10 Clever Ways To Use Oranges: Avoid Waste, Reap Nutrition Benefits & Elevate Your Cooking

Winter can feel like a dark, gray time. Perhaps that's why citrus fruit is particularly uplifting at this time of year. Its gorgeous skin and fruit are not only colorful and fragrant but also incredibly nutritious. And, best of all, each and every part can be used in myriad ways. Celebrate National Citrus Month with these 10 clever ways to use one of my favorites: oranges!

Most of us toss our orange peels on our way to the main event—the fruit inside. But the peel offers plenty of benefits. It contains hesperidin1, a polyphenol that may have anti-cancer benefits. And that wonderful aroma that you smell when you peel an orange comes from the citrus oil, limonene, in the peel, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits, specifically for skin cancer2: 

By now I'm sure you've made lemon water about a million times, but how about orange water? You can make a simple beverage infusion with oranges by slicing the fruit into wheels and then just dropping them into hot tea, water, kombucha, or beer. You can also just squeeze orange wedges into your drink. 

Yes, you can buy flavored vodka, but that's exactly what you're going to get—vodka with orange or lemon flavoring added. Make your own DIY flavored vodka with this easy method. 

Not only is candied citrus peel a delicious treat, but it's also a smart way to cut down on food waste!

A breakfast staple, the naturally sweet juice from an orange is loaded with health benefits. An 8-ounce glass provides 420 mg of heart-healthy potassium, 41 micrograms of folate, which is essential for moms-to-be, plus over 100% of your daily value for immune-supporting vitamin C. 

Create ice cubes with freshly squeezed California orange juice and drop them into tea, water, lemonade, or smoothies. They're a simple way to boost the flavor of your drink and add a kick of vitamin C!

A little fresh orange juice adds a splash of flavor to cupcakes, muffins, and quickbreads. You can replace half of the liquid in a recipe with fresh orange juice. For example, if a recipe calls for ½ cup of milk, swap out half of it for ¼ cup of orange juice. You can also make an easy glaze for baked goods with OJ, powdered sugar, a little melted butter, and orange zest (see more ideas for that below). 

Chicken, fish, beef, pork, and tofu can all gain a flavor boost from a zesty citrus marinade. Combine fresh orange juice with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh ginger, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper. 

The zest of the orange is just the colorful, outer part of the peel and can add flavor to so many things. The best way to remove it is with a citrus zester.