Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (2024)

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Key Lime Curd Recipe – tangy, rich and sweet, this key lime curd is easy to make and perfect for pancakes, toast, macarons or to just eat it with a spoon.Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (1)

Lime, key lime or lemon curd – I love them all. Honestly, I find no difference between lime and key lime curd.

But since my local grocery store always carries bags with key limes, I have the option to use these cuties instead of big old limes.

What is a curd?

Fruit curd is a dessert or topping, made usually with citrus.

Basic ingredients usually are beaten egg yolks (or eggs), sugar, fruit juice, zest and butter sometimes.

Ingredients are cooked together, until thick, usually over a double boiler.

After the curd is cooked, it is a good idea to strain it so it is extra smooth.

Curds are flavorful, soft and delicious.

I used lime curd for these Meringue Nests With Lime Curd And Cherries.

What ingredients do you need to make a key lime curd?

  • sugar
  • key lime juice
  • key lime zest
  • egg yolks
  • salt
  • butter

Should you use key limes or regular limes for this key lime curd?

If you can not find key limes, you can use regular limes instead.

We need both juice and lime zest.

Of course you can buy lime curd at the store.

But is is so easy to make it at home, too.

How to make this easy key lime curd?

Just follow these simple steps.

  1. In a heat proof bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, key lime zest, key lime juice and salt. Whisk to combine.

  2. Place bowl over a double boiler and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until thickened. It takes about 5-7 minutes.

  3. Remove from heat and add butter. Stir until smooth. Place in a jar. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Why should you make citrus curd at home?

It is a lot less expensive to prepare it at home.

All you need is a few simple ingredients and 15 minutes.

I made this key lime curd as a filling for my lime macarons recipe.

Since I had some left over egg yolks, I used egg yolks in it.

If you don’t have left over egg yolks, you can use whole eggs instead.

The difference in taste, texture and flavor will be minimal for the amount of curd that this recipe makes.

Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (2)

What to use this key lime curd for?

This key lime curd is just the perfect filling for lime macarons.

I’ve been obsessed with key lime flavor this summer.

You can also check out this Key Lime Pie – Lightened Up, it is the best key lime pie I’ve ever had.

Curds are also great as a cake filling.

A while back, I made this tangerine curd and used it in this Tangerine Layer Cake.

It was perfect for Christmas.

If you are not into cakes, use this key lime curd to top pancakes, crepes, waffles, toast, scones or muffins.

Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (3)

5 from 7 votes

Key Lime Curd Recipe

Key Lime Curd Recipe - tangy, rich and sweet, this key lime curd is easy to make and perfect for pancakes, toast, macarons or to just eat it with a spoon.

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Ingredients

  • 5 egg yolks
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp key lime zest
  • 1/2 cup key lime juice
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp butter

Instructions

  • In a heat proof bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, key lime zest, key lime juice and salt. Whisk to combine.

  • Place bowl over a double boiler and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until thickened. It takes about 5-7 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and add butter. Stir until smooth. Place in a jar. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 183mg, Sodium: 123mg, Potassium: 39mg, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 465IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Tried this recipe?Mention @cookinglsl or tag #cookinglsl!

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Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does lime curd last in the fridge? ›

Transfer the fresh lime curd into a small bowl or glass jar and cover well. Refrigerate until ready to use, or up to 1 week.

What is lime curd made of? ›

Fill a saucepan with 2 inches of water and heat over medium-low heat. Combine 4 large egg yolks, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup of lime juice, 1 Tbsp lime zest, and a 1/4 tsp of fine salt in a medium-sized, heat proof bowl. I like to use a metal bowl.

Can you use lemon juice instead of key lime juice? ›

You may substitute the key lime juice with a mixture of 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice.

Why is my lemon curd not thickening? ›

If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

Does lime curd go bad? ›

It is similar to lemon custard, but traditionalists feel that curd has more lemon flavor than lemon custard. Made fresh it has a refrigerator shelf life of approx. 1 week. Canned, it can have a shelf life of approximately 3 to 4 months.

Can I use 15 days old curd? ›

Yogurts are made by conventional manual methods, when stored at 2 - 6 degrees Celsius in the refrigerator, they will be used for 5-7 days. If you put them in the freezer, they can be used for 10-14 days without worrying about the quality.

What bacteria is in homemade curd? ›

The curd contains lactic acid bacteria known as Lactobacillus, which multiplies itself in the correct medium of 30-40 C temperature and in a few hours ferments the milk to form curd.

What happens if you add lime to yogurt? ›

Fresh Lime Juice - Lime juice adds a slightly bitter, fruity, acidic flavor. It also helps thin out the yogurt into a smoother sauce. Fresh Lime Zest - Lime zest is what really brings the lime flavor to the table.

Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh? ›

Although it seems like a simple swap, you need to be careful when substituting bottled lime juice for fresh. Check the label to be sure it is pure juice; some varieties, such as the popular Rose's label, are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup.

Are Mexican limes key limes? ›

Mexican lime is known by many names such as Key lime, Bartender's lime, and West Indian lime.

Is key lime healthier than lemon? ›

Both lemons and limes have similar nutrients. Lemons contain more vitamin C and antioxidant flavonoids than limes. However, limes have slightly higher levels of minerals and vitamins than lemons. For example, limes have more niacin, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium than lemons.

Why does my lemon curd taste weird? ›

A metallic aftertaste is usually the consequence of the lemon curd coming into contact with a metal (especially while it's hot). This could be a metal whisk, a metal bowl, a metal (or metal-coated) saucepan, or a metal sieve.

How to stop lemon curd from curdling? ›

The mixture will LOOK curdled, but it will smooth out as the butter melts in the cooking process. Cook the mixture over low heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan until it looks smooth. I find it helpful to use a wisk. The mixture will smooth out as the butter melts and change from cloudy to clear.

What happens if you add lemon to curd? ›

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are highly acidic. Combining them with curd can disturb the stomach's pH balance, potentially leading to digestive discomfort or acidity for some individuals.

How long does citrus curd last in the fridge? ›

Just be sure to put it in a tightly sealed glass or plastic container so it doesn't pick up any aromas from other things in your fridge. Fresh lemon curd will keep for one to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Does lemon curd go bad in the fridge? ›

Even with proper storage, lemon curd will eventually expire. As such, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of spoilage to avoid accidentally consuming pathogens like mold or bacteria that can make you sick. Examine old lemon curd with your senses of sight and smell for evidence that it is past its prime.

How to tell if lemon curd has gone bad? ›

Additionally, a sour or off smell is a good indicator that it has turned bad.

How long will homemade lemon curd keep in the refrigerator? ›

Store the curd: Lemon curd will keep in your refrigerator for up to a month according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 1 year. To thaw, transfer your curd from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you need it.

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