This short guide will highlight the different options available when it comes to freezing orange juice as well as other information that you will find useful.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice?
You can freeze both fresh and store bought orange juice with no problem.
Freezing your orange juice is a good option to consider, especially if you have excess cartons that you had purchased on sale from the grocery store or if you made a batch of fresh orange juice and wanted to preserve it to have it at another time.
Frozen orange juice can also be used in smoothies, but that depends if you freeze it as ice cubes (We explain that process below).
Freezing orange juice is really a quick and easy process. Depending on how you buy or make your orange juice, there are different options available for storage.
The 3 most common options people consider when storing in the freezer are:
Freezing The Carton
Freezing in a Container
Freezing in an Ice Tray
Option #1: Freezing a Carton
Freezing a carton of orange juice is the simplest process and it really is just place in a carton in the freezer
Option #2: Freezing Fresh Orange Juice
There is nothing better than freshly squeezed orange juice and preserving it for a later date is possible because of the freezer, so you will always have some on hand when needed.
Step 1: Squeeze Your Oranges
The first thing you will need to do is cut and squeeze some oranges so that you have fresh orange juice.
Step 2: Pour in a Freezer Safe Container
When it comes time to freeze your orange juice, you are going to want to make sure that it is in a container that is designed for the freezer. Rigid glass or a specific freezer container works best.
Option #3: Freezing as Ice Cubes
If you are someone who uses oranges in their smoothies, then freezing the orange juice in ice cube trays is one of the better options to consider.
You will be able to pop out one or two cubes when needed, as opposed to having to deal with a whole carton or container that is frozen solid.
Step 1: Pour Orange Juice in Ice Trays
You are going to need a couple of ice trays and you will feel them out with freshly squeezed or store bought orange juice.
Step 2: Place in the Freezer
Once the ice trays are filled up, you are going to place them in the freezer for a couple of hours or until the orange juice ice cubes are frozen solid.
Step 3: Transfer to a Freezer Safe Bag/Container
You can now remove the frozen orange juice ice cubes from the ice trays. Place these cubes in a freezer safe bag or container.
You will now be able to take hold individual servings as needed if you want to use them in a smoothie, defrost them to make orange juice or if you just want to eat them.
As you can see, freezing OJ is pretty easy and thawing it out is just as simple. All you need to do is take it out of the freezer and either allow it thaw out overnight in the refrigerator, or you can let it stand on a kitchen counter till it melts. If you are in rush, you could also run it under a pipe till it is fully thawed out.
Once it has thawed, the juice will have a bit of separation, this is normal. All you need to do is shake it thoroughly, or mix it around and your juice will be just as good as when it first went into the freezer.
Note: Please keep in mind that after it has thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It is a good idea to have it as soon as possible, just to maximize the flavor.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice in a Plastic Bottle?
Yes, you can freeze orange juice that comes in a plastic bottle. Plastic will hold up with no problems in the freezer and is one of the better freezer container options.
With over a decade of exploring tech, food, travel, and beyond, Jeremy Dixon knows what’s worth your attention. A seasoned content curator, he uncovers the gems that make life more interesting, backed by solid research and a passion for quality.
