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This is how to make your own lime powder. Fresh lime powder adds bright citrus flavor to drinks, marinades, baked treats, and homemade seasoning blends. Making lime powder in a dehydrator is an easy way to use extra limes while keeping that fresh lime taste ready in your pantry. Thin lime slices dry slowly at a low temperature until they become crisp enough to blend into a fine powder.

Homemade lime powder also keeps the natural citrus oils from the peel, which gives recipes a stronger lime flavor than bottled juice. Once you start using dehydrated lime powder, it becomes one of those simple kitchen staples you reach for all the time.

I couldn’t wait to share this lime powder recipe with you. I’m always looking for ways to use my dehydrator for making pantry ingredients. Lime powder is handy to sprinkle into salad dressings, taco seasoning, smoothies, and even making lime sugar. I like that it takes just a few minutes to prep, and the dehydrator does most of the work while the kitchen fills with a fresh citrus scent.

Why you will love this recipe

You can stock up on fresh limes when grocery stores run sales and turn them into homemade lime powder that lasts for months in an airtight jar. Since the dehydrator removes the moisture slowly, the finished powder keeps a bright lime taste that works in both sweet and savory recipes.

Ingredients For This Recipe

You will need about 6 dehydrated limes to make 1/2 cup of lime powder, depending on the size of the limes. The limes I used were quite large and gave me almost exactly 1/2 cup of powder.

6 dehydrated limes

Cut The Limes The Same Size

Thin lime slices dry faster in the dehydrator because less moisture stays trapped inside the fruit. Try to keep the slices close to the same thickness so the limes dry evenly and finish around the same time.

How To Make This Recipe

If you have never dehydrated limes before, don’t worry, it’s really simple once you know the steps. I have a full tutorial that walks you through how to dehydrate limes. It’s a great starting point if you are new to dehydrating and want a little extra help before making this lime powder.

How To Dehydrate Limes

Step 1

Wash and dry the limes really well before slicing them into very thin rounds about 1/8 inch thick. Lay the lime slices in a single layer on your dehydrator trays.

Step 2

Dry the lime slices until they are completely crisp with no soft or sticky spots left in the center. Set your dehydrator it at 125F and dry them for about 10-12 hours. Check the slices after several hours and rotate trays if needed. The slices should easily snap apart once fully dried. Let completely cool before grinding.

Step 3

Before grinding the limes, tear them up into smaller pieces so that your spice grinder does not have to work so hard to get them into a powder.

Step 4

Add the dried lime pieces to a spice grinder or food processor and blend until you get a fine powder. I’m using a Cuisinart Spice Grinder for this and it really works fantastic.

Step 5

Use right away or transfer the lime powder to an airtight jar. Before storing your lime powder long term, it’s a good idea to condition it for a few days first. Add the powder to a clean jar with a lid and give it a shake once or twice a day to help distribute any remaining moisture.

Make sure the lime powder is fully dry before storing it since any leftover moisture can lead to mold forming in the jar. The powder should feel light, free flowing, and never damp or sticky when you press it between your fingers.

Tips For Making Lime Powder

Use limes that feel firm and heavy since they tend to have more juice and stronger flavor in the peel. Place the slices in a single layer in the dehydrator so air can move around each piece and help them dry evenly. If any slices still feel soft after drying, give them a little extra time so they blend into a smooth powder. Let everything cool fully before grinding since warmth can add moisture back into the finished product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my lime powder clumping together?

Lime powder usually clumps when a little moisture is still present in the dried lime or when it picks up humidity from the air. Even a small amount of warmth during grinding can release natural citrus oils that make the powder stick together as it settles. If your lime powder is not fully dried you can spread it on a piece of parchment and put it in your dehydrator again at 125F. Check on it every couple of hours.

How do I know the limes are fully dried?

Limes are fully dried when the slices feel light, crisp, and break easily with a clean snap instead of bending. The centers should have no soft or chewy spots, and the peel should feel dry all the way through when you press it. You will also notice they look slightly shrunken and feel much lighter than when they first went into the dehydrator.

What is the best way to store lime powder?

Store lime powder in a clean, completely dry glass jar with a tight fitting lid so it stays light and free flowing. Keep it in a cool cupboard away from steam or heat since moisture in the air can cause it to clump over time. Always use a dry spoon when scooping so the texture stays smooth and easy to sprinkle into drinks, baking, and seasoning mixes.

Will lime powder dissolve in drinks?

Lime powder will mix into drinks, but it does not fully dissolve like juice or extract.

What To Use Lime Powder For

Stir into water or sparkling drinks for a fresh citrus taste
Mix into sugar for a bright topping on baked goods
Blend into seasoning mixes for chicken, fish, or shrimp
Add to salad dressings for a tangy lift
Sprinkle into marinades for extra lime flavor
Whisk into yogurt or sour cream dips for a citrus twist
Dust over roasted vegetables right before serving
Mix into smoothies for a light lime note
Stir into homemade spice rubs for tacos or grilled meats
Add a pinch into baked cookies or muffins for citrus flavor

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