Nellie & Joe's Famous Key Lime Pie Recipe (Just 3 Ingredients)

Nellie and Joe's Key Lime Pie is made with just three ingredients (plus a pie crust), and it's perfect for a party, a potluck—or even a random Tuesday. This pie is practically fail-proof—but I’ve got a few pro tips to make sure it turns out perfect every time.

Jump to:

• What You Need for This Recipe
• How to Make This Pie
• Step by Step Photos
• Ingredient Notes
• Key Lime Pie Recipe Notes
• Reader Question
• FAQ
• Should you refrigerate key lime pie?
• How long can key lime pie sit out?
• What happens if you overcook key lime pie?
• Where do I find Nellie and Joe's Key Lime Juice?
• Does Key Lime Pie with Condensed Milk Need to Be Baked?
• PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER
• Recipe
• Comments

This is our family favorite, go-to, easy, no-fuss, always turns out perfectly dessert.

Make a graham cracker pie crust from scratch, and it will be really amazing!

I've got you covered if you'd rather make a no-bake key lime pie, which is also eggless. Or keep it simple with a Key Lime Cheesecake Dip.

And if you'd rather make key lime pie bars, I've got you covered.

You should definitely make it this season, even if you're just hosting a party of two. 😉

What You Need for This Recipe

• ½ cup Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice
• 3 egg yolks, room temperature
• 12-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
• 9-inch or 10-inch graham cracker crust or Keebler pie crust
• zest from a fresh lime (optional). Find out how to zest a lime the right way.
• whipped cream (for garnish, optional)

How to Make This Pie

1. You're going to stir or beat on low all the ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Pour the mixture into a graham cracker crust.
3. Bake at 350F° for 20 minutes.
4. Let it cool, then put it in the fridge to chill.
5. Slice and serve with whipped cream.

"My key lime pie recipe," which is printed on the back of Nellie and Joe's Key West Lime Juice, calls for a 9-inch graham cracker pie crust and just three ingredients: a 14-ounce can of condensed milk, three egg yolks, and a half cup of key lime juice. 

I gild the lily by using a Microplane zester to incorporate fresh lime zest from Persian limes into the pie filling, but it's not necessary. 

Learn how to zest a lime the right way.

Step by Step Photos

Ingredient Notes

There’s no need to squeeze a zillion tiny, fresh key limes when you can buy a bottle of Nellie & Joe’s Key West Lime Juice at the grocery. 

Despite the name, key lime juice, you’re not going to find Nellie & Joe’s in the juice aisle. It will usually be in the mixer section of your grocery store's liquor aisle. 

You could substitute key lime juice with juicing regular Persian limes, but your pie won’t turn out as delicious.

Having said that, I do grate a regular, fresh lime from the grocery store and juice it to add a bit of fresh zest and juice to the pie right before baking. It gives the lime pie a fresher flavor.

Whatever you do, don’t buy a bottle of plain, old imitation lime juice in the produce section of your grocery store for this pie. Your pie won't turn out that delicious.

If you’re not going to use Nellie & Joe’s, then juice Persian limes; those are the limes available in most produce sections at grocery stores.

But do add regular limes to your shopping list along with Joe’s lime juice because I recommend grating a bit of fresh lime zest into the pie mixture.

And, you’ll need to slice a few limes for garnish. 

You’ll also want whipped cream for garnish, along with the lime slices. I think a traditional key lime pie is best served with whipped cream.

Be sure to use sweetened condensed milk. This is a thick, sweet liquid, which will help your pie set up.

Cooks get confused while shopping sometimes and buy cans of evaporated milk instead. Your pie will not turn out if you use evaporated milk.

Key Lime Pie Recipe Notes

Is a homemade graham cracker crust necessary for key lime pie? 

No. While I adore a homemade graham cracker crust probably even more than the next person, 9 times out of 10 I use a store-bought graham cracker crust.

But here's a recipe for homemade graham cracker pie crust, just in case.

After you bake the pie, you'll want to let it cool to room temperature and then put it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.

A perfect key lime pie is served chilled.

Reader Question

FAQ

Should you refrigerate key lime pie?

Yes. Key Lime Pie contains egg yolks and condensed milk, so it needs to be stored in a refrigerator.

How long can key lime pie sit out?

Don't let the pie sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. Bacteria start to develop between 40°F and 140°F.

What happens if you overcook key lime pie?

The pie will lose its creaminess, but it will still be edible unless you burn it.

Where do I find Nellie and Joe's Key Lime Juice?

You can find Nellie and Joe's at most supermarkets as well as liquor stores. You'll usually find it in the mixers area next to the liquors.

Does Key Lime Pie with Condensed Milk Need to Be Baked?

Yes, bake your key lime pie, or it isn't going to set up enough for you to slice it without running all over your dessert plate.
There is a ton of debate about this on the interwebs, including over at Chowhound.

PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER

If you're a fan of easy desserts, try St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake (aka The Cake You Won't Stop Eating) or learn how to make Gooey Butter Cake From Scratch. This Key Lime Pie recipe is also included in my What Desserts to Make with an Empty Cupboard feature

Citrus desserts are one of my specialties, like No-Churn Orange Sherbet, No Bake Key Lime Pie, Lemon Icebox Pie, Lemon Bars, Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust, or Lemon Poke Cake.

If you're out of sweetened condensed milk, see this Condensed Milk Substitute.

What to do with leftover key lime juice.