Can you freeze orange juice?

Orange juice seems to have become a staple in every fridge. Some people enjoy it freshly squeezed, while others prefer to buy a carton of good quality orange juice from the supermarket.

In either case, you often end up with leftover juice in the fridge.

Can orange juice be frozen? Yes, you can freeze orange juice to extend its shelf life. Whether store-bought or homemade, freezing works well for all types of orange juice. Commercial and homemade orange juice will last up to 12 and 4 months in the freezer if stored properly. 

In this article, you’ll get answers to all your questions about freezing orange juice, from freezing it in its original carton to freezing it in ice cube trays.

Does orange juice freeze well?

Like most citrus juices, orange juice freezes fairly well and does not undergo major flavor changes. The key is to freeze the juice while it is still good.

If you are very picky about your orange juice, you may find thawed juice slightly more watery. But in general, both the flavor and the consistency of the juice will be there after freezing and thawing.

That being said, not all orange juices are created equal.  Orange juice with a lot of pulp does not freeze as well as orange juice without pulp. 

Freezing and thawing alter the consistency of orange juice with pulp, making it thicker. And the pulp is no longer soft and juicy, but rather dry and not so pleasant when you go to drink the juice.

Therefore, if you want to freeze the orange juice with pulp, it is better that you strain it before freezing it, since this way you get better results.

Can store bought orange juice be frozen?

You can freeze store-bought orange juice. Whatever type of orange juice you prefer to buy, with or without pulp, natural or with additives, freezing will do for all of them.

Can you freeze homemade orange juice?

If you have too many oranges and don’t know what to do with them, you can make some freshly squeezed orange juice and freeze it for later use.

You can freeze orange juice the same way you freeze store-bought juice.

For best results, strain your homemade orange juice. As we have already said, orange juice without pulp freezes better.

You can strain the juice after thawing, but removing the pulp before freezing will give you better results.

Note : If you like your homemade orange juice with sugar, consider keeping the amount to a minimum when you plan to freeze the juice. The less sugar the juice has, the better and faster it will freeze. 

Can orange juice be frozen in plastic containers?

Yes you can freeze orange juice in plastic containers. But when you do, make sure you don’t use containers that are too big. Not only will it take a long time to thaw a large amount of juice, but you may end up with leftover juice.

Also, do not use a plastic container that is too large for the amount of juice that you are going to freeze. Leaving a lot of “extra” space in the container won’t do your juice any good. Contact with so much air will cause the juice to deteriorate more quickly.

Here are step-by-step instructions for freezing orange juice in plastic containers:

1. Pour the juice into the container of your choice. It is best to portion the juice by pouring it into several small containers that measure about a glass. Of course, you can use a large container to freeze the orange juice if you know you will need it all at once.
2. Leave about two centimeters of space between the juice and the lid.  When the juice freezes, it expands. Not leaving room for the liquid to expand can cause a mess in your fridge. The container may crack or open.
3. Close the lid of the container well . When choosing a container to freeze orange juice, make sure the lid is on properly. If you are not sure about the tightness of the lid, you can wrap it with a few layers of food paper to make sure it is airtight and does not leak.
4. Label the container with the date. If there are too many things in your walk-in cooler and you can’t keep track of the dates, labeling the items will help you use them within the recommended time frame.

Can orange juice be frozen in ice cube trays?

You can freeze orange juice in ice cube trays. Also, there are a few reasons why you should try freezing orange juice in ice cube trays at least once.

First of all, freezing orange juice in ice cube trays is effortless.

Second, because the pieces are smaller, they will defrost quickly when you need them.

Third, when you know there are 2 tablespoons of orange juice in each cube, it’s easy to defrost and use the juice in recipes that require exact measurements.

And finally, you can use the orange juice ice cubes to cool your drinks and your orange juice without diluting it.

Here’s how to freeze orange juice in ice cube trays.

1. Pour the orange juice into the ice cube tray of your choice.
2. Put the ice tray in the freezer.
3. Once the juice is completely frozen, place the tray in a resealable bag. If you need the tray for other purposes, you can take out the orange juice ice cubes and put them all in a single container or plastic bag.
4. Label the bag with the date.

Can you freeze a carton of orange juice?

You can freeze orange juice in its original carton.

A carton of orange juice lasts about a week after opening it . If you’ve opened one, used only a small amount, and know you’re not going to finish it anytime soon, freezing a carton of orange juice is a good idea.

All you have to do is screw the cap tight so it doesn’t leak.

You should never freeze an unopened carton of orange juice . Firstly, since there is no room for the liquid to expand, the container will eventually swell under the pressure and start to leak.

At worst, it will explode, creating a huge mess in your freezer.

Second, an unopened carton of orange juice has a very long shelf life. And also does not require any special storage conditions.

In most cases, cartoned orange juice should be stored in a cool, dark place, where it will keep for up to 2 years.

If it happens that you need to freeze a carton of orange juice that is still full, pour in a cup of juice. This will ensure that the carton remains intact once the juice inside freezes.

What is the best way to freeze orange juice?

Orange juice can be successfully frozen in plastic containers and ice cube trays, as well as in its original carton, as long as you know how to do it right. In fact, you can freeze orange juice in any container that is freezer-safe and airtight.

Depending on how it suits you to freeze the juice, i.e. in smaller portions or a large batch, you can choose the freezing method that suits you best.

How long can orange juice be frozen?

The shelf life of orange juice bought in the fridge is about 7 days. Freezing considerably extends the shelf life of orange juice. Orange juice stored in the freezer keeps well for 8 to 12 months.

The shelf life of homemade orange juice is comparatively shorter, whether you store it in the fridge or freezer. This has to do with the absence of preservatives in it.

Homemade orange juice will last up to 4 months in the freezer.

These dates are estimates of how long the orange juice will maintain its best flavor qualities when stored in the freezer. Whether made at home or store-bought, the juice will likely remain safe to consume beyond the times listed.

But the longer the juice stays in the freezer, the more its flavor will degrade.

How do you defrost orange juice?

There are two ways to thaw orange juice. The first method is to let the juice thaw in the fridge. Depending on the amount of juice you are thawing, it can take up to 12 hours to fully thaw.

The second method is to thaw the juice with the help of water. If you want to speed up the defrosting process, immerse the container with the orange juice in a bowl filled with water at room temperature.

You can drink the thawed orange juice or use it in various dishes. A small amount of orange juice will add a lot of aroma and warmth to your baked goods and desserts. You can also use it to make salad dressings, marinades, and sauces.

As for the orange juice ice cubes, it is not always necessary to defrost them. Use the orange juice ice cubes in shakes and smoothies, as well as to chill alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.