You might think lime juice is an irreplaceable ingredient in guacamole. They add a tarty punch to the dip and prevent your guac from turning into an unappetizing brown hue.
However, you might be disheartened to find your fridge noticeably lacking in the lime department.
Lemon zest might be a suitable substitute for lime juice in guacamole, but it is not your only option! You have several ways of maintaining color and achieving the same tangy flavor, and here are 7 ways you can use right now:
Outline
7 Substitutes for Lime Juice in Guacamole
1. Vinegar
If you’re looking for a substitute for lime juice which gives the same acidity to cut through the spiciness of guacamole, then vinegar is your best option.
Whether it be apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, any kind works. However, my personal recommendation would be balsamic vinegar. Its deep flavor pairs well with a lot of Mexican dishes apart from guacamole.
Vinegar is comparatively harsher and lacks the sweetness of limes.
How to Substitute:
For every tablespoon of lime juice, substitute it with ½ tablespoon of vinegar.
2. Lemons
A close runner-up to vinegar, lemon juice can be used as a substitute for lime because of its similar flavor profile. With that said, keep in mind that lemons are sweeter than limes. Make sure you add this to your guacamole according to your preference.
Beyond the flavor, lemons are acidic enough to cut through the richness of guacamole.
If you hate the pulp and seeds that come from lemons, you can always choose to use the zest of lemons instead!
How to Substitute:
One tablespoon of lemon juice can substitute with one tablespoon of lime juice. Add or reduce according to flavor preference. Use 1 tablespoon of zest for every 2 tablespoons of lime juice.
3. Oranges
A great option if you want a citrus-ey flavor in your guacamole, oranges can be used as lime substitutes.
Orange juice synergizes well with the flavors of onion and cilantro, found in many Mexican recipes other than guacamole. They might be sweeter in comparison and less acidic, but they still have the same burst of flavor that you need for your guac.
Similar to lemons, you can use orange zest if you want to leave out the pulp and seeds.
How to Substitute:
Orange juice can substitute lime juice in a 1:1 ratio. 1 tablespoon of orange zest replaces 2 tablespoons of lime juice.
4. Black Lime
Also known as dried lime or loomi, black lime is a Middle Eastern spice made by boiling limes in salt water and grinding them down into a powder.
Ground black lime lacks the sweetness of regular lime and is sour to taste. However, black limes work as an excellent lime juice substitute as it blends well with savory dishes like guacamole.
How to Substitute:
½ tablespoon of black lime powder can substitute one tablespoon of lime juice.
5. Tamarind
Several South-Asian dishes would just not taste the same without the sweet and sour flavor of tamarind. And this is exactly what makes it a suitable substitute for lime juice in your guacamole.
Tamarind adds a distinct tang and sourness to your guacamole. Simply dilute the tamarind pulp in water as per your preference, and add it with your guac.
How to Substitute:
To dilute tamarind, add one cup of water for every cup of tamarind pulp. Less water for a more intense sourness.
6. White Wine
An unlikely pick for some, white wine certainly holds up as a viable replacement for lime juice. White wine might be less acidic than lime and has a different flavor profile, but it serves as an excellent way to top off your guacamole.
However, this is the last resort for anyone looking for a substitute for lime juice.
How to Substitute:
White wine can substitute lime juice in a 1:1 ratio.
7. Bottled Lime Juice
Probably the most obvious choice for some people, bottled lime juice can act as a substitute for your guacamole when you’re out of natural lime juice.
Sold in small bottles, they are less flavorful than normal limes, but they get the job done. Given their flavor profile, you might need to use more in order to emulate the same taste.
How to Substitute:
For every 1 tablespoon of lime juice, you need to substitute it with 2 tablespoons of bottled lime juice.
Conclusion
Next time you’re in the mood for some guacamole and tortilla chips, but you find your stocks running a little dry, you can rest assured that you may find a substitute for lime juice by just looking at your pantry for a minute!
