Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to get an extra boost of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. However, one downside of juicing is that it separates the juice from the pulp – the fiber-rich portion of the produce.
This leaves many people wondering – what should I do with all this pulp? Is it possible to use it for anything, or does it need to just go in the trash?
What is Juicer Pulp?
Juicer pulp is simply the fibrous material that gets separated from the juice during the juicing process. When produce is pressed or squeezed to extract the liquid, the insoluble fiber portions are left behind in the pulp catcher of the juicer.
The pulp consists of cell walls, fiber, skins, seeds, and other solid parts from fruits and vegetables. Since juicers extract the easily digestible fluids and leave behind the fiber, the leftover pulp is drier and not as palatable to eat directly.
However, just because the pulp is the by-product of juicing doesn’t mean you have to throw it away! There are actually several uses for that nutritious fibrous pulp if you get a little creative.
Benefits of Juicer Pulp
Juice pulp is full of healthy fiber, nutrients, and plant compounds, so you shouldn’t let it go to waste! Here are some of the top benefits of using up leftover pulp:
- High in fiber – Fiber is important for digestion, heart health, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and feeding the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Juicer pulp contains the insoluble fiber left over after juicing.
- Extra nutrients – Pulp packs in all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that are present in whole fruits and vegetables. This includes potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
- Gut health – The fiber found in produce pulp acts as a prebiotic. This nourishes probiotic gut bacteria and helps maintain a healthy microbiome.
- Free – Juice pulp is simply the byproduct of something you are already making, so putting it to use is an easy way to get extra nutrients and fiber for free.
- Sustainable – Finding uses for pulp reduces food waste and helps you get the most out of the produce you buy.
How to Use Juice Pulp
From smoothies to baked goods, compost to skin scrubs, there are so many creative ways to use up your leftover juicing pulp. Here are some of the best uses for it:
Smoothies
One of the easiest ways to use juice pulp is to toss it into your morning smoothie. The pulp adds extra fiber and nutrients, providing a boost to any blended drink. Banana, mango, and berry smoothies pair well with citrus or green veggie pulp.
Baked Goods
For some extra nutrition in your muffins, breads, and other baked treats, add in some spare juice pulp. For every 1 cup of flour, you can swap in up to 1/4 cup of finely chopped fruit or veggie pulp. Applesauce and zucchini bread are especially delicious with added pulp.
Energy Bites
Whip up some homemade energy bite snacks using your juicer remnants. Mix the pulp with nuts, oats, honey, and other binders. Then simply roll into balls and enjoy these healthy fiber and nutrient-filled snacks on-the-go.
Pancakes
Give your breakfast pancakes a healthy boost by folding some leftover pulp into the batter. Up to 1 cup of any fruit pulp – like apple, berry, or citrus – can be substituted for an equal amount of flour. The pulp makes the pancakes extra moist and flavorful.
Muffins
For a convenient fiber-filled breakfast or snack, pulp muffins are a great option. Replace up to 1/3 of the flour in any muffin recipe with finely chopped juice pulp. Carrot, apple, and banana all make great additions. Be sure to reduce any added liquid to account for the extra moisture from the pulp.
Soup Stock
Don’t let veggie pulp from juicing carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, or herbs go to waste. Simmer the pulp in water or broth to create a nutrient-packed homemade stock. Strain out the solids and use this savory stock as a base for soups, stews, or risottos.
Compost
One of the most eco-friendly ways to use up juice pulp is by adding it to your compost pile. The pulp will break down into a rich nutrient source for your garden soil. However, try to use pulp soon after juicing, as molded or rotted pulp should not be composted.
Face Scrub
Mix your citrus fruit pulp with a bit of honey or olive oil to make an exfoliating face or body scrub. The coarse pulp helps slough off dry skin, while the natural acids brighten dull skin. Rub gently onto face, lips, hands, elbows, or anywhere needing a boost.
Dehydrated Snacks
For a crunchy, healthy snack, spread your pulp onto a baking sheet and dehydrate it in the oven at 200°F until completely dried out. Season with spices and munch on the pulp chips as a high-fiber alternative to potato chips or crackers.
Frozen Pulp
If you won’t use up the leftover pulp quickly enough, freeze it! Spread a thin layer onto a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer to a ziplock bag or container. Keep frozen up to 6 months. Use in smoothies, baked goods, or other recipes.
Tips for Using Juice Pulp
Follow these simple tips to get the most out of repurposing your juicer remnants:
- Try to use the pulp within a day or two for the best flavor and to avoid spoilage.
- Store pulp in the fridge until ready to use. Place in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
- Rinse off excess juice or liquid from the pulp to prevent sogginess in recipes.
- Compost any moldy or rotten pulp scraps instead of consuming them.
- Freeze excess pulp in recipe-sized portions to use later.
- Pulverize large chunks of peel or fiber in a food processor if a recipe calls for finely chopped pulp.
- Reduce any other liquids in recipes to account for the extra moisture from the pulp.
- Get creative with spice mixes and flavor combos! Savory pulp works great in crackers, breads, and veggie fritters.
What Not to Do With Juice Pulp
While there are endless healthy ways to use up fruit and vegetable juicing leftovers, there are a couple of things you should avoid:
- Do not compost moldy or rotten pulp – Toss any pulp that is past its prime or becoming slimy. Only add fresh pulp to your compost bin.
- Avoid adding too much pulp to baked goods – Excess pulp can make muffins or breads dense and wet. Start by subbing in 1/4 to 1/3 cup pulp per 1 cup of flour.
- Don’t give excess pulp to pets – Large amounts of fruit or veggie pulp can cause indigestion and diarrhea in dogs and cats. Only offer small amounts occasionally as treats.
- Don’t put pulp down the garbage disposal – The stringy fibers can get tangled and clog drains. Compost pulp instead of sending down the disposal.
Most Versatile Juice Pulps
While almost any fruit or vegetable pulp can be repurposed into other foods, some types are especially versatile in both sweet and savory dishes. Here are the top kinds of juice pulp to get creative with:
Apple
Sweet apple pulp compliments both baked goods and savory dishes like fritters. It also adds fiber to smoothies.
Carrot
In addition to muffins and breads, carrot pulp can be used in pancakes, kombucha, energy bars, and pasta dishes.
Beet
Vibrant pink beet pulp livens up pancakes, muffins, slaws, and veggie burgers.
Spinach
Mild-flavored spinach pulp works well in green smoothies, frittatas, pasta, and cooked into soups.
Berry
From smoothie bowls to fruit crisps, sweet berry pulp is delicious added into any fruit-based dish or dessert.
Citrus
Bright citrus pulp adds flavor to smoothies, cakes, muffins, curds, and energizing drinks. Use in scrubs too.
Ginger
Spicy ginger is excellent for flavoring marinades, stir fries, teas, and added to pumpkin dishes.
Best Juicer for Pulp-Saving
To get the most usable pulp from your juicing habits, you’ll want to choose the best style of juicer. Here is a comparison of different types of juicers and how much wet pulp they produce:
| Juicer Type | Pulp Description |
|---|---|
| Centrifugal | Drier pulp, pulverized from high speeds |
| Masticating | Moist pulp, may have some larger pieces |
| Triturating | Very wet, finely ground pulp |
| Citrus Press | Large chunks and strands of wet citrus peel |
Masticating and triturating juicers produce a pulp with more usable texture and moisture. Centrifugal machines yield a much drier pulp that may work better for baking. Citrus presses leave pulp that needs to be chopped but is great for cooking.
Recipe Ideas Using Juice Pulp
Try out these recipe ideas that make the most of your juicing leftovers:
Carrot Cake Energy Bites
Mix 1 cup carrot pulp, 1/2 cup oats, 1/3 cup nut butter, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup raisins. Roll into balls and coat in coconut.
Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl
Blend 1 apple pulp, 1 banana, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 tsp cinnamon. Top with granola and apple slices.
Spinach & Tomato Soup
Simmer 1 cup spinach pulp and 1 cup tomato pulp in 4 cups broth. Puree until smooth. Garnish with basil.
Blueberry Juice Pulp Muffins
Fold 1 cup blueberry pulp into muffin batter. Bake at 400F for 18-22 minutes. Top with streusel crumble.
Ginger Lime Juice Pulp Stir Fry
Stir fry 1 cup ginger pulp and 1/2 cup lime pulp with veggies, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Serve over rice.
Conclusion
Don’t let the mountain of pulp from your juicing efforts go to waste! With a little creativity, you can transform leftover juice pulp into nourishing snacks, meals, and treats. Making the most of the unused fiber and nutrients saves money and reduces food waste too.
Next time you empty the pulp catcher in your juicer, try composting it, freezing it, or whipping up something delicious. Your gut and tastebuds will thank you for it!
From smoothies to soups, baked goods to face scrubs, there are so many ways to put fruit and veggie juicing remnants to good use. Now that you know how to use that spare pulp, you can juice with confidence and prevent waste.
