Makrut lime leaves (kaffir lime leaves)

ใบมะกรูด / bai makrut; daun jeruk purut

Flavor and role

Lime leaves shaped like two leaves joined together, with a strong, bright citrus aroma. Tear them into broths; for stir-fries and salads, shred them very finely.

Typical dishes and uses

Tom yum goong, green curry, Thai fish cakes (tod man pla), rendang, sambal.

Substitutes

2 leaves = 1 tsp lime zest (+ ½ bay leaf). Weaker, but the closest.

Storage

In a zip bag, 2 weeks in the fridge; frozen, the aroma lasts nearly 1 year.

Main countries

Thailand · Indonesia · LA

Used in this book

Ayam Goreng (Indonesian Fried Chicken)Fish Amok (Amok Trey)Thai Green Curry with Chicken (Gaeng Keow Wan)Num Banh ChokPanang Chicken Curry (Phanaeng Gai)RawonBeef rendangSamlor KorkoSoto AyamTom Kha GaiTom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup)Thai Red Curry Coconut AlbóndigasGreen Curry Coconut Arroz con Pollo (Colombian × Thai)Thai Coconut-Lemongrass AsopaoAyam Goreng Lengkuas (Galangal-Crumb Fried Chicken)Ayam Goreng Tacos with Sambal Matah (Indonesian × Mexican)Ayam Goreng Popcorn Chicken with Kecap Manis Butter GlazeAyam Penyet KremesBeef Rendang Bitterballen with Sambal Mayo (Dutch × Indonesian)Thai Red Curry Cazuela with Coconut, Pumpkin and CornCoconut Lemongrass Clam ChowderThai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaTom Yum Egg Drop Soup (Thai x Chinese)Silky Amok with Toasted Kroeung and Coconut CreamAmok Moules Marinière with BaguetteBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoGado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PasteGreen Curry Fried Rice with Crispy Fried EggThai-Style Coconut Chicken and Squash CurryHand-Chopped Larb Gai with Lemongrass Khao Khua and Crispy Chicken SkinRed Curry Coconut Lion's Head Meatballs (Chinese × Thai)Thai red curry moqueca with lemongrassThai Red Curry Coconut CouscousSmoky Grilled-Fish Num Banh ChokKroeung Fish Cakes with Coconut Curry Dip and Herb WrapsTom Yum Seafood PaellaSlow-Braised Beef Panang (Phanaeng Neua) with Toasted SpicesPanang Beef Cottage Pie with Coconut Sweet Potato Mash (Thai × British)Panang Pork Smash Burger with Peanut-Lime SlawTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsRawon Iga (Beef Short Rib Rawon) with Sambal TerasiRawon Beef Ragù Pappardelle with Salted Egg Yolk (Indonesian × Italian)Rawon Beef Sliders with Salted Egg Mayo and Sprout SlawPadang-style dry rendangRendang beef tacosCrispy rendang wingsTom Kha Coconut SamgyetangSamlor Korko with Slow-Simmered Pork Ribs and Smoked FishKroeung Miso Pork Hot Pot (Cambodian × Japanese)Kroeung Pork and Roasted Pumpkin Rice Bowl with Toasted Rice CrunchCharcoal Sate Madura with Fried-Peanut SauceSayur Lodeh Coconut Gratin with Tempeh CrumbTom Yum Shabu-ShabuSoto Ayam Lamongan with KoyaSoto Ayam RamenSoto Fried Rice with a Golden Broth ShotTom Yum Sundubu JjigaeCoconut-Lemongrass Chicken Thukpa (Nepali × Thai)Tom Kha Gai with Quick Bone Stock and Charred AromaticsTom Kha Coconut Miso RamenTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice BowlCreamy Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon with Shrimp-Head StockTom Yum Shrimp Cream SpaghettiCrispy Tom Yum Fried Rice with Jammy EggThai Coconut Lemongrass White Chicken ChiliTom Yum Prawn Soup Dumplings (Thai × Shanghai)

Updated 2026-10-10