If you're a fan of V8 juice but want to avoid the added preservatives and high sodium content found in store-bought versions, making your own is a fun and surprisingly easy alternative. You can pack a homemade tomato juice with a completely customized cornucopia of fresh, nutritious vegetables that suit your taste preferences. This homemade version let's you use high-quality, seasonal ingredients at the peak of their natural flavors while also letting you use every speck of that garden produce too!
Tips for Success
- High-quality vegetables give homemade juice the best flavor. Fresh is great, but don't be afraid to try frozen add-ins that that were harvested and preserved at their peak!
- Experiment with the seasoning to suit your taste. Add more or less salt, black pepper, herbs, or hot sauce as desired.
- Straining the juice will help achieve a smooth texture. Strain multiple times if you'd like!
- Store the juice in airtight containers to keep it fresh longer. Large canning jars are great.
You'll Need
- 8 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, diced
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup beets, diced
- 1 handful of spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or one garlic scape sliced)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley
- Water as needed to thin
- 1 teaspooon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Hot Sauce, chili pepper, dash of cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce (optional)
- High-power blender or juicer
- Strainer, fine-mesh sieve, or cheesecloth
1. Prepare the Vegetables
- Wash all vegetables thoroughly to remove dirt and pesticides.
- Peel the carrots and beets.
- Chop all vegetables into smaller pieces to make blending easier.
2. Blend the Vegetables
- Add the chopped vegetables to the blender or juicer.
- If juicing, we love a cold press juicer eliminates all seeds and expels roughage.
- If blending, you may want to add a small amount of water to help with emulsification.
3. Strain the Juice
- Pour the blended mixture through a strainer or cheesecloth to remove the pulp.
- Press the pulp with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. You may want to juice in batches to make this easier.
4. Season the Juice
- Transfer the strained juice to a large bowl or pitcher.
- Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Stir well to combine all ingredients.
5. Store and Serve
- Pour the juice into airtight containers.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled and enjoy your delicious juice!
FAQ
How long does homemade V8 juice last?
Homemade V8 juice can last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator if stored in airtight containers. You can adjust the recipe to make as many cups of juice as you can drink in that time. For the best flavor and nutritional value, it's recommended to consume it within the first couple of days.
Can I customize the vegetables in my V8 juice?
Absolutely! You can add or substitute other vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, even summer squash to suit your taste preferences (and utilize a garden abundance). You can "hide" a bunch of spinach or kale for a vitamin kick. Adding prepared horseradish, a bit of lemon juice, or a fresh spice like a habanero pepper are some simple extra steps to change up vegetable juice each time you make it. Just keep the overall volume of vegetables the same to maintain a balanced flavor.
Do I need to cook the vegetables before blending?
No, you don’t need to cook the vegetables before blending. Using raw vegetables helps retain their maximum nutritional value. However, if you want to add tougher vegetables (beets, broccoli, carrots) you can lightly steam them to get a smoother blend.
