Blending and juicing are often seen as two different methods, but if you only have a blender, you can still create a drink that resembles juice. While using a cold-press juicer is always the best way to get high-quality juice, a blender can still work in a pinch. In this article, we’ll show you how to make fresh juice using just a blender and a strainer, and how to modify juice recipes for a blender.
Why Would You Use a Blender to Make Juice?
We get the question a lot: “Can I make this juice recipe using a blender?” There are a couple of reasons why someone might choose a blender over a juicer:
1. You don’t own a juicer – If you don’t have a juicer, a blender can still do the job. Any standard blender will work, although it won’t create the same juice quality as a cold-press juicer. With the right steps, though, you can turn blended produce into a juice-like beverage. Plus, it’s a great way to consume more fresh fruits and vegetables!
2. You need more fiber – If you’re looking to increase your fiber intake, blending might be better. Juicing removes insoluble fiber, but smoothies (and blended juice) preserve it, which helps with digestion and regularity. If fiber is a priority for you, blending and keeping the pulp in might be your best option. (You can read more about the differences between juice and smoothies in our article: Juice vs Smoothies – The Debate is Over).
How to Make Juice Recipes with a Blender
Here’s how to modify any juice recipe to make it in a blender:
1. Prep the produce – Before blending, remove any seeds, stems, skins, and other fibrous parts that might make the juice taste bitter or make it harder to blend. For example, core apples, peel citrus fruits, and chop everything into smaller pieces to ensure smooth blending.
2. Blend the ingredients – Add the prepared produce into your blender. If your blender is having trouble mixing it, add water to help everything blend smoothly. You might also need to adjust the proportions depending on your blender’s power.
3. Strain out the pulp – After blending, strain the mixture to remove the pulp and achieve a juice-like consistency. You can use a strainer, cheesecloth, or nut milk bag. The juice may not be as smooth and clean as cold-pressed juice, but it will still be fresh and nutritious.
How to Make Simple Apple Juice with Your Blender
Ingredients:
• 2 medium red apples (11.5 oz | 326 g)
• 1 medium green apple (5.5 oz | 156 g)
Directions:
1. Wash the apples thoroughly.
2. Core the apples, removing seeds and stems (they can make your juice taste bitter).
3. Peel the apples and cut them into cubes for easy blending.
4. Add the cubed apples into your blender. If needed, add water to help the blending process.
5. Set up a strainer over a juice container.
6. Pour the blended mixture into the strainer.
7. Squeeze the pulp to extract all the juice.
For more details about the recipe and its health benefits, visit our full recipe on the blog: Simple Apple Juice.
While a blender doesn’t produce juice as smoothly as a cold-press juicer, it’s a great alternative if that’s all you have. With a few simple steps—prepping, blending, and straining—you can enjoy fresh juice without a juicer. Plus, you’ll still get many of the health benefits of consuming fresh fruits and vegetables.
