How to Freeze Oranges: The Best Methods for Whole Fruit, Segments, Juice, and Zest

Oranges often arrive by the dozen in winter—gift boxes, market sales, and peak-season deals all add up. If your counter is overflowing and the refrigerator is full, freezing can help you stretch that bounty into spring. Freezing oranges is not a compromise. Jennifer Hillis, registered dietitian and citrus nutrition research liaison at the University of South Florida, notes that citrus of all kinds freezes beautifully. “Freezing will not affect the flavor—it will preserve it!” she says. Every part of the orange can be frozen. She explains how to freeze orange segments, slices, supremes, orange juice, zest, and even the whole fruit.

Freezing Whole Oranges

Whole oranges can go straight into the freezer with virtually no prep. It's perhaps not the most efficient way to freeze oranges, but if you’re in a rush, you can simply rinse the citrus skin, pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel, and freeze it whole, says Hillis. It's a great way to preserve citrus that you won't have time to eat before it spoils. The peel becomes a perk—you can zest it later—but be prepared for a mushier interior once thawed. The defrosting time will also be longer than for cut fruit.

Freezing Orange Segments, Slices, and Supremes

For most home cooks, freezing oranges in pieces is the sweet spot. Peel the fruit and freeze it in segments, slices, or supremed sections. To avoid everything freezing into a giant citrus block, flash-freeze first. Hillis says she uses this approach so she can remove small amounts at a time: “Taking the time to flash-freeze your citrus segments (or slices) will also prevent them from clumping together in the sealed bag.”

As for the format—skin on, peeled, supremed, or packed in juice—Hillis says it comes down to how you want to use the fruit later and how much time you have now.

Don't Miss

27 Orange Recipes That Are Bursting With Citrus Flavor

Yes, You Can Freeze Lemons—Here’s the Smart Way to Do It

Freezing Orange Juice

Orange juice might be the easiest orange product to freeze. You can put fresh-squeezed or bottled 100-percent orange juice in freezer bags or ice cube trays. Hillis recommends leaving expansion room: “If putting the juice into a freezer-safe bag, make sure to leave room—I fill it about two-thirds full.”

Why would you freeze orange juice? There are myriad ways to use OJ beyond enjoying a glass. It's a wonderful ingredient in cakes, sauces, cocktails, and so much more.

Freezing Orange Zest

Yes, zest freezes well and without any change in flavor. You don’t have to worry about zest getting too strong or dull in the freezer, since the cold just preserves the flavor, Hillis says. To freeze orange zest: Spread it out on a sheet pan, freeze briefly, then transfer to a small airtight container. Hillis says that not only does orange zest add flavor to cakes, cookies, and other dishes, but the peel itself also offers additional nutrients, including vitamin C and hesperidin, known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular-protective properties.

Best Varieties to Freeze

Hillis’s take is simple: “Any variety of citrus can be frozen.” That includes juicy Florida navels, tangerines, juice oranges, and specialty varieties such as blood oranges and Cara Cara.

Using Thawed Oranges

Once thawed, use oranges within a few days. Their texture softens after thawing, making them great for cooking and baking, but less ideal for eating out of hand.

Hillis likes them in smoothies, baking, and even for dressing, sauces, and marinades. Frozen orange pieces, zest, and juice are especially useful for recipes that call for multiple citrus components—like tarts or marinades—without requiring a fresh fruit run.