Oranges don’t stay fresh forever, but our favorite kitchen sidekick—the freezer—can definitely help you stretch their shelf life by several months. Now, let’s be real: freezing does change the texture a bit, so they won’t have that same “just-picked” snap as fresh ones. However, they are still absolutely delicious for cooking, baking, and blending!
Prep Your Oranges Before Freezing
Oranges tend to spoil quickly in a warm kitchen. If you realize you won’t get through your stash within a week (and you don’t have a cool basement for storage), it’s time to freeze them. Freezing is also a great hack in the fall when prices drop, even though harvest season can vary year-round depending on the variety and region. Pro tip: Don’t just toss whole oranges in the freezer! They take forever to freeze through and even longer to thaw. Instead, prep them first as slices, segments, juice, or even syrup.
Freezing Slices and Segments
- Wash the fruit thoroughly under running water.
- Pat them dry.
- For slices: Keep the peel on and slice them up.
- For segments (supreming): Peel the orange and remove as much of the white pith as possible.
- Use a sharp knife to cut along the membranes to release the clean fruit segments.
- Spread your slices or segments in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray.
- “Flash freeze” them first so they don’t stick together in one big clump.
- Once frozen solid, transfer them into freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Don’t forget to label them with the date!
Freezing Orange Juice
Juice your fresh oranges and pour the liquid into freezer-safe containers or glass jars. Just a heads-up: don’t fill them to the brim! Liquid expands when it freezes, so leave a little headspace. For a super handy kitchen hack, freeze the juice in ice cube trays—perfect for adding a splash of citrus to drinks later.
Quick Tip:
If you’ve got organic oranges, don’t let that peel go to waste! Before juicing, zest the skin and freeze or dry it. It’s an amazing way to add a flavor punch to cakes and desserts later on.
Freezing Orange Segments in Syrup
For this method, place your prepared segments into freezer-safe containers and cover them with a simple syrup. You can make the syrup by mixing 5 parts water with 3.5 parts sugar. This helps preserve the flavor and texture even better.
How to Use Your Frozen Oranges
Oranges will stay good in the freezer for up to twelve months. Once thawed, the fruit will be a bit softer than fresh oranges, but that’s totally fine if you’re using them in yogurt, smoothies, or baked goods. For the best results, let them thaw slowly in the fridge. If you’re adding them to hot dishes or cake batter, you can usually just toss them in while they’re still frozen!