw Clover Honey, both never heated above hive temperature. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Visit our shop.