The extract is typically used as a flavoring for drinks, cakes, and other desserts. It can also be used in savory dishes like rice, chicken, salads, and meat dishes. It is typically made using orange zest, water, oil, and at least 30% alcohol.
Orange Extract is readily available in grocery stores and baking shops. However, if it is unavailable in stores near you, you can also make your own in the very comfort of your home.
However, if you’re the impatient type and cannot wait for your orange peel-vodka mix to age for six weeks, you can also substitute orange extract with some of the following:
- Orange Zest
- Orange Juice
- Orange Oil
- Orange Liqueur
- Orange Marmalade
- Orange Concentrate
- Meyer Lemon
- Mandarin Orange
- Clementine
Read on if you are keen to learn about the full substitutes available or just making your own orange extract.
How To Make Your Own Orange Zest
Orange extract is highly concentrated flavor extracted from fresh oranges added with alcohol for preservation.
The DIY recipe only needs two ingredients, namely orange peels and vodka.
- Place orange peels in a glass container
- Add the vodka and cover it with an airtight lid
- Shake well
- Store the orange peel-vodka mix for about six weeks before using. Shake the mixture weekly.
15 Best Substitute For Orange Extract
Orange Juice
Orange Juice is also a great substitute for orange extract. It might not pack as much flavor as orange extract or orange zest, but it is very nutritious and does the job.
When using orange juice as a substitute for orange extract, use fresh and natural orange juice for better taste. As the flavor of orange juice is subtler than that of orange extract, use at least twice the measurement of what the recipe calls for when using orange juice.
Orange Zest
Orange Zest is one of the best and simplest substitute for orange extract. It is also packed with the citrusy flavor. To have orange zest, grate the outside portion of the orange peel. Be careful not to include any of the inner portions of the orange peel.
Orange peels are rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, B6, C, folate, calcium, and limonene, a compound that helps protect against skin cancer. Because of its high vitamin C content, it helps boost the immune system. It also prevents age spots and wrinkles, gives relief from severe allergies, and aids weight loss.
If the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of orange extract, use 1 teaspoon of orange zest as substitute.
Orange Oil
Orange Oil is another derivative of orange. Orange oil is derived from the orange rind using the method called cold pressing.
Orange Oil is typically placed in a diffuser and used to cleanse and refresh the air. According to healthline.com, some studies show that it has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Furthermore, it can also be used to treat certain skin problems like acne. It is also used to reduce inflammation, relieve stomach pain, and clean surfaces. Remember to get food grade orange oil if you decide to use it as a substitute for your baking recipe.
Orange Liqueur
Next on the list of best substitute for orange extract is orange liqueur. Orange liqueur is a distilled spirit sweetened and flavored using oranges.
The base of orange liqueur is either brandy, vodka, rum or another liquor. When used as a substitute for orange extract, orange liqueur is best used to flavor desserts like cakes, jellies, and jams.
Orange Marmalade
Orange Marmalade, also known as orange jam, is a type of fruit preserve made from the flesh, juice, and rind of oranges. As with other fruit preserves, orange marmalade is made by boiling the fruits with sugar and water.
Orange Marmalade works well as filling in desserts like bread, cake, and pies. A word of caution though as orange marmalade tends to have high amounts of sugar.
Orange Concentrate
Orange Concentrate is an extract of the orange fruit. It is produced by removing all the excess water from orange juice, leaving a concentrated version of the initial juice.
Because of the concentrating process, orange concentrates are very flavorful and decadent. To substitute for orange extract, add a small amount first, and adjust to achieve the desired flavor.
Meyer Lemon
Meyer Lemon is a hybrid of lemon and mandarin orange. It is native to China.
Meyer lemons are rounder and smaller than the usual lemons. They also have smoother and yellower, and more orange-colored rinds. Aside from its appearance, Meyer Lemon also differs from the regular lemons in terms of taste.
It has a sweet flavor as compared to the traditional lemon. As it is sweeter, it is therefore a great substitute for orange extract in baking and cooking.
Meyer Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system. It is also rich in antioxidants that protect against heart diseases and cancer.
Mandarin Orange
Another entry on the list of best substitutes for orange extract is the mandarin orange. The mandarin orange is a small citrus tree that originated from Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines. Now, it is mostly grown in India, Japan, southern China, and Southeast Asia.
Compared to the typical oranges, mandarin orange is smaller and has a red-orange skin. Aside from that, it is a lot easier to peel compared to the typical oranges because of its thin skin. The flesh of the fruit is also sweeter.
According to medicalnewstoday.com, mandarin oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C. As such, mandarin oranges are good for the immune system.
Furthermore, mandarin oranges are also rich in antioxidants. Studies show that mandarin oranges are anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. Traditionally, mandarin oranges are used in several Asian countries as treatment for coughs, indigestion, muscle pain, high blood pressure, and ringworm.
Because of its sweet taste, it is typically used in desserts. It is also often added in salads.
Clementine
Clementines, like mandarin oranges, are smaller than the usual orange. They are also sweeter and have thinner skin. Clementines are in fact not oranges, but more closely related to mandarin oranges. Clementines were developed in 1902 by Father Clement Rodier, a French missionary assigned in Algeria.
Compared to mandarin oranges, clementines have a rounder shape. Furthermore, the skin of clementines are waxy. Clementines are less acidic than oranges.
Like mandarin oranges and traditional oranges, clementines have high vitamin C content. They are also rich in antioxidants. Research shows that they also help reduce inflammation, aid digestion, prevent macular degeneration, and boost the immune system.
Bergamot Orange
Bergamot Orange is a citrus fruit native to Italy. It is also grown in Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Morocco, Turkey, and parts of Southeast Asia. It is almost the size of an orange, but with the shape of a pear. It is usually yellow or green in color.
Bergamot Orange is an excellent substitute for orange extract because of its striking taste. It is typically used in teas, fragrance, soaps, and cosmetics.
Bergamot Orange helps reduce cholesterol and ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. Studies also show it also helps increase ‘good’ LDL cholesterol. Aside from this, bergamot orange is also used to ease anxiety and increase mental alertness. It also soothes joint and muscle pains.
Calamansi
Another entry in the best orange extract substitute list is the calamansi. The calamansi, also known as Philippine lime and calamondin, is a citrus fruit that is a mix of lime and lemon.
It is native to Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines. It is also grown in other countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and Taiwan. It is typically used in desserts, beverages, meat dishes, and even preserves.
Calamansi has a lot of benefits. As it is rich in vitamin C like most citrus fruits, it boosts the immune system.
It also aids in weight loss, detoxifies the body, stimulates cell growth and repair, manages diabetes, bleaches the skin, and lowers cholesterol. Traditionally, calamansi is used to cure cough and other respiratory infections.
Tangerines
Tangerines are a type of mandarin that originated from Tangiers, Morocco, dating back as early as 1800s. Tangerines are the second-largest cultivated citrus. As compared to oranges, tangerines are smaller and easier to peel.
Tangerines are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B, and potassium. Tangerines are also high antioxidants. Studies have shown that the antioxidants in tangerines protect against chronic brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Aside from that, as tangerines are mostly made up of water. Thus, they are also perfect for those trying to lose weight.
Kaffir Lime
Kaffir Lime is a citrus native to Southeast Asia and southern China. Kaffir lime is a very important fruit in the Southeast Asian region. Its flesh, rind, and leaves are all useful.
Both the fruit and leaves can be used in cooking. Because of its intense smell and flavors, kaffir lime is commonly used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agronomic, and sanitary applications.
Its strong taste and flavor can be attributed to its high content of alkaloids and antioxidants like citronellol and limonene. Oil can be extracted from the rinds and leaves. This oil is used in fragrances, soaps, shampoos, salves, and other cosmetic products.
Kaffir Lime has many benefits. Studies show that it improves oral health, detoxifies the blood, improves digestion, reduces inflammation and stress, and reduces appearance of pimples, scars, and age marks.
Persian Lime
Persian lime, also known as Bears lime, seedless lime, and Tahiti lime, is a hybrid of lemon and key lime. Persian limes have thick, bright green skin and are a lot bigger than its relative, the key lime.
The key difference between key lime and Persian lime is that the latter is more acidic than the former. Persian lime also has a tarty taste.
As to health benefits, Persian lime offers a lot. Because of its high vitamin and mineral content, Persian lime boosts immunity, prevents kidney stones, promotes healthy skin, reduces the risk of heart diseases, and promotes healthy skin.
Vanilla Extract
Although vanilla extract is not a citrus by-product, it is also an excellent substitute for orange extract because of its strong taste and flavor.
Aside from that, vanilla extract is readily available in a lot of grocery stores and baking shops.
https://www.healthline.com/health/orange-essential-oil-uses. The Benefits of Orange Essential Oil and How to Use. Cobb, Cynthia. 3 October 2019. Accessed 16 May 2022.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mandarin-orange#benefits. What are the health benefits of mandarin oranges? Richards, Louisa. 6 July 2021. Accessed 17 May 2022
