Name: Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 6 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/4 cup white sugar; 4 large eggs (room temperature); 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk; 1/3 cup key lime juice; 2 cups heavy cream (whipping cream); 2 tbsp key lime zest

If you’ve been craving a delicious key lime pie then you’ve arrived at the right place!

This easy recipe is perfect for first time bakers and pie lovers alike. Our recipe includes a yummy graham cracker crust and fresh key lime juice. And we show you how to use bottled key lime juice that you can get at your grocery store.

Key Lime Pie was invented by a Key West, South Florida cook, called Aunt Sally and there are many recipe variations out there. This yummy pie is usually made in a graham cracker crust, and our version is a stove top key lime pie filling that includes egg yolks, condensed milk, and fresh key lime juice.

Did you know that Key Lime Pie is the official state pie of Florida? So the next time you are visiting, be sure to order up a whole pie for your family to enjoy? 🙂

Some are topped with whipped cream, and others have delicate golden brown meringue topping. But for this no bake easy key lime pie recipe, we’ll stick to the whipped cream topping!

Now you know I love to bake and whipping up a graham cracker crust is easy to do. But you can also use a ready made pie crust there are so many amazing ones available now. A friend of mine swears by a ready made shortbread crust!

And instead of fresh key limes, there is always ✅ Nellie and Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice . After all, this is an Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe! We do have a convection oven in our trailer that works really well, but I wanted to see if I could create a Key Lime Pie filling made the same way I make my Lemon Meringue Pie – on top of the stove.

So let’s get started with your Key Lime Pie!

Tips for making this amazing no bake pie

The ingredients for my easy key lime pie recipe are similar, however instead of corn starch that is the thickener for lemon pie – we use sweetened condensed milk and it’s the combination of this and the lime juice that causes the filling to thicken.
Cook on medium to low heat and stir constantly
Mix the sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks first until they are really creamy, then gradually add the key lime juice.

key lime pie side view slice of lime on top, easy key lime pie recipe

Time Saver Tip:

Double the recipe and enjoy one pie now and freeze the other! Key Lime Pies freeze really well for about two months.

Ingredients you will need:

Fresh Key Limes
Graham Crumbs
White Sugar
Egg yolks
Sweetened condensed milk
Unsalted butter
Whipping Cream

key lime pie side view slice of lime on top with slice of pie on white plate, easy key lime pie recipe

Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between key limes and persian limes?

It seems to be more about color and size than taste, although some will say that key limes are more tart.
Let’s let Southern Living tell us: “The limes grown in the Florida Keys tend to be small with a distinctive lime flavor that is tart, but not too acidic with a very distinct aroma. Grocery store limes, generally speaking, are Persian limes, which are larger and tarter than their Florida cousins. Key limes are smaller and contain more seeds than Persian limes, while Persian limes have a thick, bright green skin, and Key lime skin is thin and tends to be a little on the yellow side.”

Does lime juice thicken condensed milk?

Yes, it’s the combination of the two ingredients that thickens your key lime pie filling.

How do you thicken key lime pie?

Using a wire whisk, keep stirring the sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks in a saucepan over medium to low heat, and gradually add the lime juice, stirring constantly.

Why did my key lime filling curdle?

Using whole fresh milk instead of sweetened condensed milk will cause the filling to curdle.

How long can you keep key lime pie in the refrigerator? Or freeze it?

For about 3 days in the refrigerator, but you can wrap it tightly and freeze your pie for up to 2 months!

Should I use fresh key limes or bottled key lime juice?

It’s really up to you. I’ve used both and don’t really see a difference, but it’s also what’s available in local grocery stores. Typically you can find key limes in the produce section, and you want to use fresh key lime zest for the whipped topping.

Want more delicious easy desserts?

I wish I could share a piece of this melt-in-your-mouth real key lime pie right now. OMG it is so good! Here is the recipe, with step-by-step instructions. It is the best key lime pie recipe EVER! If you love it as much as I do, please give it a 5 star rating.

Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

a delicious and easy key lime recipe that is quick to put together and cooks on top of the stove. Perfect for RV life and travel!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup white sugar
4 large eggs (room temperature)
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup key lime juice
2 cups heavy cream (whipping cream)
2 tbsp key lime zest

Instructions

Graham cracker crust:

Put the graham crackers in a zip lock bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. Or if you have a food processor crush them in seconds!
Mix the melted butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs together
Spray your pie plate with Pam Baking Spray
Press the graham cracker crumb mixture into the pie plate and bake at 350F for 8 minutes
Remove from oven and let it cool on a wire rack

To make the stove top key lime pie filling:

Separate the eggs into a medium bowl, (TIP: put the egg whites in the freezer!)
Beat the egg yolks in a large saucepan until thick with medium speed on your mixer.
Stir in the condensed milk and key lime juice
Cook on the stove on medium-low, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken. Don’t leave it or it will stick to the pan and we don’t want that to happen!
Once the filling has thickened, remove from heat and let it cool just a bit. Pour it into the graham cracker crust pie shell and set aside to cool.
Garnish with Whipped Heavy Cream, Lime Zest and thin slices of fresh lime. This is the very best key lime pie you will ever make!

Notes

Garnish: I use thin slices of key limes, along with a sprinkle of lime zest.

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easy homemade key lime pie text over key lime pie side view slice of lime on top with slice of pie on white plate, whole pie with graham cracker crust on bottom

Judy Kahansky

Hi there, I'm Judy, it's awesome to meet you! I'm a writer, master pie baker and I've been helping people reach their personal and career goals for over 30 years. I believe everyone should experience the joy of creating old fashioned recipes, just like Mom or Grandma used to make. And I also help you to create those memories for you and your family with Simple, Delicious, Wholesome recipes that you can learn to make. We also help you discover that Simple Living isn't just a concept. It's a state of mind. Comforting food and Simple Living. It's all here. You can read more on my About page!

Sandie

Sunday 23rd of February 2020

Can this filling be frozen?

Tuesday 25th of February 2020

Hi Sandie - I've never frozen it myself, not sure how the condensed milk would react to that. It will keep in the fridge for a few days though if you want to make it ahead.

Patti Triplett

Saturday 3rd of August 2019

Hi there, getting ready to make this when I noticed a 1/4 cup of white sugar that is not included in the directions... misprint or does that go in the whipped cream...or what? Thanks

Judy

Hi Patti! The 1/4 cup of sugar is for the whipped cream, thanks for catching this! I'll be sure to make the adjustment. Thanks so much.

Oana @AdoreFoods

Saturday 30th of January 2016

Oh, I have to make your KeyLime pie asap! Looks fantastic! Would love a slice right now :)

Patricia @ Grab a Plate

I wish you could share a piece of this, too :) I looove Key Lime Pie, but have never made it - yours looks amazing! I'm pinning! Glad you're safe & sound in Florida!

Thanks Patricia! Yes we are enjoying the weather now and key lime pie! :)

Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche

Friday 29th of January 2016

Oh this looks amazing. I'm a huge fan of key lime pie - so tasty :)

Key West Key Lime Pie Recipe