How to Make & Use Freeze-Dried Orange Juice

Learning to make and use freeze-dried orange juice has been a game-changer. Living in the citrus corridor of Arizona means we have an abundance of citrus. By the end of the citrus season, my freezer is bursting with frozen orange, lemon, and grapefruit juice for us to use once the season ends. Unfortunately, there is never enough freezer space for all the juice we need.

I’ve been experimenting with freeze-drying and wondered if we could freeze-dry orange juice. (Spoiler alert: You can successfully freeze dry lemon, grapefruit, and orange juice!)

Why freeze dry orange juice?

Freeze drying citrus juice is my new favorite way to preserve citrus. Dehydrated lemons and oranges are okay, but dehydrating does not capture the freshly-squeezed taste of citrus. I also freeze dried lemon and orange slices. They freeze dried well, but I wasn’t sure how to use the finished product. 

Freeze drying the juice of lemons, grapefruit, and oranges provides the advantages of fresh juice and the convenience of a shelf-stable dry ingredient.

When our stash of frozen orange juice runs out (and it always does), we miss that fresh-squeezed taste when we drink orange juice from the store. 

Additionally, I am an organic gardener and know exactly what has been used (and not used) to care for my citrus trees. I can’t say the same thing for orange juice (even organic juice) from the store.

5 Steps for Making Freeze-Dried Orange Juice

As you begin these steps, I assume you know how to use your freeze dryer. I have a Harvest Right medium freeze dryer. It couldn’t be easier to use – you push a button to start. If you aren’t sure how to use your freeze dryer, this article shares freeze drying tips for beginners. The freeze drying process is the same for other types of citrus juice, including lemon and grapefruit.

1. Allow the juice to separate, and pour off excess liquid

Most fresh-squeezed orange juice will separate (the heavier pulp goes to the bottom and the clear liquid part of the juice is on the top) and needs to be mixed before drinking. Instead of mixing it up, allow the juice to separate. If you pour off (save it and drink it) the clear liquid part of the orange juice, it cuts your freeze drying time in half. The resulting freeze-dried powder has a stronger flavor.

2. Don’t overfill the trays

I filled the trays to the rim in my first batch, and then had to clean up a mess inside of the freeze dryer. The juice expands as it freezes and the moisture is extracted. 

Fill the trays no more than ¾ full to allow room for this expansion.

3. Check that the juice is completely dry before ending the process

When the freeze-drying cycle is complete, check all of the trays before hitting ‘done’. Make sure all of the juice is completely dry. It should not feel sticky. If some trays are still sticky, add additional time.

Plan on the juice (with liquid poured off) taking 24-30 hours to process. The juice (without liquid poured off) can take 48 hours or more to completely dry.

4. Process the freeze-dried orange juice into a powder

• Use a spatula to remove the freeze-dried juice from the pans. 
• Break up the pieces of freeze-dried juice a bit with a potato masher. 
• Put the smaller pieces in your blender to blend into powder form.

• You can also put the broken-up pieces of freeze-dried juice directly in a jar and use a tamper to make into powder.

5. Store the freeze-dried orange juice powder in jars or mylar bags

I’m planning on using my freeze-dried juice within a year, so I stored mine in canning jars with leak proof lids. For longer storage, use mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Using a funnel and scoop made this process easier. 

How to use freeze-dried orange juice

To reconstitute freeze-dried orange juice as juice, use 1 part powder to 4 parts water: 

1 cup juice = 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) powder and 1 cup water.

1/2 gallon juice = 2 cups powder and 8 cups water.

1 gallon juice = 4 cups powder and 16 cups water.

Add more or less powder to taste as desired. 

• Stir the dried orange juice powder into the water. It will dissolve quickly.
• For larger amounts, use a whisk or plunger-style pitcher.
• As with fresh juice, after a while the juice will separate. Stir before using. 

Other ideas for freeze-dried orange juice powder include: smoothies, marinades, homemade ice cream, desserts, orange rolls, and any recipe calling for orange juice or flavor. 

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