We all know that Florida Orange Juice makes a delicious and nutritious drink, but did you know that it’s actually a super versatile ingredient for cooking, too?
Here are 8 ways to incorporate 100% orange juice into your meals – enjoy, and let me know your favorites in the comments!
Thank you to the Florida Department of Citrus for sponsoring this post in honor of National Nutrition Month.
1) Use Florida OJ to make a tangy and delicious homemade vinaigrette.
I’ve written before about my love of 100% orange juice in salad dressing – have you tried it yet?
Here’s a recipe to try (it makes a lot so save some for later!):
- 1 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
The Florida OJ adds vitamin C, folate, and potassium to the mix, in addition to being tangy and flavorful. 🙂
A bonus is that the vitamin C in the Florida OJ will help your body better absorb iron from the dark leafy greens and protein on your salad!
2) Use Florida OJ to make grains more flavorful.
Have you ever tried cooking a grain, like rice or quinoa, in a mixture of Florida Orange Juice and broth?
If not, do it.
Simply replace the water you’d normally cook the grain in with equal parts Florida Orange Juice and low sodium vegetable broth – that’s it!
Florida OJ-infused grains are especially delicious atop salad.
If you want to try this, check out my Quinoa Salad with Orange Juice Vinaigrette post for a specific recipe to try.
3) Use Florida OJ to make an easy homemade sports drink.
Florida OJ is awesome in sports drinks because it provides fluid as well as simple carbohydrates that are easy to digest, making it a great option for rehydration during or after exercise!
It also provides a serving of fruit (rather than a serving of food dye), and as much potassium as a banana. 🙂
To make two servings of this quick and easy homemade sport drink, simply mix together 1 cup of Florida Orange Juice, 2 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup, and a hefty pinch of salt!
4) Use Florida OJ in smoothies.
While we’re already on the liquid train, let’s continue on with smoothies!
Florida Orange Juice makes a delicious addition to smoothies.
Here’s one of my favorite combos – it tastes kind of like a creamsicle:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ice cubes
5) Freeze Florida OJ in an ice cube tray.
Toss your Florida OJ ice cubes in seltzer or iced tea to add some flavor (and to keep it cold at the same time)!
You can also blend the Florida OJ cubes into smoothies, like the one previously mentioned, for some added flavor and nutrition!
6) Use Florida OJ to make a yummy marinade (or stir fry sauce) for meat or tofu.
One of my favorites to make with 100% orange juice is a teriyaki sauce. Here’s the recipe:
- 1 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced/grated)
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
In addition to being a great marinade, it also makes an especially delicious stir fry sauce!
7) Use Florida OJ to tenderize meat
Speaking of marinades – the reason 100% orange juice is so great in marinades is because the acid in it tenderizes meat!
Florida OJ works especially well for chicken and pork. You can literally just use the Florida OJ, or try adding some vinegar.
My Orange Lemon Chicken is a great recipe to try here!
8) Use Florida OJ to make amaaazing BBQ sauce
See also: my Orange Juice BBQ Chicken Sandwiches.
Enough said.
You’re welcome.
What are your favorite ways to use Florida Orange Juice besides straight up drinking it?
I recently read a tip somewhere to try using 100% orange juice in place of water in box mix muffins or cake to add a nice citrus flavor. Love that idea and definitely going to try it next time I make these muffins (which will be soon because we make those all the time – Riese loves them).
For more Florida OJ recipe ideas and nutrition tips, check out the Florida Department of Citrus’s website, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
