You may think you don’t like vegetables, but finding the right vegetable juice recipes just might change your mind! Juicing vegetables could open up a whole new world for you.
We all know that vegetables are healthy for us. Most doctors and government health departments tell us that we should be consuming several servings a day. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and important cancer-fighting compounds.
Unfortunately, for some people, vegetables just don’t taste good. Perhaps the texture of boiled or steamed vegetables is off-putting, or the sulfurous smell or taste of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) turns you off. With any electric juicer, you can transform your relationship with these nutrient-dense plants through vegetable recipes aimed at ambivalent vegetable taste buds.
Most people enjoy fruit juices, but the term “vegetable juice” conjures up images of V8s or other canned tomato drinks. Believe it or not, there’s a whole world of juicing vegetables that taste nothing like you’d imagine. Whether alone or mixed with fruit extracts, even an avowed enemy of vegetables can partake.
Vegetable juices that are easy to enjoy even for the veggie-averse include cucumber, carrot, bell pepper, fresh tomato (which is very different from canned tomato!), celery, jicama, and zucchini. Then there are a variety of options to mask the flavor of other examples.
The first option to make vegetable juice recipes more palatable is to mix them with fruit extracts. Spinach juice or kale juice mixed with apple juice is sweet and delicious. Orange juice can overpower the flavor of some green juice. Carrot and apple are a great combination for those who hate vegetables. Cherry or pomegranate juice is flavorful enough that a little carrot or celery juice is barely noticeable. Melon juice mixes well with cucumber or celery. Jicama juice or zucchini juice can be combined with mango or pineapple juices.
If you’re making a smoothie, you can add avocado to any fruit or fruit juice without significantly changing the flavor. This will add fiber and healthy fats to your drink. Spinach or other green leafy vegetables can be pureed with fruit and yogurt to create a nutritious green smoothie without a strong vegetable flavor.
Another option is to add lime or lemon juice to brighten up the flavor of a vegetable juice, increasing its appeal to your taste buds. Adding fresh ginger or garlic can give it a whole new twist. Herbs can also be squeezed to change the flavor profile of a juice. Try basil, parsley, cilantro, or dill.
Vegetable juices can be incorporated into other recipes if desired. Use fresh vegetable juice as a base for lentil soup or vegetable soup, or in a vinaigrette or marinade. Pepper, tomato, and cucumber juices can be combined with spices to make a delicious gazpacho.
Vegetable juice can even be used instead of water to cook rice or other grains. It can also be made a part of cocktails or used in place of water in almost any savory recipe.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to finding ways to incorporate vegetables into your diet. Through juicing, you can enjoy the critical nutrients of vegetables without unwanted vegetable flavors and textures.
