As a retail expert and picky shopper, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to track down a specific item at the grocery store. Lemon and lime juice are staple ingredients in countless recipes, yet their versatility means they could be stocked in several different places. To help you locate lemon and lime juice quickly and easily, I‘ve put together this comprehensive guide complete with insider knowledge, industry data, and helpful tips.
Lemon & Lime Juice Market Overview
Lemon and lime juice are big business in the US. According to Grand View Research, the US citrus juice market size was valued at $4.8 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.7% through 2025. The market includes both 100% fruit juices as well as juice drinks and concentrates.
Some key factors driving the demand for lemon and lime juice include:
- Rising consumer interest in healthy beverages
- Popularity of citrus flavors among multiple demographics
- Increasing use in cooking and baking applications
- Prevalence in many ethnic and fusion cuisine recipes
In a 2020 Statista survey, 163.37 million Americans drank refrigerated juice and juice drinks. With such widespread consumption, it‘s no wonder that shoppers are constantly seeking out lemon and lime juice at stores like Walmart.
Where to Look for Lemon & Lime Juice at Walmart
Walmart is the largest grocer in the US, with over 4,700 stores and a market share of about 26%. Given its massive inventory, Walmart stocks lemon and lime juice in several departments based on the various ways they are used. Here is a detailed breakdown of where to look.
Juice Aisle
The non-refrigerated juice aisle is the first place to check for shelf-stable bottled lemon and lime juice at Walmart. This aisle is typically located in the center of the store near other beverages like soda, tea, and coffee.
At Walmart, expect to find major brands like:
- ReaLemon and ReaLime in 8-48 oz bottles
- Concord Foods lemon and lime juices in 4-32 oz bottles
- Santa Cruz Organic Pure Lemon and Pure Lime juices in 16 oz bottles
- Italian Volcano lemon and lime juices in 8.5-25.3 oz bottles
This aisle will have the widest variety of lemon and lime juice products in various sizes, as well as organic options and juice blends. A 32 oz (1 quart) bottle of ReaLemon sells for around $2.62 at Walmart, which is about 8 cents per ounce.
Condiments Aisle
Another spot to scope out is the condiments aisle, usually located near the salad dressings, vinegars, and marinades. Since lemon and lime juice are common ingredients in these products, some Walmart stores merchandise smaller bottles alongside them for shoppers‘ convenience.
Expect to find 8-15 oz bottles of brands like ReaLemon, ReaLime, and Santa Cruz Organic in this section. An 8 oz bottle of ReaLemon sells for around 98 cents at Walmart, or about 12 cents per ounce.
Baking Aisle
The baking aisle is another area where Walmart may stock lemon and lime juice, especially the 8 and 15 oz bottles used to add flavor to pies, tarts, cakes, and other desserts.
Look for lemon and lime juice near the baking powder, baking soda, yeast, and extracts. Walmart sells pure lemon extract as well for bakers who want a more concentrated flavor. A 1 oz bottle of McCormick Pure Lemon Extract sells for about $3.94.
Produce Section
Some Walmart locations also sell freshly squeezed lemon juice and lime juice in the refrigerated part of the produce section. If you prefer fresh over bottled, look near the bagged salads and pre-cut fruits for 15 oz bottles of brands like Natalie‘s and Evolution Fresh.
You will pay a premium for fresh juice, however. A 15 oz bottle of Evolution Fresh Organic Lemon Juice retails for about $6.28 at Walmart, or nearly 42 cents per ounce. Of course, you can also buy whole lemons and limes in the produce department to juice yourself.
Locating Lemon & Lime Juice at Other Retailers
Walmart‘s major competitors follow a similar strategy of stocking lemon and lime juice in multiple departments based on use case. Whether you‘re shopping at Kroger, Publix, Target, Whole Foods, or a local supermarket, check the following areas:
- Shelf-stable juice aisle for the widest selection of brands and sizes
- Condiments aisle near salad dressings and marinades for smaller bottles
- Baking supplies aisle for lemon and lime juice used in dessert recipes
- Refrigerated produce section for fresh lemon and lime juice
You can also use the store‘s mobile app or ask an associate for help locating lemon and lime juice products. Grocery delivery services like Instacart allow you to search for lemon and lime juice to see which aisles they are found in at your selected store.
Comparing Lemon and Lime Juice
While similar, there are some key differences between lemon juice and lime juice. Here is a comparison of their nutrition facts and culinary uses.
Nutrition Facts
According to data from the USDA, here are the nutrition facts for a 1 cup (244g) serving of raw lemon juice vs lime juice:
| Nutrient | Lemon Juice | Lime Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 54 kcal | 60 kcal |
| Protein | 1.1 g | 0.7 g |
| Fat | 0.6 g | 0.2 g |
| Carbs | 16 g | 19 g |
| Fiber | 0.3 g | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 3.4 g | 1.8 g |
| Calcium | 6.1 mg | 8.1 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg | 0.4 mg |
| Potassium | 138 mg | 102 mg |
| Vitamin C | 94.4 mg | 72.6 mg |
As you can see, lemon and lime juice have similar calorie and macronutrient profiles. However, lemon juice is slightly higher in sugar and vitamin C, while lime juice contains a bit more calcium.
Both are excellent sources of vitamin C, providing over 100% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) per cup. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that supports immune health, collagen synthesis, and iron absorption.
Culinary Uses
Lemon and lime juice are used in many of the same applications, but they do have some distinct flavor differences. Here are some common culinary uses:
Lemon Juice
- Lemonade and citrus-flavored beverages
- Cocktails like the lemon drop and whiskey sour
- Salad dressings, especially vinaigrettes
- Marinades for chicken, fish, and pork
- Sauces like lemon caper and hollandaise
- Baked goods like lemon meringue pie and pound cake
- Garnish for seafood dishes and roasted vegetables
Lime Juice
- Limeade and citrus-flavored sodas
- Cocktails like the margarita and mojito
- Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes
- Guacamole and salsa
- Marinades for beef and fish
- Key lime pie and other tropical desserts
- Garnish for tacos, nachos, and rice bowls
While they are sometimes interchangeable, lime juice has a more tart, bitter profile compared to lemon juice. Lime juice is essential in many Latin and Southeast Asian recipes, while lemon juice is more common in Mediterranean and European cooking.
Seasonal Availability and Peak Quality
Lemons and limes are available year-round in most supermarkets, but they do have peak seasons when quality and supply are at their highest. Understanding seasonality can help you select the best fruits for juicing.
Lemons
According to the Produce for Better Health Foundation, California produces 92% of the lemon crop in the US, followed by Arizona at 8%. The peak season for California lemons is:
- First crop: August to October
- Second crop: November to January
- Third crop: February to July
Meyer lemons, a specialty variety that is sweeter and less acidic, are in peak season from November to March.
Limes
Mexico is the largest producer and exporter of limes globally, accounting for 14% of the world‘s supply. The Mexican lime crop has two peak seasons:
- May to June
- September to October
Florida key limes are harvested from June to September, while Persian limes from California are available year-round with a peak in supply from May to September.
When limes and lemons are in peak season, you can expect higher quality fruits with more juice. Bottled lemon and lime juice have a much longer shelf life, with most brands guaranteeing freshness for 12-18 months after opening.
Consumer Shopping Behavior
Where and how consumers shop for lemon and lime juice depends on several factors, such as intended use, preference for fresh vs bottled, price sensitivity, and brand loyalty.
According to a 2019 report by Category Partners, 61% of US consumers buy refrigerated juices, while 16% opt for shelf-stable bottled juices. However, the split is more even when it comes to lemon and lime juice specifically.
A Statista survey found that 50% of consumers prefer fresh lemon or lime juice, while 49% choose bottled juice. ReaLemon is the leading brand of shelf-stable lemon juice with 72% market share, followed by Santa Cruz at 9% and Concord Foods at 7%.
Consumers tend to be more price sensitive when buying bottled juice, while they prioritize freshness and quality when buying whole lemons or limes to juice themselves. Many shoppers stock up on non-perishable lemon and lime juice to keep in their pantry, while buying fresh on-demand for special recipes.
Visibility and placement on store shelves also influences purchase behavior. Brands pay high slotting fees to secure prime positioning like eye-level and endcap placement. Secondary placements in high-traffic areas or near complementary items can boost sales as well.
Recipe Ideas & Inspiration
To inspire you to stock up on lemon and lime juice on your next Walmart run, here are some mouthwatering recipe ideas:
Cocktails
- Classic Margarita: Lime juice, tequila, Cointreau, salt rim
- Whiskey Sour: Lemon juice, whiskey, simple syrup, cherry garnish
- Lime Moscow Mule: Lime juice, vodka, ginger beer, mint garnish
Entrees
- Lemon Garlic Chicken: Chicken breast, garlic, lemon juice, herbs
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp: Shrimp, cilantro, lime juice, cumin
- Honey Lime Salmon: Salmon filet, honey, lime juice, chili powder
Sides & Sauces
- Cilantro Lime Rice: White rice, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil
- Avocado Lime Crema: Avocado, lime juice, cilantro, sour cream
- Lemon Dill Tahini Dressing: Tahini, dill, lemon juice, garlic
Desserts
- Lemon Bars: Shortbread crust, lemon custard, powdered sugar
- Key Lime Pie: Graham cracker crust, key lime custard, whipped cream
- Lemon Blueberry Scones: Flour, butter, blueberries, lemon zest, glaze
Whether you are juicing, cooking, baking, or mixing up cocktails, you‘ll never run out of uses for the lemon and lime juice in your fridge or pantry. Stock up on your next grocery run and let your culinary creativity shine!
The Bottom Line
From the juice aisle to the produce section, Walmart and other grocers make it convenient to find lemon and lime juice for all your cooking and beverage needs. Bottled juices offer shelf-stability and affordability, while fresh lemons and limes provide unbeatable homemade taste.
Having a steady supply of these citrus staples on hand will come in handy for everything from everyday dinner prep to special occasion baking. With this guide, you‘re now equipped with the knowledge and inspiration to shop for lemon and lime juice like a savvy retail expert. Pucker up and happy cooking!
