Best Orange Extract Substitute for That Citrusy Tang

If you are looking for an orange extract substitute, you have come to the right place. This blog post will discuss 9 orange extract substitutes that can be used in recipes that call for orange extract.

We will also briefly describe each substitute, so you can decide which is best for your needs. Let’s get started!

What is Orange extract?

Orange extract is a refreshing, versatile flavor enhancer that adds a citrusy brightness to everything from desserts and drinks to entrées. 

It’s made by steeping orange peel in alcohol, which dissolves the orange oils and extracts its powerful flavor. 

This extract can be found in numerous forms – liquid, powder, or paste – and it’s also available in natural varieties and imitations. 

Compared to freshly-squeezed oranges, using orange extract will enhance your dishes with a stronger flavor more suitable for baking projects.

What is Orange Extract Used For?

Orange extract is a fantastic kitchen staple for adding an additional layer of orange flavor to your favorite recipes. 

It can be used in many desserts, such as cakes and cookies, to give them a bright and beautiful citrus taste. 

Orange extract is also useful for enhancing the flavor of sauces, marinades, frostings, jellies, jams – even buttercream! 

One of the best things about orange extract is that it’s a versatile ingredient; just a few drops will do – it doesn’t take much to reap the rewards of deliciously rich flavor without having to peel and zest fresh oranges!

Tips for Choosing a Substitute for Orange Extract

It’s important to consider the quality of each variety and its specific ingredients, so you pick an extract with a strong orange flavor. 

Look for all-natural extracts made from real oranges, if possible, such as those with essential oils or pure cane sugar. 

Additionally, consider how much extract you need and what form it comes in: powdered, liquid, or concentrated. 

Finally, think about the complexity of the extract; true-to-life flavored extracts are multi-dimensional and will provide more depth to your dish than single-note versions.

Best Orange Extract Substitutes

Orange Zest

If you’re in a pinch and need something that resembles the flavor of orange extract, orange zest can be a great substitute for orange extract.

Orange zest is simply the outer skin of a piece of an orange, also known as the rind or peel.

Be sure to pay attention to not just the color but also the texture, as the orange zest should look smooth and feel oily under your fingers when rubbed properly against a grater or microplane.

Once you’ve gathered enough orange zest to produce the desired extract, you can use it much like any other ingredient—in baking recipes and beverages!

When using it in recipes, remember that it does contain essential oils from an orange peel, so its flavor will be slightly more pronounced compared to pure extracts; for this reason, adding just a fraction of the quantity may be wise.

You can substitute orange zest with the zest of other citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes or grapefruit and tangerine.

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Orange Juice

Freshly squeezed orange juice can make a great orange extract substitute in many recipes.

While both impart similar flavors, there are several advantages to using orange juice instead of extract for certain dishes.

Firstly, you won’t have to worry about running out of the extract or having to go buy more; just squeeze some fresh juice, and you’re ready to go! 

Even though natural ingredients don’t always behave like artificial ones, orange juice still does an excellent job providing that bright citrus flavor.

Finally, as long as you use fresh-squeezed juice from oranges grown near your recipe, you know that what goes into your dish is authentic and full of flavor.

Orange Liqueur

For baking and culinary enthusiasts, orange liqueur is a great substitute for orange extract when used in the right quantities.

Its strong, unique, and distinctive flavor can add intensity to cookie recipes, cakes, and marinades.

Orange liqueurs, such as Grand Marnier and Cointreau, contain alcohol and have a higher percentage of sugar than orange extract – so one should adjust the other ingredients accordingly.

Additionally, a small amount of orange liqueur goes a long way; use it sparingly to avoid overpowering delicate flavors. 

For those trying this approach for the first time, start with half of the amount called for in any given recipe; later on, experiment and adjust according to individual tastes. 

With the right touch, you can create delicious treats that will make any palate sing.

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Orange Oil

Orange oil, or orange essential oil, is an excellent substitute for orange extract, as it provides flavor and aroma more effectively.

It has a rich and intense flavor due to its pure content so that it can be used in far smaller amounts than extract.

Orange oil has a higher citric acid content than the conventional lemon or lime juice found in most store-bought extracts.

This unique characteristic gives an intense tanginess to recipes while creating amazing desserts, muffins, and baked goods.

Using orange oil instead of the extract also helps reduce the preparation needed; add a few drops of oil to the recipe rather than blending, peeling, and straining oranges to make your own extract.

Orange marmalade

Orange marmalade, a sweet preserve typically made of oranges and sugar boiled down until thick and spreadable, can make a terrific substitute for orange extract in several baking recipes.

While not quite as pungent as an orange extract, it offers a subtle orange flavor that is ideal for cakes, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and loaves.

When substituting, you want to decrease any additional sugar added to the recipe (as the marmalade often has plenty).

Though it may be mainly thought of as something you top toast or biscuits with, this traditional condiment is an underrated star within all sorts of treats.

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Bergamot Orange

Bergamot orange is an exotic citrus fruit with unique properties, making it a great substitute for orange extract.

It has a stronger and more flavorful aromatic profile than the common oranges; while still providing a sweet-citrusy flavor to desserts, beverages, and other recipes.

Bergamot’s rind can also be dried and used as a powder in baking.

Its aroma is similar to orange peel but significantly brighter and bolder. 

What’s great about using bergamot instead of the orange extract is that because it already contains natural oils, less sugar is needed to provide the desired flavor.

All you must do is grate or mince the rind into your recipe!

Mandarin Orange

Mandarin orange can be a surprisingly good substitute for orange extract in baking.

Its strong, fragrant flavor adds an intense zing to desserts and baked goods without an overly artificial taste.

Puree the mandarin oranges and add the juice to any recipe that calls for orange extract.

Remember that you will need double the amount of puree as what is called for when using orange extract.

Note that anchoring the flavor with some ground or grated citrus peel can enhance the mandarin’s characteristics even further, giving your finished products a unique twist.

Other Citrus Fruit

Other citrus fruit can provide a great orange extract substitute in baking, drinks, and other culinary creations.

Lemon extract provides a tart flavor that evokes memories of lemon meringue slices or key-lime cheesecake.

Lime extract is slightly less tart than lemon but still brings brightness to a dish without overpowering.

Grapefruit extract can lend an almost floral essence to a dessert or beverage that will pique any adventurous diner’s interest.

The bottom line? Don’t be afraid to play with a citrus extract in your recipes; you might just be surprised at how much they elevate the flavor and texture of your finished product!

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Meyer Lemon

The Meyer lemon makes an excellent substitute for orange extract in baking recipes, as they provide a complexity of flavor that regular oranges do not.

Meyer lemons boast a specific mix of fragrant oils and compounds found nowhere else, making them unique. Their signature flavor is also highly sought after for its unmistakable citrusy sweetness. 

Use freshly squeezed juice instead of orange extract for added flavor to cakes, muffins, and other baked goods.

You can switch it up anywhere you would otherwise use regular orange extract by creating your own Meyer lemon juice-based extraction process instead.

Meyer Lemon will provide a delightful twist on traditional flavors and give your dishes a subtle sharpness and a juicy brightness that sets them apart!

Orange Extract Summary

When you substitute orange extract to add some flavor and aroma to your recipes, many orange extract alternatives will do the job.

Some of the best substitutes for orange extract can include various parts of the orange or experiment with other citrus fruits.