Homemade Indian Lime Pickle Recipe

Looking for a way to spice up your everyday, boring meals? This zesty and flavorful Indian lime pickle recipe can add a delicious and spicy zing to the most basic of meals. It pairs perfectly with any Indian meal, and should be staple in your pantry. Lime pickle has a sour taste and a tangy flavor owing to the lime juice that oozes out of the pickled lime pieces. It is easily available in packaged jars at Indian grocery stores. However, a homemade lime pickle always hits on another level and is very easy to make.

Indian lime pickle recipes are different because, unlike other pickles, they have a very tangy and zesty flavor and are more on the sour side. Lime pickle is also known as nimbu ka achaar or elumichai urugai in South India. Indian lime pickle generally uses mustard or sesame oil with lots of spices and ingredients like fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and pink salt.

Pickles are an important part of Indian culinary tradition and are common in Indian homes. Many kinds of pickles have been popular in India for centuries. Some common pickle recipes in India include mango pickle, garlic pickle, carrot pickle, chilli pickle, etc. In India, there are many regional variations of lime pickle, each with slightly different ingredients and methods. Some recipes use key limes, while others use medium-sized lemons. Some pickles use brown sugar, while others use jaggery or sweeteners. While some recipes call for dry roasting the spice mixture before adding it to the pickle. When making homemade pickles, it is critical to use sterile jars and dry utensils to prevent contamination. The shelf life of Indian lime pickle can vary depending on the recipe and storage conditions, and some pickles can last for several months when stored properly.

This Indian lime pickle recipe will help you make one of the most popular condiments in Indian cuisine. The main ingredients are small limes, but you can get creative and add green chillies, curry leaves, and star anise to give it a unique taste and aroma. Lime Pickle is a great way to add a burst of flavor to any meal, and it’s a must-try for anyone who loves Indian cooking or experimenting with different pickle recipes.

Lime pickle is available at any Indian food store, but making your own pickle always tastes better. A lot of people make their own homemade pickles and then use it throughout the year. Making pickles can be a fun and creative process, allowing you to experiment with different ingredients to suit your own taste buds. As complicated as it sounds, it is actually very easy to make.

Indian lime pickle has a long history in Indian cuisine. Made by pickling limes in a mixture of spices, oil, and salt. The pickling process preserves the limes and infuses them with the flavors of the spices. Indian lime pickle recipes are believed to have originated in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, but the recipe has rapidly been adopted everywhere in India. They were traditionally made by sun-drying method, which gave a unique texture and flavor. They were then made in varying sized batches depending on availability. Each family had their own secret recipe passed down from generation to generation.

Ingredients List For Indian Lime Pickle Recipe

Limes

This is the key flavoring ingredient and provides the tangy, acidic base flavor

Spices

This recipe includes several spices such as red chilli powder, turmeric, mustard seeds, coriander powder, asafoetida, fenugreek, and other spices that impart a distinct spicy and aromatic flavor. Apart from the flavor factor, the erucic acid released from mustard seeds also serves as a source of pungency and as a preservative.

Salt

Salt acts as a preservative and also enhances the taste to avoid the bitter taste from the lime peel.

Oil

Different pickles use different kinds of oils and it varies regionally. Mustard oil or sesame oil gives a distinct aroma and also helps to preserve the pickles.

Step By Step Instructions

Wash and dry the limes, then cut them into halves.

Then cut each half into quarters.

Heat 1/4 cup of sesame oil in a pan.

Cook the lime pieces for 10 minutes on medium heat.

You are trying to cook out most of the water.

Now add salt to the limes.

Then add chili powder.

Again cook it for an additional 10 minutes.

In a separate saucepan, heat the remaining 3/4 cup of sesame oil. Add the mustard seeds and let them pop.

Then add the fenugreek, asafoetida, and turmeric to the oil.

Now mix the contents of the pan with the cooked lime pieces and their cooking oil.

Cook for an additional 10 minutes on low heat.

Let the pickle cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Give it a good shake every time you take it out to use. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this Indian lime pickle recipe in a variety of ways.

Serve them as a condiment, alongside a meal as a side dish.

Mix them with yogurt, to create a creamy and tangy sauce that you can use as a dip.

They also can be a great addition to lentils, beans and other staples of Indian cuisine.

You can consume them with the main course like biryani, paratha, or even with plain rice and dal.

Use them in marinades for meats, giving them a tangy, spicy flavor.

Some also enjoy eating them straight out of the jar as a snack.

Storage Instructions

To store Indian lime pickles properly and to ensure they last as long as possible, you should follow these steps:

First, make sure to store pickles either in a ceramic jar, a glass jar or an airtight container. This will help to keep out any moisture and prevent the growth of mold.

Store the pickle in a cool, dark, and dry place. Avoid storing it in a warm place that gets direct sunlight like a sunny window sill or near a heat source as it can spoil the pickle.

Once opened, store the pickles in the refrigerator. The cool temperature of the refrigerator will help to slow down the fermentation process and prevent the growth of fungus.

Before serving, it is important to check the pickle for any signs of spoilage, such as mold, off-odor or sliminess, if you notice any such signs, discard the pickle.

It is also important to use clean and dry metal spoon or ladle every time you take pickles out from the jar to avoid any cross-contamination and also to prevent any moisture or contaminants in the jar.

If kept in appropriate conditions and unopened, these pickles can last for months.

Indian Lime Pickle Recipe – Nimbu Ka Achar

Recipe by Ravi Kumar and Qintarah Khan

5.0 from 2 votes

Course: Sides, AppetizersCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Medium

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Indian lime pickles have a long history in Indian cuisine. They are made by pickling limes in a mixture of spices, oil, and salt.

Ingredients

• 1 pound limes

• 1 cup sesame oil, divided

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp chili powder

• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds

• 1 tsp fenugreek

• 1/4 tsp asafoetida

• 1/4 tsp turmeric

Directions

• Wash and dry the limes, then cut them into halves and then cut each half into quarters.
• Heat 1/4 cup of sesame oil in a pan and cook the lime pieces for 10 minutes on medium heat. You are trying to cook out most of the water.
• Add the salt and chili powder, and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
• In a separate saucepan, heat the remaining 3/4 cup of sesame oil. Add the mustard seeds and let them pop.
• Add the fenugreek, asafoetida, and turmeric to the oil, then add the cooked lime pieces and their cooking oil.
• Cook for an additional 10 minutes on low heat.
• Let the pickle cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

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Hi! I’m Ravi Kumar.

I am a husband, father of 4, board certified neurosurgeon, and a lover of South Indian Food!

I created PaattisKitchen.com to memorialize the most delicious foods on earth. South Indian food is easy to make and hard to mess up. So pull up your sleeves, and come with me as we explore the vibrant spices, colors, aromas, and flavors of South Indian culinary tradition.