How to Cut Lime Wedges for a Bar

Quick Answer: To cut lime wedges for a bar, rinse the limes, trim both ends, halve each lime lengthwise and cut each half into wedges 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 mm) thick. Microplane gives about 3 to 4 wedges per half for citrus, but limes are smaller than lemons, so expect fewer. Cut a slit to sit a wedge on a glass. Refrigerate cut limes within two hours.

Limes go on more drinks than any other garnish, so the cut needs to be quick and the wedges even. This guide covers the cut, the size, how many wedges a lime gives and how to prep a batch. It pairs with our lemon wedge guide, since the method is the same, and with the wider guide to cutting citrus garnish. The finished wedges go into a small condiment holder or any other garnish container.

How do you cut lime wedges for a bar?

Rinse, trim, halve, then slice. Utah State University Extension (checked September 2026) says to gently rinse limes with water before cutting, even if you only want the juice. The FDA says to wash produce under running water, without soap, and dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel. Steps 2 to 4 follow Microplane's garnish guide, a tool maker's blog article.

1. Rinse the lime and dry it.
2. Cut off both short ends so the lime sits flat.
3. Stand it on one end and cut it in half lengthwise.
4. Lay each half flat and cut wedges 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
5. Pick out the seeds.

Choose limes that are glossy and a little soft. Utah State says a good juicy lime is more squishy than hard, and that small brown areas on the skin do not affect flavor.

What size should a lime wedge be?

1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, the same range Microplane gives for any citrus wedge. Microplane says a wedge lets the drinker squeeze more juice into the drink, and a slit cut halfway into the wedge lets it sit on the rim. Limes are smaller than lemons, and Utah State notes that Key limes are smaller again, so a lime half gives fewer wedges than a lemon half. That is an inference, not a published figure.

The Difford's Guide margarita on the rocks and the IBA Mojito were checked in October 2026. Which garnish suits which drink is a separate question from how to cut it.

How many wedges do you get from a lime?

Fewer than from a lemon, and no source gives a figure for limes alone. Microplane's 3 to 4 wedges per half is stated for citrus in general, which is 6 to 8 per fruit. Use it as an upper bound, round up, and count the first batch you cut.

The table is arithmetic on Microplane's figure, not a measured yield.

How do you prep limes quickly for a shift?

Cut in batches for about two hours of service and keep the rest whole. Penn State Extension says to refrigerate fresh produce within two hours of cutting and discard cut produce left at room temperature longer, and the FDA's storage page cuts that to one hour when the air is above 90°F (32°C). Use tongs, not bare hands, to move wedges, since the FDA Food Code says not to touch exposed ready-to-eat food with bare hands.

Whole limes are a separate question. Utah State says to keep them at room temperature, out of the sun, for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks, and that a plastic bag in the refrigerator works better.

When is a lime wedge the wrong cut?

When the drink needs the juice, not the garnish. The IBA margarita spec (checked September 2026) uses 15 ml of freshly squeezed lime juice and lists only an optional half salt rim as garnish. For that, squeeze the lime to order. Utah State suggests rolling a lime on a firm surface before squeezing. On a slow night, cut a few limes, not a batch that will pass two hours.

Where the Esatto Small Condiment Holder With 4 - 1 Pint Inserts fits

Esatto makes and sells the Small Condiment Holder With 4 - 1 Pint Inserts, 12 Pourers & 12 Pourer Covers, Black. It is our own product, not an independent pick. Its page lists four 1 pint inserts, 473 ml (16 fl oz) each, made of ABS plastic, so lime wedges can have one compartment and lemons or other garnish the rest. It is also listed in gray. The set comes with 12 pourers and 12 pourer covers, which you do not need if you only want a holder.

See the products page for the other sets.

Frequently asked questions

How do you cut bar limes?

Rinse and dry them, trim the ends, cut each lime in half lengthwise, and cut each half into wedges 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Refrigerate what you cut within two hours.

How do you cut limes for a bar?

In small batches sized to about two hours of service. Keep the rest of the limes whole at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator, per Utah State University Extension.

How do you cut limes for garnish?

Use wedges for drinks that get squeezed, or wheels for drinks that hold a floating slice. Microplane gives wheels at 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and wedges at 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

How do you cut limes for margaritas?

Cut wedges as above. Difford's Guide garnishes its margarita on the rocks with a lime wedge and moistens an optional salt rim with lime juice. The IBA spec uses fresh lime juice and only an optional salt rim.

What is the best way to cut lime wedges?

Use a sharp knife on a clean board, halve the lime lengthwise and slice each half into wedges of even thickness.

How do you cut lemons and limes for a bar?

The same way: rinse, trim the ends, halve lengthwise, slice into wedges. Keep lemons and limes in separate inserts so they are easy to tell apart. Limes are smaller, so expect fewer wedges per fruit.