V8 Juice Plus - Homemade and Healthy

V8 Juice Plus - Homemade and Healthy

4 Cups
Homemade V8 Plus Juice, nourishing and healthy serving of your favorite veggies in one delicious glass full! Along with 8 delicious wholesome veggies, this juice has fresh herbs and an apple to make it a V8 Plus juice.Vegetable juice is probably the best way to have required serving of veggies for whole day, right at the start of day! With homemade version you can control the amount of salt and sugar. I don't add sugar in juices/smoothies. The natural sweetness of apple and tiny bit salt balances the acidity of tomatoes and makes this juice enjoyable for everyone - kids, adults or grands!A raw diet is beautiful way to replenish your body with antioxidants, vitamins and lots of minerals in it's purest form. If I start sharing with your benefits of eating raw vegetables and fruits.. possibly this post will be longest post I will ever write. But, today, I'm here to share a homemade healthier V8 Juice recipe which is low-sodium, adjustable to your taste, and far more healthier.First, confession time! I love V8 juices, specially vegetables and tomato juice. Even though the base ingredients in V8 series of juices i.e. tomato is made from concentrate but they taste really good. Almost like a chilled gazpacho! Actually, I may not enjoy a bottled orange juice as much as I will a bottled V8 tomato juice. I don't say orange juice is bad.. It is just my palate that likes everything savory. :)V8 Juice Plus is my homemade version of V8 Juice that has that savory tomato-y flavor but far less sodium and really nothing from concentrate. Honestly, homemade version of V8 does need a 10 minutes effort to pick veggies from refrigerator, slice, juice and strain (if preferred)... but it's taste and healthy benefits are far more superior. Why V8 Plus? I call it V8 Plus for two reasons. One because I add a small bunch of herbs in juice such as parsley and basil. Original V8 juice recipe may not call for herbs but when I'm juicing a healthy concoction.. I like to keep benefits of herbs in mind.Second reason for V8 Plus is an apple. I mean, a fruit in all vegetable juice. Why Apple?Well, because - an Apple a day keeps doctor away! Also, because sweetness of apple balances the acidity of lime and tomatoes which helps me keep this juice low-sodium. You know, salt balances the sour ingredients. Less sour means less salt needed.The lush red color of original V8 juice is mainly because of tomatoes juice from concentrate. The homemade fresh vegetable juice cannot have that same color. Just so you know, I have used one pound tomatoes in 4 cups of juice. And still there was no deep dark red color anywhere. Only two things I can suggest if you are after thick slurp-y red tomato-y color juice is a) to skip all green veggies b) to not strain the juice.Where option (a) is not my favorite, so my homemade version of V8 is rather orange in color.  Option (b) is totally okay for thick juice. I usually don't strain it.. But for pictures, a glass of juice with sediments was very difficult to shoot. So, I did strain it.Friends, summers are so  hot this year. When you feel like open can of soda... opt for a healthier juice! If it can be homemade.. that is even better! Just so you know, this glass of veggie juice is paleo, gluten free, vegan, and also low sodium.Please don't underestimate the power of a homemade juice. Since it is healthy, it does not mean it is boring! In-fact it is more versatile than you think. Like, a) add some Worcestershire (not vegan) in it for Virgin Bloody Marry!
b) Add any leftover juice in a soup to enhance it's flavor.
c) Or add some sugar and freeze ice pops for a savory summer surprise! I was all cozy with summer tomatoes from past few days! So a tomato juice with big punch of raw vegetable nutrients was must to hit the blog! I hope you will enjoy this V8 Juice Plus version as much as my family enjoyed it! So, friends, hunt veggies from refrigerator and juice one V8 today! Don't worry if you have different veggies or not all 9 ingredients. It is totally okay to try a variation! Now, this makes me ask you, what is your favorite one-glass wonder for breakfast?! Love to hear some ideas!!Wish a you happy week ahead!Cheers! -Savita

Ingredients

  • Tomatoes

    fresh ripe and sweet tomatoes, I added 7 medium size

    1 lb
  • Carrots

    rainbow or orange, 4 medium by count

    ½ lb
  • Lime

    skin removed or squeezed

    2
  • Apple
    1
  • Spinach

    or baby kale

    1 c
  • Basil

    I used half and half of parsley and basil

    ½ c
  • Cucumber
    1
  • inch Ginger
    2
  • Celery

    stalks

    2
  • Red Bell Pepper

    seeds removed

    1
  • Salt

    adjust per taste

    ¼ tsp
  • Lime

    juice, as per taste

Directions

  1. 1

    Peel the veggies such as carrots, cucumber (if you prefer). Slice all large veggies to pieces that can fit your juicer.

  2. 2

    Add to juicer and juice all veggies and apple. I have also strained the juice through fine mesh to reduce foam/fiber (for better presentation). You can keep it in for more healthy grams of fiber per serving. Add salt. Taste and adjust lime juice and salt.

  3. 3

    Pour in glasses, add some ice and serve. Or refrigerate juice for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

V8 Juice Plus - Homemade and Healthy

V8 Juice Plus - Homemade and Healthy

10 min4 Cups

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!

About this Recipe

Homemade V8 Juice Plus: Your Daily Dose of Goodness

Start your day right with a vibrant glass of Homemade V8 Juice Plus, a nourishing and incredibly healthy way to enjoy a full serving of your favorite vegetables. Forget store-bought versions; this V8 juice recipe lets you control every ingredient, ensuring a low-sodium, sugar-free, and utterly delicious beverage packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

What makes this recipe a "V8 Plus"? We go beyond the traditional 8 vegetables by adding a fresh blend of herbs like parsley and basil, boosting both flavor and health benefits. The true secret, however, is the inclusion of an apple. This clever addition provides natural sweetness that beautifully balances the acidity of the tomatoes and lime, allowing us to keep the salt content remarkably low. This makes it a perfect healthy vegetable juice for everyone, from kids to adults!

Crafting your own homemade V8 juice means no concentrates, just pure, fresh ingredients. While the lush red of commercial V8 often comes from tomato concentrate, our fresh version boasts a beautiful orange hue, a testament to its raw, wholesome goodness. If you prefer a thicker juice, feel free to skip straining – either way, the taste is undeniably superior.

This homemade V8 isn't just a drink; it's a versatile foundation for culinary creativity. Enjoy it chilled on its own, use it as a base for a refreshing Virgin Bloody Mary, add it to soups for an enhanced flavor, or even freeze it into savory ice pops for a unique summer treat. Being paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and low-sodium, it truly caters to a wide range of dietary needs. In just about 10 minutes of prep, you can transform fresh produce into a powerhouse drink that tastes incredible and fuels your body.

Frequently Asked Questions