Make the Most of Your Pulp: 20 Tips for Cooking, Gardening & Crafting with Leftover Juice Pulp
If you regularly whip up fresh fruit and vegetable juices at home, you know that juice pulp can quickly pile up. While some pulpy bits end up in the compost bin, there are countless ways to reuse this fiber-filled byproduct instead of tossing it out. In this article, I'll share 20 clever zero-waste ideas for how to use leftover juice pulp.
From incorporating it into edible recipes like burgers, baked goods, and dips to repurposing it for gardening, skin care, and homemade paper, this piece covers a wide range of innovative pulp uses. I'll provide actionable tips for reaping the benefits of juice leftovers in your cooking, crafting, gardening, self-care routines, and more.
If you're wondering what to do with leftover juice pulp instead of throwing it away, read on for 20 helpful and creative solutions. Let's dive into all the possibilities for this underutilized kitchen scrap!
20 Tips for Using Leftover Juice Pulp
1. Make Veggie Burgers or Meatballs with Pulp
Leftover pulp from juicing carrots, beets, spinach, and other veggies can be mixed right into burgers or meatballs for a nutrition boost. The fiber helps bind the patties or balls together, while the added produce increases vitamins and minerals. Some veggie pulp ideas:
Mix carrot, beet, or sweet potato pulp into veggie burger patties along with beans, oats, etc.
Add spinach, kale, or parsley pulp to turkey or beef meatballs and meatloaf dishes.
For vegan/veggie versions, fruit pulp works too. Think apple, pear, or peach pulp mixed into bean-based veggie balls.
Getting creative with leftovers cuts waste and makes burgers and meatballs more nutritious. The added pulp also increases dietary fiber.
2.Blend into Hummus, Dips, and Spreads
That leftover pulp has flavor, which makes it ideal for mixing into dips and spreads. Try adding pulp to:
Hummus - carrot, beet, bell pepper all work well.
Baba ghanoush - use eggplant or carrot pulp.
Guacamole - avocado skins/pits blend in perfectly.
Bean dips - spinach, parsley, or fruit pulp provide fiber.
Nut butters - blend in apple, pear, or carrot pulp.
The added texture and nutrition from produce scraps can make homemade dips even more delicious. Get creative with pulp mix-ins!
3. Add to Oatmeal, Yogurt, or Smoothies
An easy way to use up pulp is by folding it into oatmeal, yogurt, overnight oats, chia pudding, or smoothies. The fiber content keeps you full, adds nutrients, and lends fun textures. Ideas:
Apple, pear, or peach pulp - sweetens yogurt or oats.
Carrot or sweet potato pulp - blends into tropical smoothies.
Beet or berry pulp - swirl into chia pudding bowls.
Citrus pulp - brightens up overnight oats.
Greens pulp - spinach, kale, parsley enhance smoothies.
Adding just a spoonful or two of leftover pulp to breakfasts and snacks lets none go to waste. Get creative mixing and matching!
Related article: 10 ECO-FRIENDLY JUICE PULP RECIPES FOR YOUR LEFTOVER PULP
4. Make Pulp Crackers or Flatbread
For a crispy, fiber-filled snack, turn leftover pulp into homemade crackers or flatbread.
Fruit pulp crackers - dehydrate apple, pear, berry, etc.
Vegetable pulp crackers - use carrots, beets, potatoes.
Herby pulp flatbread - fold parsley, cilantro pulp into dough.
Pulp pizza crusts - add to whole wheat dough with herbs and cheese.
The pulp increases nutritional content and lends fun flavor and texture. You can adjust spice, cheese, and herb additions to suit any taste.
5. Bake Pulp into Muffins, Breads, or Cakes
Both fruit and vegetable pulp can be incorporated into all sorts of baked goods. The key is draining excess moisture before adding it to batter.
Carrot cake with shredded carrot pulp.
Zucchini bread with leftover zucchini pulp.
Beet or spinach muffins for veggie goodness.
Applesauce cakes and muffins using apple pulp.
Banana bread enhanced with banana pulp fiber.
The pulp adds great texture and nutrition to baked goods while reducing food waste. Get the whole family in on using leftovers!
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6. Whip Up Veggie Scraps Broth or Stock
Save veggie pulp and trimmings in bags in the freezer until you have enough to make veggie broth or scrap stock. Simply simmer the pulp in water with aromatics for an hour before straining. Broth ideas:
Carrot pulp, onion skins, garlic, and herbs
Beet and potato peels, mushroom stems, etc.
Bell pepper cores, tomato tops, leek leaves
Herb stems, greens pulp, garlic, and spices
Scrap stock adds nutrients and flavor to soups, grains, stews, and more. It takes leftover parts most would toss out and repurposes them.
7. Compost Pulp for Gardening and Houseplants
Fruit and vegetable pulp makes a fantastic addition to any compost pile, bin, or bag. The nutrients and moisture help household compost along.
Bury pulp directly into garden beds and borders.
Till pulp right into the soil around plants as a natural fertilizer.
Add pulp to vermicompost bins to feed worms.
Mix pulp into compost piles and bins to activate decomposition.
The pulp breaks down over time, leaving behind nutrients. Composting scraps produces soil-enhancing fertilizer for free!
8. Feed Pulp to Worms in Vermicomposting
Pulp and trimmings provide nutritious food for worms in vermicomposting bins. Worms devour veggie/fruit scraps, generating a naturally nutrient-rich fertilizer called "worm castings".
Some worm-friendly pulp recipes:
Watermelon, apple, and citrus pulp.
Carrot, beet, and potato peels.
Leafy greens pulp and herb stems.
Feed worms any non-oily produce bits. The castings later enrich houseplants or the garden. Vermicomposting lets nothing go to waste!
Related article: Recycling Juicer Pulp: A Guide to Using it as Compost in Your Garden
9. Mix into Stuffing or Meatloaf
Pulp adds delicious moisture and texture when incorporated into stuffing, meatloaf, and similar dishes.
Add apple, pear, or citrus pulp to stuffing recipes.
Mix carrot, beetroot, or spinach pulp into meatloaf or burgers.
Grate zucchini or potato pulp into stuffing for added nutrition.
Leftover pulp provides an easy way to get more veggies into family favorites. The added fiber keeps bellies full, as an added bonus.
10. Dehydrate into Chips or Seasoning Powder
Dehydrating juice pulp overnight creates delicious, nutrient-dense homemade chips and seasoning powder.
Make beet, sweet potato, carrot, or parsnip chips.
Dry apple, pear, or pineapple pulp for fruity chips.
Grind dehydrated pulp into a sprinkleable seasoning powder.
Use parsley, cilantro, or spinach pulp for an herby kick.
Dehydrating squeezes every last bit of use from scraps. Crunchy pulp chips and seasoning lend great flavor to snacks and meals.
11. Freeze Pulp into Smoothie Ice Cubes
An easy way to save veggie and fruit pulp is by freezing it into smoothie ice cubes. Blend pulp with a little juice or water and freeze in an ice tray for later use.
Carrot, sweet potato, or beet pulp cubes add nutrients.
Berry, mango, pineapple pulp makes smoothies fruity.
Kale, spinach, parsley pulp increases antioxidants.
Keep smoothie cubes on hand for nutrients and natural sweetness on busy mornings. Freezing locks in freshness for later.
12. Hydrate Skin with Pulp Face Masks
Did you know leftover fruit and veggie pulp contains antioxidants, vitamins, and hydrating properties that can nourish skin?
Avocado or banana pulp helps hydrate dry skin.
Strawberry and blueberry pulp reduces inflammation.
Carrot and beet pulp detoxify.
Kiwi, papaya, and mango pulp brighten dull complexions.
Making skin-loving pulp face masks is an easy way to work it into your self-care routine. Why waste all those natural skincare benefits?
13. Create Homemade Soaps and Scrubs with Pulp
Recycle fruit and veggie leftovers into homemade soaps, scrubs, and skincare items. The pulp contains nutrients that boost complexion.
Swirl beet, carrot, or sweet potato pulp into cold process soap.
Make an exfoliating citrus pulp face scrub.
Craft a smoothing avocado pulp body scrub.
Whip up hydrating masks with banana, mango or papaya pulp.
Not only does repurposing pulp reduce waste, but it lets you control ingredients in handmade skincare items. It takes DIY self-care to a new level.
14. Make DIY Pulp Paper or Greeting Cards
Did you know that recycled pulp can be transformed into unique, handmade paper at home?
Blend soaked pulp and strain it out to form sheets.
Use veggie or flower pulp for unique colors and textures.
Form pulp paper into one-of-a-kind stationery, cards, gift wrap, and so on.
With just some blending, drying, and pressing, crafting with leftover pulp is easy. The pulp fiber results in paper with character.
15. Craft Pulp Seed Paper to Plant in the Garden
For the ultimate eco-project, make pulp seed paper using leftover veggie/fruit scraps. Form sheets with the pulp, then spread and press in seeds like basil, tomatoes, or flowers.
Once planted in soil and watered, the biodegradable pulp paper will sprout the seeds as it decomposes underground. This takes recycling pulp to the next level for crafty gardeners.
16. Feed Excess Pulp to Pets, Livestock, or Wild Birds
With proper precautions, some leftover juice pulp can be fed to pets, farm animals, or backyard wildlife as an occasional supplement.
Cats/dogs can occasionally enjoy small amounts of veggie pulp mixed into meals. Chickens or pigs gobble up produce bits. And birds enjoy fruit pulp in feeders.
Be sure to research safety for each animal. But repurposing scraps means less waste going to a landfill.
17. Add to a Homemade Loofah or Natural Sponge
For the ultimate eco-friendly scrubber, add leftover bits of cotton pulp into homemade natural loofah sponges. Or try embedding pulp into natural sea sponges.
The biodegradable pulp fibers provide gentle exfoliation. And the sustainable materials cut down on single-use plastic scrubbers.
Craft your own homemade loofahs and sponges for an eco-friendly, all-natural way to reuse pulp fiber.
18. Mix into Play Dough or Modeling Clay for Kids
Let kids get creative with leftover fruit and veggie pulp by mixing it into homemade play dough and modeling clay recipes.
Add spinach or beet pulp for colorful clay. Try apple or pear pulp for sweetness. Carrot and sweet potato pulp also work well.
The pulp adds natural color, texture, and nutrients. And kids will have fun crafting unique playdough creations with the leftovers.
19. Fertilize Houseplants by Working into Soil
Used pulp still contains nutrients that make it the perfect natural fertilizer for indoor plants.
Work some damp pulp right into the top few inches of soil to boost plant health. Fruit and veggie bits provide organic matter, minerals, and moisture to plant roots.
Reusing pulp for houseplants allows it to be reabsorbed in nature’s cycle rather than sending it to waste.
20. Make Nutrient-Rich Juice Pulp Tea
Don't throw out that leftover juice pulp - turn it into a nourishing tea instead!
To make juice pulp tea:
Place wet pulp into "fill your own tea bags".
Allow to brew for around 5 minutes, like you would do with herbal tea
The brewing process pulls beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the pulp into the water.
Pulp from fruits like apple, citrus and berries make tasty cold or hot teas.
As you can see, leftover juice pulp has endless uses beyond just composting. With a little creativity, it can be incorporated into food recipes, crafts, gardening, self-care, and so much more. The possibilities for repurposing scraps are truly endless!
Hopefully, these 20 tips inspire you the next time you’re wondering “What should I do with leftover juice pulp?” Instead of tossing it out, try blending it into a smoothie, baking it into bread, or crafting it into paper. Your zero-waste efforts will be rewarding.
What other creative ways have you found to reuse fruit and veggie pulp? I’d love to hear your leftover solutions and favorite pulp projects in the comments!
About the author:
Gavin is the owner of Tru Foo Juice Bar Co. He has over 6 years of experience creating juice and smoothie recipes for the wholesale and retail market
