What to do with Orange Peels? 9 Amazing Ideas
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Wondering what to do with orange peels? Don’t throw them away! There are so many amazing things you can make with orange peels, from recipes to beauty products to homemade cleaners!
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Have you ever looked at your orange peel after making fresh orange juice and thought, “I wish there was something else I could do with it besides just throwing it away”? If so, you’re in luck, because I’m going to tell you what to do with leftover orange peels so you can make the most of every part of this great fruit!
There are plenty of creative and useful ideas for what to do with leftover orange peels. From creating delicious recipes to creating natural household cleaners, orange rinds are an incredibly versatile ingredient. Read on to discover all the exciting possibilities of using orange peels.
What to do With Leftover Orange Peels
There are all sorts of creative ways to use leftover orange peels and avoid food waste! The possibilities are endless, so I put together a list of great ideas to put those leftover citrus peels to good use.
1. Make Candied Orange Peels
Candied orange peels are a sweet delicacy, usually made from leftover peels. The oranges are first split in half and the peel segments are carefully removed. The strips of peel are then boiled multiple times, usually overnight, in sugar syrup to remove their bitter flavor. The final result is a sweet and flavorful candy!
Candied peels can be eaten alone as a snack or used to decorate desserts like pastries, cookies and cakes. They can also be dipped in chocolate and creams for an extra-special treat.
2. Orange Marmalade
Orange marmalade is a type of jam made with oranges and peels. It is usually tart but sweetened with sugar or honey. Marmalade is usually served on toast and can also be used in baking or as a topping for ice cream.
The orange peels are boiled with sugar and water to soften and add additional flavor. The boiled peels and liquid are then pureed to make a thick, citrusy spread.
3. Salad Dressings
The citric acid in oranges is a great addition to salad dressings like orange vinaigrette. To do so, you will need to finely chop or mince the peels. Then, mix them in equal parts with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste and use it to dress your salad. You can also use the orange zest from the peels over top of your salad for extra flavor.
4. Homemade Face Masks
Aside from just enjoying the pleasant citrus scent on your skin, making a face mask with leftover orange peels is a great way to save money and give your skin a boost of vitamins and minerals. It’s also a great way to reduce waste!
The high citric acid content can help exfoliate dead skin cells, reduce dark spots, and make a huge difference in skin appearance that’s the perfect addition to beauty routines. This is also a great way to make body scrubs!
5. Make Natural Insect Repellents
Many natural insect repellents can be made in a really simple way, from a combination of essential oils and other plant-based materials, like leaves, flowers, roots, and citrus peels like dried orange peels.
Many of these repellents are non-toxic and don’t contain the powerful harm-inducing chemicals often found in synthetic repellents.
6. Infuse Oil
It’s easy to infuse oils with orange peels to make orange oil. Place the fresh orange peel in a mason jar, pour in your favorite natural oils (like olive, coconut, or vegetable), and seal the jar.
Place the jar in a cool, dark place and allow it to infuse for up to two weeks. Strain off the oil, discard the orange peels, and enjoy! Citrus oils can be used in cooking or skin care!
8. Homemade cleaning solution
Citrus fruits are great for making cleaning solutions like our orange basil vinegar cleaner. You’ll need to steep the orange peels in a pot of boiling water for around 30 minutes. Once strained, you’ll be left with an all-natural, citrus-scented cleaning solution that can be used in a spray bottle to clean greasy surfaces, counters, and even windows.
You can also add baking soda or vinegar for an extra boost of cleaning power. You can also mix baking soda and water to make a paste-like solution for scrubbing kitchen surfaces.
9. Make a simmer pot
Making an orange peel simmer pot is a simple and natural way to infuse your home with a delightful, citrusy aroma. Start by saving orange peels and adding them to a small saucepan. Fill the pan with water, then toss in other aromatic ingredients like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or even a few drops of essential oils for extra fragrance.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on low heat, and allow it to release its pleasant scent throughout your home. Remember to keep an eye on the water level and add more as needed to avoid the pot from drying out. Enjoy the refreshing and inviting atmosphere it creates!
Use Orange Peels for Their Health Benefits
Vitamin C Benefits
Orange peels are packed with Vitamin C, which provides a lot of health benefits. Vitamin C helps maintain the health of your bones, skin and teeth, and also promotes wound healing and reduces inflammation. Studies have also shown that consuming vitamin C can boost your immune system and help fight colds and other illnesses.
Antioxidant Properties
Orange peels contain lots of powerful antioxidant compounds which have great health benefits. The antioxidants in orange peels may also help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and hypertension.
High Dietary Fiber Content
Orange peels are highly nutritious and can provide many health benefits, including a high dietary fiber content. One cup of orange peels contains nearly 10 grams of dietary fiber, which is about 40 percent of the recommended daily intake.
