Want to know how to get the most juice out of a lime? These easy tricks will help you squeeze every last drop—so you never come up short when making guacamole, margaritas, or a refreshing homemade limeade.

fresh limes, a bottle of fresh squeezed juice from a lime, and freshly squeezed limes

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Why You’ll Love this Tip

✔ Get the Most Out of Your Limes – No more wasted juice! These easy tricks help you squeeze every last drop for maximum flavor.

✔ Quick & Hassle-Free – Save time and effort in the kitchen with simple techniques that make juicing limes super easy.

✔ Works with What You Have – Whether you have a juicer or not, these methods use everyday kitchen tools—no fancy gadgets required.

✔ Instantly Elevates Your Cooking – More juice means brighter flavors! Use this tip to add a citrus zing to dressings, marinades, cocktails, and more.

There’s nothing more frustrating than cutting into a lime only to squeeze out just a few drops—especially when you’re in the middle of making guacamole, margaritas, or a refreshing summer drink.

If you’ve ever struggled with dry, stubborn limes, you’re not alone! Whether you’re whipping up a batch of Strawberry Lime Agua Fresca or mixing up a Pineapple Margarita, these three simple tricks will help you get the most juice out of every lime.

With just a few extra seconds of prep, you’ll be able to maximize flavor for all your favorite recipes, from Avocado Corn Salad to Guacamole and beyond!

Katie’s Tip: These tips also apple to getting the most juice from lemons and any other citrus fruit!

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Best Tools for Juicing Limes

Not all juicers are created equal! If you want to get the most juice out of your limes with minimal effort, the right tool can make all the difference. Here’s a breakdown of the best juicing tools and when to use them:

Citrus reamer – Compact and simple, but requires more effort.
Handheld lime squeezer – Quick, efficient, and catches seeds.
Electric citrus juicer – Great for large batches with minimal effort.
Manual press-style juicer – Another great choice when you need a large amount of juice.

Don’t have a juicing tool? No problem! While these tools make juicing limes easier and help extract every last drop, they’re not required.

All you really need is a sharp knife to cut the lime in half and your own two hands to squeeze out the juice. It might take a little more effort, but with the tricks below, you’ll still get great results!

3 Steps to Squeeze the Most Juice Out of Limes

How to Get the Most Juice from Limes – 3 Easy Methods

Want to know how to get more juice out of a lime? These three simple tricks will help you squeeze every last drop!

1. Microwave the Limes

Did you know you can microwave limes before juicing to get more juice? Microwaving limes for 15-30 seconds helps break down the cell walls inside, making them easier to squeeze

2. Roll the Limes on the Counter

Need to know how to soften limes for squeezing? Before cutting, firmly roll the lime on the counter using the same motion as a rolling pin. This is one of the easiest ways to soften hard limes before juicing.

3. Use a Juicer or Reamer

Skip the struggle—this is the best way to squeeze limes for maximum juice! Whether using a citrus squeezer, handheld juicer, or reamer, these tools are the best way extract every drop without the mess.

How to Store Lime Juice for Later

Want to keep that fresh lime juice on hand for future recipes? Here’s how to store it properly:

Refrigeration – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Freezing – Pour into ice cube trays for easy portioning and freeze for up to 3 months.
Lime Zest – Before juicing, zest the lime and freeze it for later use in baked goods, dressings, or marinades.

Juicing Limes FAQs

Got questions about juicing limes? Below, I’ve answered some of the most common ones to help you get the most juice out of every lime. If you don’t see your question here, drop a comment—I’m happy to help!

How much juice is in a lime?

The amount of juice in a lime can vary depending on its size and freshness.

One medium lime = about 2 tablespoons of juice
One large lime = about 3 tablespoons of juice
One small lime = around 1 tablespoon of juice

If a recipe calls for the juice of one lime, you’ll typically need 2 tablespoons. Need more? Follow my tips above to get the most juice out of your limes!

How do you soften limes for squeezing?

To get the most juice from a lime, try these simple tricks:

Microwave it – Heat the lime for 15 – 30 seconds in the microwave. Warming the lime slightly helps release the juices.
Roll it on the counter – Apply gentle pressure with your palm and roll the lime back and forth for a few seconds. This will break down the membranes inside..
Soak it in warm water – Letting a lime sit in warm water for a few minutes can also help soften it.

Using one or a combination of these methods will make juicing way easier!

How do you juice a lime without a juicer?

Wondering how to juice a lime without a juicer? No problem! Here’s how to extract the most juice by hand:

Cut the lime in half – A crosswise cut exposes more juice pockets.
Use a spoon – Press a wooden spoon into the flesh and twist while squeezing.
Flip and re-squeeze – After the first squeeze, turn the lime inside out and press again to release any remaining juice.

Try This Lime Juicing Tip!

This simple trick makes juicing limes so much easier—perfect for cocktails, salad dressings, marinades, and more! Whether you’re making a fresh batch of guacamole or a refreshing summer drink, this tip ensures you get every last drop of juice.

Did you try it? Leave a comment below and let me know if this method worked for you!

On Instagram? Tag me @goodlifeeats with #goodlifeeatsrecipes so I can see how you’re using fresh lime juice in your kitchen!

no-bake lime cheesecake bars made with juice from a lime

Recipes That Use Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Juicing limes doesn’t have to be frustrating—just follow my simple tricks to get the most juice every time! Once you’ve squeezed every last drop from your limes, put that bright, zesty flavor to good use!

Try one of these refreshing lime-infused recipes:

Cherry Limeade Cupcakes – Inspired by the classic Sonic drink, these light and fluffy cupcakes are bursting with sweet cherry and tart lime flavor, topped with a dreamy maraschino cherry buttercream.
No-Bake Lime Cheesecake Bars – A creamy, tangy dessert with a graham cracker crust and a bright lime curd topping—perfect for summer gatherings!
Cherry Limeade Slushie – Beat the heat with this easy homemade slushie, packed with sweet cherry and citrusy lime flavor.
Cilantro Lime Broccoli Slaw – A crisp, vibrant slaw tossed with lime, jalapeño, and red bell pepper, perfect as a fresh side for Mexican-inspired meals.

Looking for more ways to use fresh citrus juice? Head over to my Ingredient Index to browse all recipes that use lemon or lime juice!

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How to Get the Most Juice from a Lime (or Lemon)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Struggling to get enough juice from your limes? This quick tutorial breaks down three easy methods to help you extract every last drop—perfect for guacamole, margaritas, salad dressings, and more! Say goodbye to dry limes and hello to effortless juicing.

Materials

Fresh Limes or Lemons

Tools

Citrus Juicer or Reamer

Instructions

Microwave the lime or lemon for 15 to 30 seconds, in 15 second intervals. (Warming the fruit up helps the juices to release and you can get so much more out this way.)
Roll the lime or lemon on the countertop using your hand. This tenderize the citrus fruit and makes it easier to juice, especially if they're harder.
Juice using a reamer or juicer. (Never try to juice limes by squeezing them manually with your hands. You won’t ever get as much juice this way as you would using a reamer, hand juicer, or a citrus squeezer!)