Can you freeze oranges?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can you freeze oranges” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can freeze oranges. Moreover, we are going to discuss the proper way to freeze and thaw oranges along with the ways in which frozen oranges can be used.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Can you freeze oranges?

Yes, you can freeze oranges quite easily and quickly.

1. Wash the oranges thoroughly in a bowl of water or under running water.
2. Peel the oranges and try to remove as much pith as you can.
3. Divide oranges into portions or what you can do is to separate all the slices of the oranges.
4. Now here are two options for you, on one hand, you can just put them in the freezer bag at this point, remove the excess air from it and freeze it or the other thing that you can do is to take a knife and remove the membrane and seeds of oranges.
5. Once you are done with removing the membrane and seed, now put the slices in a plastic zipper bag and remove the excess air from it.
6. Or what you can do is to take parchment paper over a cookie sheet. Place your orange slices on it and put them in the freezer to freeze.
7. Once they freeze, transfer them into the plastic freezer bag.
8. Oranges that are kept in the freezer stay there for a long time owing to the cold temperature of the freeze that halts the bacterial and microbial growth on them. Thus, properly stored oranges last for about 6 months to a year or even more sometimes when kept in the freezer.
9. You can also freeze the cut oranges with peel, but after thawing you will feel the difference between the texture of orange as well as peel (peel would soften). So it is better to freeze oranges without a peel.

How to thaw frozen oranges?

When it comes to thawing frozen oranges there are a couple of ways that you can choose from.

1. The safest and easiest method is to leave the frozen oranges to thaw in the fridge overnight and then the next day use them as you like. The oranges thawed this way stay good in the fridge for about 1-2 days.
2. Another method that you can try to thaw your frozen oranges is to take a bowl of cold water and submerge the plastic freezer in which you have stored the oranges. Let it sit there till the oranges defrost.
3. You can also let your frozen orange thaw at room temperature if you are in a hurry and are prepping for some fruit salad. In this case, you should use the oranges immediately once they are thawed.
4. Last but not least if you are going to make a smoothie out of your frozen orange and you had already stored oranges in required portions then what you can do is to add the frozen oranges directly to the blender and make a smoothie out of it and this way you will get your hands on chilled and refreshing smoothie.

You can read the health benefits of orange here.

Other FAQs about Oranges which you may be interested in.

How long do oranges last?

How long is orange juice good for?

Can you freeze orange juice?

How to use frozen and thawed oranges?

You can use frozen and thawed oranges in a variety of ways. 

Smoothies

Smoothies are both delicious and nutritious, so you can make for yourself a glass of smoothie with the frozen oranges and enjoy this delicious, refreshing, and nutritious drink.

Cakes and baked goods

If your cake recipe calls for pureed oranges then voila! The frozen and thawed oranges will serve the same purpose as that of fresh pureed oranges. So you can easily use frozen and thawed oranges in this case.

Fruit salad

You can add the frozen and thawed oranges to your fruit salad to add that tangy touch to it.

Tips to preserve the freshness of oranges for a long time

1. Fresh raw whole oranges can be stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry but if you want to prolong their shelf life then it is recommended to store them properly in the fridge.
2. In case you have already peeled the oranges, it is better to keep them in a plastic zipper bag in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. In the case of the frozen oranges, if they are thawed in the fridge they can be refrozen within a day or two but if you have thawed the frown oranges by leaving them on the counter or in a bowl of cold water then it is recommended to use them immediately.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “can you freeze oranges” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can freeze oranges. Moreover, we discussed the proper way to freeze and thaw oranges along with the ways in which frozen oranges can be used.

Citations

Can You Freeze Oranges? (with Pictures)

https://foodsguy.com/freeze-oranges/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20can%20freeze%20oranges.&text=Oranges%20can%20be%20frozen%20peeled,6%20months%20to%201%20year.