How to store a bunch of limes?

[Cookin4Love]

We use lots of limes, so I like to buy them at Costco in the bags. No matter what, though, it seems like they go bad before we use them all. I've tried storing them in a bowl on the counter, unwrapped in the fruit drawer of the refrigerator, inside a plastic bag in the fruit drawer...I've done everything but seal them up with a Foodsaver, and I'm about to resort to that! Any other ideas?

[raka1214]

What do you use them for?

When I need limes/lemons I'm usually after the zest and the juice so, I get them home, zest them all - juice them all - throw it in containers and freeze. Keeps very well.

Now, if you are after the slices I don't have an answer for you.

[Hammster]

If it helps you to use up some of the bad ones, you can cut them into pieces and run them through the garbage disposal to keep it smelling nice.

[dorothyntototoo]

I've not had great luck with citrus lasting long either in plastic bags in the vegetable bin of refrigerator. My darling clementines are shriveling as we speak. I needed a lime last week and paid 88 cents for one! Depending on how you use the limes, you might grate the rind and squeeze juice and freeze them - ice cube trays work well for juice portions. That won't help if you want fresh limes for the rim of your margarita. Guess you'll just have to drink faster. ;)

[Cookin4Love]

Well, instead of margaritas, I usually use them in San Pelligrino sparkling water, or in plain filtered water. I also frequently find uses for them in recipes. Given the ridiculous price of limes in the grocery store, I still come out ahead by buying them at Costco, even if I throw half away. I'd just like to not have to do that. :) I KNOW that the limes we're getting weren't just picked, so there has to be some way to store them. I just haven' found it yet.

[applecrisp]

I googled it and the CDC says..
Storage

Limes may be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Limes store better in a plastic bag if placed in the refrigerator and those stored at room temperature will yield more juice. Take care to keep limes out of direct sunlight as they will shrivel and become discolored.


I'm with you --- I have a problem with my limes going bad (change color and shrivel up) if I don't use them fast enough. I hate having to toss them.

[TwinMom]

I've had the best luck with citrus just kept loose in the fridge "fruit drawer", no bag. Granted the limes seem to be the first to go before any other citrus...

[Anne]

When I buy a large bag of limes I zest them, freeze the zest in a small glass jar, and freeze the whole, zested limes that I am not going to use immediately. When I need lime wedges with dinner I pull a lime out of the freezer, thaw (about half an hour), wedge, and serve. Not real pretty, but the juice tastes fresh and is fine for family - and you actually get more juice from each lime because freezing bursts some of the cell walls.

[madpots]

I put limes and lemons in a glass jar with a top (or sometimes without) and keep in the refrigerator. They seem to keep longer that way. When I keep the small key limes in a bag they seem to get hard faster.

[Cookin4Love]

Anne, your method is one I haven't thought of. I'll give it a try with a few of the limes I brought home this time. They'll end up getting thrown out next week if I don't do something. Now if I can just remember to defrost the limes!

[Anne]

I hope it works for you - at more than $1 each normal price I tend to stock up major when they go on sale.