Are you all out of orange juice but need it for a recipe? Have no fear! There are a number of kitchen staples you can use as an orange juice substitute in any recipe.
My family knows I won’t make a special trip to the grocery store for a single ingredient and that means I spend a good chunk of time finding the best substitutes for the various ingredients I run out of.
And orange juice is one of those that seems to be all out when I need it most. So if you are looking for a great alternative to orange juice then this is the article for you!
So what are the best substitutes for orange juice?
The best substitutes for orange juice in a recipe are orange concentrate, lemon juice, orange extract, citric acid, Grand Marnier, Meyer lemons, vinegar, or Coke.
Read on for more on each of these orange juice alternatives and how to use them in your recipe.
Orange Juice Alternatives
Whether you are baking an orange inspired dessert, making a delicious citrus marinade, or mixing cocktails there are a number of great alternatives to orange juice you can use.
Make sure to read on for what substitutes are best for your recipe and how to use them.
Orange Concentrate
Orange concentrate, sometimes called “squeezed juice,” is the frozen juice from oranges. You can find a number of different orange concentrate options available at your local grocery store.
One of the benefits of using orange concentrate is that they are made from high quality, fresh oranges and they can be used in a wide variety of recipes including baking and cocktails. Mix up the orange concentrate according to the instruction on the can and use in place of your fresh orange juice.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a great alternative for orange juice. Lemon juice can be bought at your local grocery store in the produce section or you can buy it ready made in glass bottles. You can also find lemon juice concentrate that comes with no-sugar added and cane sugar added.
The addition of lemon juice to a recipe will only add a hint of flavor and will not overpower any other flavors if used in small amounts to replace one part orange juice for every four parts lemon juice.
Related: How long does lemon juice last
Orange Extract
Orange extract is a common substitute for orange juice and it comes in three different varieties: oil, liquid, and imitation.
Orange extract that comes in an oil form is a little more potent than the liquid and imitation extracts. You can use orange extract as a substitute for fresh squeezed orange juice in your baking recipes by adding one-fifth teaspoon of orange extract to replace one part fresh orange juice.
Related: Orange Extract Substitutes
Citric Acid
Citric acid is a good orange juice replacement for recipes that call for citrus zest and orange juice. Citric acid is a preservative so you’ll need to add it to the recipe after it has finished cooking if you want to preserve it.
Citric acid is also used in baking recipes where it is added to most fruit cakes and pies. You can substitute citric acid for orange juice in your favorite baked goods by adding one-quarter teaspoon of citric acid with every cup of sugar.
Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier is a great orange juice substitute for recipes that call for champagne.
You can find Grand Marnier high in alcohol and only comes in the form of a liqueur. So how exactly does one use Grand Marnier as an orange juice alternative?
The easiest way to use Grand Marnier as an orange juice substitute is to strain the liqueur through a coffee filter into your recipe and then add your liquid back to the original measurements.
Meyer Lemons
Meyer Lemons are a great replacement for fresh squeezed orange juice.
Meyer Lemons can be squeezed for the fresh zesty juice that makes a perfect replacement for orange juice in any recipe. Go with a 1:1 replacement ratio.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a great substitute for orange juice. You can find a number of types of vinegar available at your local grocery store. It is perfect for adding acidity to your recipe, but you will obviously lose out on the orange flavor.
The best orange juice replacement is apple cider vinegar though white wine vinegar will do in a pinch if you are not able to get the high-quality apple cider vinegar.
Mix equal parts of the two types of vinegar with water until you have reached the desired amount and then add your liquid back to the original measurements for your recipe.
Coke
Coke is a good orange juice replacement in cake and cookie recipes that call for orange juice. It is a unique way to add an interesting flavor while creating a light and fluffy cake or cookie. My grandmother swore by using Coke and she was right! It is one of my favorite orange juice alternatives and I use it in all sorts of cakes and cookies.
Orange Juice Substitute Tips
I get asked frequently if grapefruit juice is a good alternative to orange juice.
It is not. Grapefruit is very bitter and it is heightened during the baking process making it not suitable for any baked recipes.
You can use other citrus fruit juices though. Lemonade, pineapple, and apple juice will work in many orange juice recipes so if they are all you have they will do fine. Keep in mind though that they work best in baked dishes than they will in dressings or marinades that call for orange juice.
Bottom Line
Orange juice is a great natural flavor enhancer and it is also a good part of many different recipes. Be careful though when substituting orange juice for other types of fruit juices because the flavor will not be the same once you bake or boil them.
I hope that the post has helped you learn how to substitute orange juice in your favorite recipes. Substituting can be tricky but with some trial and error, you’ll find the perfect substitute for your recipe.