How to Make Juice Without a Juicer
The blend-and-strain method, plus six combinations: orange, apple carrot ginger, green apple cucumber, watermelon, pineapple mint and beet.
A blender and a fine-mesh sieve do the same job as a juicer. You blend the produce with a little liquid, then strain out the pulp.
The method
- Wash the produce under running water and cut it into chunks. Peel citrus and anything with a tough skin.
- Blend with 1/2 to 1 cup of cold water or pasteurized juice until completely smooth, 60 to 90 seconds.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, a nut-milk bag or a thin, clean kitchen towel. Press or squeeze the pulp to get every drop.
- Chill and drink the same day.
Citrus does not need a blender: a hand reamer or a firm squeeze does the job.
Juice safety
Freshly squeezed and blended juices are not pasteurized. The FDA advises children, pregnant people, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system to drink pasteurized juice instead. Wash produce under running water before cutting, keep fresh juice cold and drink it within a day.
Each combination below makes about 2 cups.
Fresh orange juice
- 4 to 5 large oranges
Roll the oranges on the counter, halve them and squeeze with a reamer or by hand. Strain if you prefer no pulp.
Good with: Breakfast
Apple, carrot and ginger
- 2 apples, cored and chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger
- 3/4 cup cold water
Blend until very smooth, then strain and press.
Good with: A bright afternoon pick-me-up
Green apple and cucumber
- 1 green apple, cored
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3/4 cup cold water
Blend the water and spinach first, then the rest. Strain.
Good with: A light, fresh drink
Watermelon
- 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Blend without extra water; watermelon is mostly juice. Straining is optional.
Good with: A hot dayFull recipe
Pineapple and mint
- 3 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 6 mint leaves
- 1/2 cup cold water
Blend and strain through a sieve.
Good with: A tropical brunch
Beet, apple and lemon
- 1 small raw beet, peeled and chopped
- 2 apples, cored
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup cold water
Blend for a full 90 seconds, then strain. Beets stain, so rinse your blender soon after.
Good with: A bold, earthy juice
