Perhaps you have thought about getting a juicer, but gave up on the idea when you saw the implications of shopping around for one.
Or maybe your juicer broke down and you really need your fix ASAP! Well, there’s good news…
Juicing without a juicer is possible and you do not have to own a juicer to make juice!
The methods below will teach you the skill of making juice using the supplies already in your kitchen.
But if you can’t handle these ideas, check out our juicer reviews for the latest models to consider.
New to Juicing? Check out our juicing for beginners guide and the difference between juicing and blending.
1. Blend & Strain
Your blender will mix together both the pulp and juice, unlike a juicer, which will squeeze out the juice and discard the pulp through a separate compartment.
You can either drink the pulpy juice or strain it through a strainer for a smoother textured drink.
You Will Need
- Blender (or immersion blender)
- Fine mesh strainer
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Water (suitable to add to your juice for consistency)
- Spatula
- Bowl (preferably one that your mesh strainer sits comfortably at the top of)
Directions
STEP 1 – Preparation
Start by preparing the produce for juicing. Wash your ingredients well to get rid of dust and dirt, then cut them into chunks small enough for your blender to handle.
Depending on the fruits and vegetables you are using, you might need to peel them, remove the pith, or even core them; there is no need to dig to extract the seeds unless you are using stone fruit like peaches, apricots, or plums.
Vegetables like carrots and beets will only need a good scrub to get rid of the outer layer of grime.
STEP 2 – Blend
Once you are done prepping the produce, place the ingredients in your blender. If using an immersion blender, you will need another high-walled bowl to place the ingredients in for blending.
To ensure that they will be evenly blended, place high-yield ingredients such as cucumbers, celery, melon and fennel at the bottom, then add the greens and sturdier items.
SEE ALSO: How To Store Celery
Adding a splash of water will help blend the ingredients.
Start blending the ingredients until smooth. Make sure to occasionally stir the ingredients while the blender is off to get things moving again. You will need to add water to get to your desired consistency.
STEP 3 – Strain
Set the fine mesh strainer over the bowl and pour the blended mixture into it. Use your spatula to press the mixture and extract the juice.
Let it sit for a couple of minutes to encourage more juice to drip. If you are the type who loves pulpy juice, you can go back to pressing the mixture with the spatula one more time.
Pour the juice into a glass or container. If you plan to sip your juice slowly, don’t start yet – there’s one more thing you should do.
STEP 4 – Cleaning
Before you enjoy this nutrient-packed bliss, make sure you carefully clean your blender and mesh strainer to prevent pulp from becoming sticky and impossible to remove.
Rinse and clean your blender with water
Use a spoon to scrape out the pulp from the mesh strainer, then run water over it in the opposite direction that you poured the juice in. You may need to use a soft-bristle brush to clean it.
2. Grate & Strain With Cheesecloth
Another technique of extracting juice from produce without a juicing machine is the cheesecloth trick.
Although this method involves more effort on your part, you can easily make a couple of glasses of juice – and never have to deal with the pulp again.
You Will Need
- Grater
- Cheesecloth
- Bowl
Directions
STEP 1 – Preparation
You will need to carefully wash the ingredients and remove stems, peels, pits and seeds.
Fruits like apples, pears and kiwis should be also peeled and rinsed with a splash of water to help remove any remnants of the peel or upper layer of the produce.
STEP 2 – Grate Your Produce
Start grating the ingredients into a bowl.
Grating will not be necessary for citrus fruits. You can simply remove the peel and the seeds and use only the pulp.
This cheesecloth juicing method works best with solid fruits and vegetables. Some great examples are apples, carrots, pears, beets, cucumbers, ginger, and tomatoes. You will not be able to use it with leafy greens, and may find it too challenging with fibrous fruits like pineapple.
STEP 3 – Squeeze The Pulp
Take the grated produce and place it inside your piece of cheesecloth. Squeeze the pulp and strain the juice in the same bowl that you grated in to.
Make sure to squeeze tightly to yield the maximum amount of juice in the pulp. You may find twisting the cheesecloth works wonders!
Work carefully with tomatoes, as squeezing too tightly will result in chunks of pulp getting strained along with the juice.
3. Pitcher Mashing
This juice extraction method will work especially with citrus fruits, although you may use it for some other ingredients like tomatoes, apples, kiwis, and avocado.
Keep in mind that the amount of juice yielded will be smaller with this method than the others. But if you’re in a pinch, it’s definitely a way to get your fix.
You Will Need
- Pitcher
- Bowl (if you have a narrow-mouthed pitcher)
- Mashing utensil such as a potato masher
Directions
STEP 1 – Prepare Produce
Wash the ingredients very carefully. There is no need to peel or chop citrus fruits, but you will want to chop other items like apples. Don’t worry about seeds, the mashing process shouldn’t break them open.
STEP 2 – Mash
Place your produce in the pitcher and press aggressively with your mashing tool.
To remove the juice, carefully pour it off in to another pitcher or bowl. Keep pressing until no more juice is produced.
STEP 3 – Clean Up
Wash the pitcher with cold water and dish-washing liquid to remove pulp remnants.
Final Thoughts
These three methods of juicing without a juicer are great for a quick fix.
However, for the long term, these methods will get old fast.
Using a proper juicer can make a world of difference in time, cleanup, and frustration. And to be honest, juicers can produce a much more consistent juice.
