Abstract Reactive extraction has been shown as an applicable first step in the downstream processing for the recovery of dicarboxylic acids from aqueous solutions, leading to yields of X RE = 0.95 ± 0.05 for cis,cis-muconic acid. A next step towards a downstream processing concept is the examination of strategies to recover the dicarboxylic acid from the organic phase. A reasonable strategy has to lead to high yields and allow for a recycle of the organic phase for further reactive extraction steps. This work presents two recovery strategies for the cis,cis-muconic acid after reactive extraction. A pH-shift uses the strong pH dependency of the reactive extraction itself. A buffered aqueous phase as re-extraction phase leads to a yield of X REEX = 0.99 ± 0.080 at pH > 7. The second approach is the addition of water soluble amines as an additional reactive component. A complex of water soluble amines and the acid is re-extracted into an aqueous phase. Propylamine showed the best performance ( X REEX = 1 ± 0.069) of all water soluble amines investigated. An analysis of the distribution behavior of the water soluble amines showed that a recycle of the organic phase for further reactive extraction steps is feasible for both strategies. The results allow for a further development of an in situ downstream processing concept for biocatalytic produced dicarboxylic acids.