What Is Orange juice, concentrated and How Can I Use It?

Wondering what to do with orange juice, concentrated? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it, plus 124 recipes to put it to work.

What is orange juice, concentrated?

Frozen orange juice concentrate is orange juice with most of the water boiled off, then frozen in a tub. Reconstituted with three cans of water it becomes ordinary juice, but for cooking the real value is using it as is.

Straight from the can it is intensely sweet-tart, almost like a soft citrus paste. That punch is hard to get any other way.

Cooking With Concentrate

Think of it as concentrated orange flavor and sugar in one scoop. A spoonful of the thawed concentrate, undiluted, delivers more orange than a quarter cup of juice without watering down a batter or a glaze.

In baking it flavors cakes and quick breads, as in Gluten Free Orange Rice Muffins, and it is the orange backbone of Ben & Jerry's Orange Cream Dream Ice Cream, where its sweetness and low water content suit a custard base.

It also melts into savory glazes and marinades. Amazing Southern Living Sweet Potato Casserole and Ann's Ruby Chicken both lean on the concentrate for a deep, sticky orange note. A little whisked into Cinnamon Orange Butter gives a spread real citrus body.

Because it is mostly sugar and acid, it freezes beautifully into a quick sorbet or granita: thin it with a little water and sweeten to taste, then freeze and scrape it with a fork.

Pairing and a Common Slip

Concentrate gets along with the same partners as fresh juice, only louder. It backs up vanilla and cream, stands up to soy and ginger in a glaze, and cuts the richness of pork and poultry.

The slip is treating a recipe's concentrate like ready-to-drink juice, or the reverse. They are not a one-for-one swap.

If a recipe calls for thawed concentrate and you only have juice, you will add too much liquid and a weak flavor. Reduce the juice first, or accept a thinner result.

Substitutes

The cleanest stand-in is fresh juice reduced on the stove until it is thick and syrupy, which roughly mimics the concentrated punch. It takes time but the flavor is brighter.

You can also use a couple of teaspoons of orange zest plus a splash of juice to hit a similar intensity in baking, since the zest carries the aromatic oils. Frozen tangerine or lemonade concentrate works in a pinch, though each shifts the flavor.

When you only need diluted juice, simply reconstitute the concentrate with water at the label ratio.

Buying and Storing Concentrate

It lives in the supermarket freezer in small cardboard tubs, usually 12 ounces. Buy the 100 percent juice kind rather than an orange drink concentrate, which is sweetened and weaker.

Kept frozen, an unopened tub holds for months, well past a season. Once you scoop out what you need, press plastic wrap onto the surface and reseal before it goes back in the freezer, where it stays usable for several weeks.

Thaw only what a recipe calls for, and measure it cold and slushy for the most accurate amount. There is no need to bring the whole tub to room temperature.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find orange juice, concentrated: Orange juice, concentrated is usually found in the frozen foods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Orange juice, concentrated is a member of the Fruits and Fruit Juices US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

橙汁，浓缩

British (UK) term

Orange juice, concentrated

en français

jus d'orange, concentré

en español

jugo de naranja, concentrado

How much does orange juice, concentrated weigh?

Related

Fruits and Fruit Juices

Recipes using orange juice, concentrated

There are 124 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Granola Bars Bw

Homemade granola bars sweetened with molasses and orange juice concentrate, packed with oats, raisins, apricots, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and sesame. Dense, cakey, and naturally fruit-sweetened.

Berry Orange Banana Muffins

Berry orange banana muffins made with whole wheat flour and natural bran. Mashed banana and frozen orange juice concentrate sweeten these high-fiber breakfast muffins, dotted with juicy blueberries or raspberries.

Loaded Vegetable & Quinoa Salad with Miso Orange Dressing

A wide variety of fresh vegetables and quinoa are tossed with a salty and sweet miso orange dressing. Serve it as a refreshingly nutritious side dish or a vegetarian/vegan main course.

Shredded Carrots a L'Orange

Shredded carrots simmered with orange juice concentrate, raisins, and a pinch of cinnamon. A light, naturally sweet side dish ready in 20 minutes.

Orange Sorbet

Orange sorbet blends fresh orange juice with peel-infused simple syrup and Grand Marnier for a bright, citrusy frozen dessert. Pipe into hollowed orange shells for an elegant presentation.

Carrot Muffins with Walnut-Cream Centers

Carrot muffins with hidden cream cheese and walnut centers, sweetened with raisins and brightened with orange juice. A lighter breakfast bake with cheesecake-like surprise.

Best Orange Banana Quickbread

Orange banana quickbread sweetened entirely with bananas and orange juice concentrate, no added sugar. Spiced with pumpkin pie spice for a fragrant, naturally sweet snack loaf.

Barbecued Chicken

Grilled chicken rubbed with a bold homemade spice blend of paprika, chili powder, and garlic, brushed with a sweet ketchup-brown sugar BBQ sauce with a hint of orange. Crispy skin, juicy meat, zero fuss.

Coriander Spiced Scallops with Orange Ginger Dressing & Greens

Orange and ginger dressing is so refreshing, coriander spiced scallops go very well with it. Also it is so quick and easy to make.

Gluten Free Orange Rice Muffins

5-ingredient gluten-free banana orange muffins made with rice flour and orange juice concentrate. No added sugar, no eggs, no dairy. Great for kids' lunchboxes and allergen-friendly diets.

Ben & Jerry's Orange Cream Dream Ice Cream

Ben and Jerry's Orange Cream Dream Ice Cream recipe

Salad Dressing Cranberry Muffins

Salad dressing cranberry muffins use Miracle Whip in place of butter or oil for a strikingly tender crumb. Tart cranberries, bright orange zest, and orange juice concentrate make these holiday-ready.

Amazing Southern Living Sweet Potato Casserole

This delicious sweet potato casserole impresses everyone. It's creamy but not too rich, it's sweet but not too heavy. The candied pecan topping adds the extra crunchiness and nuttiness, a great side dish to share on your Thanksgiving table.

Fruit Juice Slush

Frozen fruit juice slush with green tea, orange juice, lemonade, and rum or vodka. A make-ahead boozy slush punch for parties and summer gatherings.

Turkey Breast- Orange Blackberry Relish

Roasted turkey breast basted with orange juice concentrate, served with a homemade orange-blackberry relish thickened with brown sugar and cornstarch. A stunning, fruity holiday centerpiece that feeds 15.

Blueberry-Orange Pie & Orange Crust

A showpiece blueberry pie with 7 cups of fresh berries in a glossy orange glaze, nestled in a homemade orange-zest crust. Served chilled and can be made a day ahead.

Champagne Cocktail

A fizzy, citrus-bright champagne punch made with orange juice and limeade concentrates, two bottles of bubbly, and sparkling water over crushed ice. Serves 36 and comes together in 10 minutes flat.

Kay's Fruit Cake

No-egg fruit cake loaded with candied cherries, pineapple, dates, toasted coconut, and nuts, bound with sweetened condensed milk and glazed with orange juice and honey.

Chicken with Orange Sauce- New Ama Cookbook

Heart-healthy braised chicken in a tangy orange sauce with brown sugar, ginger, sherry, and soy. A skinless braised chicken dish from the AMA cookbook that's lower-fat without sacrificing flavor.

Fruit Slush Mix

Frozen fruit slush mix made with orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Freeze into cubes, then top with ginger ale for an instant fruity slush drink.

Cute Halloween Boo Scotti

Adorable Halloween ghost biscotti dipped in white chocolate with candy decorations. Crunchy orange-almond cookies perfect for trick-or-treaters and fall parties.

Freddi's Fruit Cocktail Mix

Homemade frozen fruit cocktail mix with watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, grapes, and blueberries in an orange-lemonade syrup. Freeze in pint containers for up to 8 months of fresh fruit cups.

Mock Orange Julius (with Coconut Milk)

Mock Orange Julius blended with coconut milk for tropical creaminess. Frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, and a touch of sugar whip into a frothy citrus shake in 5 minutes flat.

Fruit Sorbet

Orange sorbet uses frozen juice concentrate, simple syrup, and fresh orange zest for an intensely citrusy frozen dessert. Vegan, fat-free, and ready for the ice cream maker in 10 minutes.

Baked Cranberry Squash

Baked cranberry squash stuffed with pears, cranberries, orange juice concentrate, honey, and warm spices. A stunning vegetarian main or holiday side dish with no added fat.

Banana Push-Ups

Frozen banana push-ups with bananas, plain yogurt, orange juice concentrate, and nonfat milk powder, blended and frozen in paper cups. A healthy DIY popsicle for kids.

Oatmeal Double-Treat Walnut Cookies

Oatmeal walnut cookies pack whole wheat flour, wheat germ, oats, raisins, and walnuts into a chewy cookie sweetened with brown sugar and orange juice concentrate. Hearty and wholesome.

Frosty Ricotta Cheese Pie

Frozen ricotta cheese pie with orange juice concentrate, vanilla ice cream, and whipped topping on a raspberry jam-lined graham cracker crust. No-bake summer dessert.

Grilled Orange Chicken

Grilled orange chicken marinated overnight in frozen orange juice concentrate, soy sauce, and tarragon. A citrusy, caramelized barbecue chicken with just 6 ingredients.

Banana-Raisin French Toast

Banana-stuffed French toast made with cinnamon-raisin bread, egg whites, and skim milk. A lighter brunch dish with mashed banana filling and a maple yogurt topping.

Citrus-Shrimp Salad

Citrus shrimp salad: shrimp poached in orange-sherry-rosemary broth, chilled, and tossed with grapefruit, oranges, lettuce, and toasted sesame seeds. Bright, low-fat main-dish salad.

Kiwifruit & Strawberries

Fresh kiwi and strawberry dessert plate drizzled with concentrated orange juice and topped with pine nuts. A 5-minute no-cook fruit dish with zero added sugar.

Honey Orange Biscotti

Honey orange biscotti with pecans, orange juice concentrate, and orange zest, twice-baked until crunchy. A low-fat Italian cookie perfect for dipping in coffee or tea.

Hearty Oatmeal Loaf

Whole wheat oatmeal bread machine loaf sweetened with honey, apple juice, and orange juice concentrate. A hearty, no-knead bread with added vital wheat gluten for rise.

Frosty Orange Pie

Frozen orange pie with vanilla ice cream layered over a toasted oat and coconut crumb crust, drizzled with orange juice concentrate and topped with toasted coconut.

Pumpkin Cookies- October

Pumpkin-shaped peanut butter cookies decorated with orange juice frosting for Halloween. Easy cut-out cookies kids love decorating with candy corn faces.

Vegetable-Orange Juice Cocktail

Vegetable-orange juice cocktail blending V8-style vegetable juice with frozen orange juice concentrate, basil, and hot sauce. A savory-sweet chilled drink with a spicy kick.

Orange Spice Muffins

Orange spice muffins with whole wheat flour, sour cream, fresh orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Topped with cinnamon sugar for a warmly spiced holiday breakfast.

Poppy Seed Sauce

Light poppy seed sauce made with low-fat yogurt, citrus zest, and raspberry vinegar. A no-cook, diabetic-friendly dressing for fresh fruit salads and vegetable platters.

Orange Smoothee

Creamy orange smoothie made with frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, vanilla, and ice. Tastes like a melted creamsicle and blends up in minutes.

Orange Snowdrops

Soft orange drop cookies made with frozen orange juice concentrate and powdered sugar, topped with a bright orange frosting. A retro citrus cookie with a tender bite and clean orange flavor.

Easy Orangy Fruit Dip

Orange fruit dip whipped from cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange juice concentrate, lightened fluffy with whipped topping. A sweet, citrusy five-minute dip for apples, berries, and melon.

Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

Retro orange jello gets a creamy upgrade with whipped cream and sweet mandarin oranges in this nostalgic potluck favorite from Gram's kitchen. Ready in minutes with just 6 ingredients.

Sunny Cooler

Sunny Cooler is a 3-ingredient orange yogurt smoothie blended with orange juice concentrate, plain yogurt, and sugar. Frothy, creamy, and ready in 2 minutes.

Coconut Shrimp Surprise

Shrimp simmered in a coconut milk sauce with tomatoes, leeks, orange juice concentrate, mint, and Thai chili paste, served over basmati rice. A one-skillet dinner with sweet, spicy, and creamy notes in every spoonful.

Overnight Apple-Orange Coffee Cake

Overnight apple-orange coffee cake: a yeast-raised cake topped with juicy apples, raisins, and orange zest, then drizzled with orange glaze. Mix the night before, bake fresh in the morning.

Creamy Orange Cheesecake

Orange-kissed cheesecake on a chocolate graham cracker crust, made lighter with nonfat cottage cheese and reduced-fat cream cheese. Bright citrus meets dark cocoa in every forkful.

Frozen Apple Sauce & Fruit Cup

Frozen fruit cups made with applesauce, strawberries, mandarin oranges, grapes, and orange juice concentrate. Healthy no-sugar-added frozen snack for kids and lunchboxes.

French Pear Pie

French pear pie with sliced Bartlett pears, orange juice concentrate, and a cinnamon-ginger crumb topping. A rustic, crumble-topped fall dessert with warm spice.

Maple-Glazed Ribs

Maple-glazed ribs braise low in foil, then finish in a sticky maple-soy-orange glaze with a hit of curry powder and Dijon. Toasted sesame seeds top each saucy rack.

All 124 recipes