Traditional Key Lime Pie with Meringue
Everyone in my family adores Key lime pie because it’s perfectly tart, but not overly so, and just sweet enough to balance the tartness. Coupled with a graham cracker crust — which I prefer to regular pie crust any day! — and a light and fluffy meringue, Key lime pie is the ultimate dessert. I love Key lime pie and especially so in the warmer months of the year. It’s usually served chilled, making it as refreshing as a dessert can get!
Ingredients in Key Lime Meringue Pie
In order to make Key lime pie, you’ll need the following ingredients. I have divided the ingredients list based on the three layers that pie contains:
Graham cracker crust:
Graham crackers — you can crush your own graham crackers, buy graham cracker crumbs, or buy a premade graham cracker crust in the store bought silver pie tins Butter — I prefer real butter, but you can theoretically use margarine instead
Key lime pie filling:
Sweetened condensed milk — I like the regular, but I have used the fat free kind and it works well Egg yolks — gives body to the filling Lime juice — if you can get key limes, they are the best, but feel free to use regular lime juice
Homemade meringue:
Egg whites — you will be using the yolks and the whites separately and it’s very important not to get any yolk in the whites or they won’t form peaks Cream of tartar — this helps the egg yolks form peaks Vanilla extract — this is for flavoring the meringue Sugar — white granulated sugar or castor sugar is best for this
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Key Lime Pie with Meringue
The meringue on Key lime pie is technically optional, and I’ve seen many recipes without it. But in my family, the meringue is a must! Here’s an overview of how this meringue key lime pie recipe is made:
How to Make Meringue for Key Lime Pie
The meringue on key lime pie is the best part! I’ve given detailed instructions in the recipe card below on how to make the meringue recipe for the key lime pie, but here’s an overview:
Can Key Limes Be Substituted in Key Lime Pie?
Key limes — also known as Mexican limes or West Indies limes — are small, round limes that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. In the US in states like California and Florida, they tend to only grown in summer months. They become lighter yellow (not greener) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes. Their skin is also very thin. Key limes are most known for their tartness, they’re super aromatic, and have floral notes which is their hallmark compared to regular limes. Key limes are preferred, of course, to make this key lime pie recipe with meringue. However, if you cannot get them, regular limes (also known as Persian limes) are an okay substitute. The difference between Key limes and Persian limes are that Persian limes are larger, darker green, have an acidic, tangy flavor, and lack the floral bouquet Key limes have which translates into a pie that tastes less “tropical” and has less depth of flavor overall.
Tips for the Best Key Lime Meringue Pie
Pie plate size: My recipe for Key lime pie with meringue will make one large glass pie pan measuring 9 or 10-inches in diameter or 2 small tin foil pie pans. If you’re using a store bought graham cracker crust already in a tin pan, you’ll need two of them. Key lime juice: I can’t stress this enough — freshly squeezed is best! If you use bottled lime juice, opt for one you find in the refrigerator section of your grocery store rather than a bottle that’s shelf-stable at room temperature. Chilling the pie: Make sure you chill the pie for at least two hours before you serve it. Not only will it taste much better, it will also make it easier to slice and serve without it falling apart!
Favorite Lime Dessert Recipes:
Key Lime Bars — There’s plenty of bold lime flavor in these easy bars that are a twist on the classic pie everyone loves! This is the perfect make-ahead dessert for potlucks and parties! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Key Lime Cake — An EASY and refreshing poke cake with plenty of zippy lime flavor that’s perfect for summer parties, picnics, and potlucks!! Everyone loves this tangy-and-sweet, light, and airy cake!! Lime, Mint & Rum Cookies (aka Mojito Cookies!) — Super SOFT and chewy cookies that taste like you’re drinking a mojito!! Who can say no to rum, mint, lime, and sugar? A unique cookie that’s so GOOD and they’re PERFECT for spring and summer parties of any kind!! Coconut Lime Bars — The shredded coconut adds texture and a smooth tropical flavor, without being overdone, and white chocolate is tailor-made for the lime-coconut flavor pairing.
