How to Juice a Grapefruit Without A Juicer

Nobody can deny the effectiveness of an actual juicer, but honestly, they can be such a pain. Not only are they an investment, but they’re a drag to clean and take up precious counter space.

If you just want an occasional fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, it’s easier to do it by hand. But hang on—before you start squeezing, there’s a few things you should know.

In this video, Phoebe Lapine shows the most effective way to juice a grapefruit by hand. The benefit of juicers is that they manage to extract every last drop of juice from the fruit, but Phoebe’s tips can help you accomplish that with a simple fork and some elbow grease.

First, roll the grapefruit on the counter while applying a little downward pressure. This helps loosen up all the juice inside so you won’t have to squeeze as hard later. (The same trick works if you’re juicing a lemon or lime!)

Cut the grapefruit in half crosswise with a large chef’s knife. Hold the grapefruit half in one hand and a fork in the other. While squeezing the grapefruit, twist the fork around the inside to make the juice come out a little more easily (read: less squeezing!).

These tips should help you get as much juice from the grapefruit as possible. You can enjoy the juice straight, or you could add a touch of it to some seltzer for a healthy soda alternative.

For more citrus tips, here’s how to cut a grapefruit for healthy snacking, and how to segment a grapefruit to make an incredible citrus salad.