Did you buy a bottle of lime juice but end up not using it all? Now a recipe of yours calls for some lime juice, but you notice your lime juice is past its best-by date.
You’re probably wondering: Has my lime juice gone bad? How long does it last?
Here’s the just: thanks to its acidity, lime juice can last a pretty long time. How long? Well, an opened bottle of lime juice can last up to 6-12 months after the best-by date.
Signs That Lime Juice Has Spoiled
When inspecting your lime juice for any signs of spoilage, you may notice it has turned brown. Note that browning is a natural process, and it does not necessarily mean that your lime juice has gone bad.
A bad sign of spoilage is any mold or growth near the seal. This is unlikely but get rid of your lime juice if you find this.
The next sign to look out for is if there’s an off, unusual smell to your lime juice. If there is, make sure to throw it in the bin.
The final test is to taste a teaspoon of your lime juice to determine its quality. A loss of the citrus flavor is a sign to toss it out because you wouldn’t want to keep lime juice that doesn’t add the necessary flavor to your dish.
Another tip: discard lime juice from bottles that are dented, bulging, or leaking.
How To Store Lime Juice
Lime juice that has yet to be opened can be kept in the pantry as long as it is away from light sources and changes in temperature.
Upon opening your lime juice, seal it tightly and put it in the fridge to preserve its quality. Leaving lime juice at room temperature can still work, however, it will brown and degrade in quality faster.
What about a fresh batch of lime juice that you made yourself? Store that in the fridge immediately, like with other juices. Keep in mind that homemade lime juice won’t last as long as store-bought ones.
How Long Does Lime Juice Last?
Every store-bought bottle of lime juice comes with a best-by date. This date informs you how long the quality of your lime juice will last, at the very least.
Due to its highly acidic nature, lime juice has a much longer shelf-life than other juices. It can last 2-3 months past its best-by date if unopened and tucked into the pantry.
Opening the bottle means you should store it in the fridge, which adds 6-12 months after its best-by date.
However, homemade fresh lime juice, although refreshing, will only last 2-3 days in the fridge.
In A Nutshell
If you need some extra vitamin C, lime is the unlikely but great source you can try out.
Lime juice is one of the more long-lasting foods, so once you open it, you can keep it in the fridge for a period of 12 months. But do make sure it hasn’t spoiled by checking the appearance, smell, and taste of the lime juice.
