Key Lime Pie
Tart lime custard in a graham crust under meringue. · United States
Tart lime custard in a graham crust under meringue.
About Key Lime Pie
The juice of tiny Key limes is whisked with condensed milk and egg yolks into a tangy custard set in a buttery graham-cracker crust, topped with meringue or cream. It is the official pie of Florida.
🏛️ History & Culture
The origins of Key Lime Pie are debated, though it is firmly rooted in the Florida Keys, where the small, aromatic Key limes were abundant. The key ingredient sweetened condensed milk became essential because fresh milk and refrigeration were scarce in the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and some accounts link the pie to early local cooks or to the marketing of condensed milk, but no single story is universally accepted.
Key Lime Pie became the official state pie of Florida in 2006, cementing its status as a cultural emblem of the Sunshine State. Regional variations include a meringue topping versus whipped cream, and a graham-cracker crust that is now standard, though earlier versions sometimes used a pastry crust — while the filling's tart, custard-like character remains the defining constant.
Recipes from travellers
No one has shared their own Key Lime Pie recipe yet. Yours would be the first.
Share how you make Key Lime Pie
You'll need to be signed in with Google or Facebook so your name can appear on it. Recipes go through an automatic food-safety check before they publish.
Sign in to share your recipe
Key Lime Pie — frequently asked questions
What is Key Lime Pie?
The juice of tiny Key limes is whisked with condensed milk and egg yolks into a tangy custard set in a buttery graham-cracker crust, topped with meringue or cream. It is the official pie of Florida.
What is Key Lime Pie made of?
Key Lime Pie is made with key lime, condensed milk, egg yolk, graham crust and cream.
Where does Key Lime Pie come from?
Key Lime Pie comes from United States, and is especially associated with Florida. The origins of Key Lime Pie are debated, though it is firmly rooted in the Florida Keys, where the small, aromatic Key limes were abundant.
Where can I eat Key Lime Pie?
A Florida Keys café, served cold and tart.
Taste Key Lime Pie in New York
Independent picks. We earn a small commission if you book through these — at no extra cost to you. How this works.
✅ Before you go to United States
Round out your trip — most travellers book these alongside their trip.
More dishes like Key Lime Pie
Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
A deep, buttery crust loaded with cheese and chunky sauce.
Spam Musubi
Grilled Spam over rice, wrapped in a band of nori.
Chili con Carne
Spicy stew of beef, chillies and sometimes beans.
Banana Bread
Moist sweet loaf made from very ripe bananas.
Canadian Prairie Fire
Canadian Prairie Fire is a beloved cocktail, traditional to the United States.
Fish House Punch
Hailing from the United States, Fish House Punch is a much-loved cocktail.
Kuih Lapis
Kuih Lapis is a beloved cake, traditional to Indonesia.
Akutaq
Indigenous Alaskan "ice cream" of whipped caribou or seal oil folded with seasonal berries and snow, served at Nalukataq in Utqiaġvik.
Baklava
Crisp layered filo, butter and nuts baked golden and soaked in honey syrup — the shared jewel of Greek and Ottoman sweets.
Imagawayaki
Round Japanese wheel-cake cooked in a heavy cast-iron clam mould, filled with sweet red bean paste and sold at shrine approaches and matsuri stalls.
Koeksister
Plaited fried dough drenched in cold sugar syrup.
Diri ak Djon Djon
Black rice cooked with rare wild djon djon mushrooms.
Flan
Silky baked caramel custard turned out to serve.
Tamales de Capitas o Siete Cueros
Tamales de Capitas o Siete Cueros is a vegetable dish from Mexico.
Gringas
Gringas is a street food from Mexico.
Nacatamal
Large banana-leaf tamale stuffed with pork and rice.
- 🇺🇸 Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza · United States
- 🇺🇸 Spam Musubi · United States
- 🇺🇸 Chili con Carne · United States
- 🇺🇸 Banana Bread · United States
- 🇺🇸 Canadian Prairie Fire · United States
- 🇺🇸 Fish House Punch · United States
- 🇮🇩 Kuih Lapis · Indonesia
- 🇺🇸 Akutaq · United States
- 🇬🇷 Baklava · Greece
- 🇯🇵 Imagawayaki · Japan
- 🇿🇦 Koeksister · South Africa
- 🇭🇹 Diri ak Djon Djon · Haiti
- 🇲🇽 Flan · Mexico
- 🇲🇽 Tamales de Capitas o Siete Cueros · Mexico
- 🇲🇽 Gringas · Mexico
- 🇳🇮 Nacatamal · Nicaragua
Travel guides for United States
All travel guides →Planning a trip where Key Lime Pie is on the menu? These guides cover United States and beyond.
City Breaks New York City on a Budget: How to See NYC Without Going Broke in 2026
May 16, 2026 · 6 min read
Budget Travel The Price of a Plate: What the National Dish Costs in 50 Countries (2026 Index)
Sep 02, 2026 · 6 min read
City Breaks 3 Days in Seville: The Perfect Long-Weekend Itinerary (2026)
Jul 06, 2026 · 6 min read
City Breaks 3 Days in Budapest: The Perfect Long-Weekend Itinerary (2026)
Jun 06, 2026 · 6 min read
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with Key Lime Pie.
Write a review
Sign in to verify you're a real person, then share your thoughts on Key Lime Pie.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to say something about Key Lime Pie.