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.

I've made this easy, creamy key lime pie more times than I can count and it has never let me down.

I do make one tiny tweak to the recipe that gives it an even brighter flavor than the one on the bottle and I'll show you what it is below.

Jump to:

• What You Need for This Recipe
• How to Make Easy Key Lime Pie
• How to Make the Best Key Lime Pie Filling
• Ingredient Notes
• Tips for the Best Key Lime Pie
• Can I Use A 10-Inch Pie Crust?
• Key Lime Pie FAQ
• Should you refrigerate key lime pie?
• How long can key lime pie sit out?
• What happens if you overcook key lime pie?
• Does Key Lime Pie with Condensed Milk Need to Be Baked?
• PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER
• Recipe
• Comments

What You Need for This Recipe

You only need three ingredients for the filling plus a graham cracker crust.

• 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
• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lime zest. Find out how to zest a lime the right way. This is my favorite rasp grater for citrus.
• Whipped cream (for garnish, optional)

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.

How to Make Easy Key Lime Pie

1. Stir together the sweetened condensed milk and key lime juice in a mixing bowl
2. Whisk in three egg yolks. Stir until just incorporated. Whisking too vigorously will introduce air into the filling and lead to a spongy top layer.
3. Add a teaspoon of fresh lime zest and a squirt of fresh lime juice (no more than a teaspoon). Does not have to be a key lime.
4. Pour filling into a (9-inch or 10-inch) graham cracker crust and bake.
5. Cool completely then refrigerate until chilled.

Note: a 10-inch crust works just fine. The filling will be a little thinner and you may need to reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes.

The recipe on the back of the Nellie & Joe's bottle is already excellent.

After making it more times than I can count, I've found that adding one teaspoon of fresh lime zest and one teaspoon of fresh lime juice gives the pie a brighter, fresher flavor without changing the simplicity of the original recipe.

How to Make the Best Key Lime Pie Filling

Ingredient Notes

Use Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice

There's no need to squeeze a zillion tiny key limes when a bottle of Nellie & Joe's Key West Lime Juice gives you reliable, consistent flavor. You won't usually find it in the juice aisle. Look in the mixer section near the liquor department.

Don't Use Imitation Lime Juice

Skip the bottled imitation lime juice in the produce section. It doesn't have the same flavor and won't give this pie the taste you're after.

Use Fresh Lime Zest for Better Flavor

I always add 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest and 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice from a regular grocery store lime before baking. It brightens the flavor without changing the simplicity of the original recipe. No need to hunt down fresh key limes for this step.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Is Essential

Be sure to buy sweetened condensed milk not evaporated milk. They aren't interchangeable, and your pie won't set properly if you use evaporated milk.

Tips for the Best Key Lime Pie

Do I Need a Homemade Graham Cracker Crust?

No. I love a homemade graham cracker crust, but I use a store-bought crust most of the time because it's quick, convenient and tastes great. If you'd rather make your own, here's my homemade graham cracker crust recipe.

Chill Before Serving

After baking, let the pie cool to room temperature before refrigerating it for at least a couple of hours. Key lime pie slices best and tastes best when it's thoroughly chilled.

Garnish Before Serving

A dollop of whipped cream and a few lime slices are all this pie needs. The whipped cream balances the tart filling and gives it that classic key lime pie look.

Can I Use A 10-Inch Pie Crust?

Key Lime Pie 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 starts 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.

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.

Love key lime desserts? Try my No-Bake Key Lime Pie if you don't want to turn on the oven, or my Classic Key Lime Pie if you're looking for an ultra-creamy version made with fresh lime juice.

Looking for something to bring to a cookout or potluck? My Key Lime Pie Bars and Key Lime Cheesecake Dip are always crowd-pleasers.

If you'd rather make your own crust, here's my favorite graham cracker pie crust recipe.

PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER

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

What to do with leftover key lime juice.