How do you make OJ without a juicer?
Welcome back, food lovers! I’m excited to share with you today some clever ways to make fresh, homemade orange juice without using a juicer. I know juicers can be expensive appliances that take up a lot of counter space, so going juicer-less is a great option for people wanting to get their daily dose of vitamin C without breaking the bank.
What You’ll Need
The good news is you can make OJ with just a few simple kitchen tools you probably already have at home. Here’s a quick look at the short list of supplies you’ll need:
- Oranges
- A knife
- A reamer or citrus press
- A fine mesh strainer
- A glass, jar, or pitcher
- A spoon
That’s it! With just those basic supplies, you’ll be ready to make fresh squeezed orange juice sans juicer.
Step 1: Cut and squeeze
Start by thoroughly washing the oranges. Always give your produce a good rinse before you start prepping.
Next, use your knife to cut the oranges in half width-wise. This exposes more juice sacs and makes squeezing easier.
Place a half orange cut-side down into your reamer or citrus press. Apply downward pressure and twist back and forth to squeeze all the juice from each half.
Rotate the orange periodically and move it up and down in the reamer to thoroughly extract all the liquid.
Step 2: Strain the juice
Pour the freshly squeezed juice through a fine mesh strainer into a glass, jar, or pitcher. This will catch any seeds or pulp.
Use a spoon to press down on the solids, squeezing out all the remaining liquid.
Discard the strained pulp and seeds. Compost if available!
Step 3: Enjoy!
Now just chill your homemade OJ until cold and enjoy! Fresh squeezed orange juice tastes so bright and flavorful.
For an extra treat, try adding a splash of sparkling water or champagne for a fun twist on a mimosa.
Handy Tips for Juicer-Free OJ
Here are some bonus tips to help you get the most out of making DIY orange juice without a juicer:
- Roll oranges firmly on the counter before squeezing to break up juice sacs inside.
- Microwave oranges for 30 seconds to soften before squeezing for maximum yield.
- Squeeze lemon or lime juice into OJ to help prevent browning.
- Make a big batch and freeze portions for later.
- Use Seville/bitter oranges for a traditional breakfast juice flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may still have some questions about crafting your own OJ without a juicer. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
What kind of oranges work best?
Navel oranges are ideal for juicing as they contain few seeds and lots of juice. Valencia, blood oranges, or other thin-skinned varieties also work well.
How much juice do you get per orange?
On average, one medium orange yields around 1/3 to 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed juice.
How long does homemade orange juice last?
OJ without preservatives lasts 3-5 days refrigerated. You can freeze OJ for 2-3 months.
Is hand squeezed juice better?
Absolutely! Freshly squeezing juice preserves more nutrients like vitamin C. Store-bought juice is pasteurized, which destroys some vitamins.
Can you use a blender instead of juicer?
You can, but it won’t fully separate pulp from juice. Expect a thicker, pulpy beverage. Straining will help remove some pulp.
Nutrition Information
Homemade orange juice is not only delicious, but also packed with key nutrients. Here’s how a 1 cup serving stacks up:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 112 |
| Carbs | 25g |
| Sugar | 21g |
| Fiber | 0.5g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Vitamin C | 124mg |
| Potassium | 496mg |
As you can see, fresh OJ is an excellent source of immune-boosting vitamin C. It also provides potassium, an important electrolyte.
Ways to Use Homemade OJ
Fresh squeezed orange juice is endlessly versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy juicer-free OJ:
- Drink it straight up!
- Make frozen OJ cubes for cooling drinks without diluting.
- Mix with vanilla yogurt, milk, and cinnamon for a creamsicle smoothie.
- Whisk into vinaigrettes, glazes, and sauces for a tangy note.
- Use in place of water when baking cakes, muffins, and breads.
- Amp up the flavor of a mimosa by replacing champagne with fresh OJ.
- Combine with rum or tequila for a sunshine-y cocktail.
Conclusion
I hope these tips have shown you just how easy and rewarding it can be to make your own orange juice at home without a juicer. All it takes are a few simple tools, fresh oranges, and a bit of elbow grease.
Homemade OJ is incredibly nutritious and tasty. Plus you can control the ingredient list. Try customizing your juice with blood oranges, Meyer lemon juice, mint, or other fun mix-ins.
Let me know if you give this juicer-free method a try! I’d love to hear your feedback and juicing tips in the comments.