Go Back
+ servings
3 jars of homemade orange marmalade.
Print

Orange Marmalade

This Orange Marmalade recipe is made with ordinary oranges and lemons, and it’s as unfussy as it is delicious. It follows the "old fashioned" technique of sitting in a pot overnight, and every spoonful will make your morning toast sparkle.
Course Pantry
Cuisine British
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Overnight soak 8 hours
Total Time 11 hours 10 minutes
Servings 96 servings (2 tbsp each)
Calories 68kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 large seedless oranges scrubbed clean (about 3 pounds or 8 cups slices, see note 1)
  • 2 lemons (about 1/2 pound or 1 cup slices)
  • 8 cups water
  • 8 cups granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Cut oranges and lemons in half crosswise, then into very thin half-moon slices. Discard any seeds. In a large stainless steel pot, add the sliced oranges, lemons, and any accumulated juices.
  • Add water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar until it dissolves. Cover and let stand overnight at room temperature.
  • The next day, bring the mixture back to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours. Turn heat up to medium and boil gently, stirring often, for another 30 minutes.
  • Skim off any foam that forms on the top. Cook the marmalade until it reaches 220 degrees (you must hit this temperature for the natural pectin to gel with the sugar).
  • To test if the marmalade is ready, place a small amount on a plate and refrigerate it until it's cool but not cold (see note 4). If it's firm (neither runny nor hard), it's ready. It will be a golden orange color. If the marmalade is runny, continue cooking it; if it's hard, add a bit more water.
  • Pour the marmalade into clean hot mason jars; wipe the rims thoroughly with a clean damp paper towel, and seal with the lids. Chill in the refrigerator. It may take 24-48 hours for the natural pectin to set up properly.

Video

Notes

  1. Oranges: This recipe is made with regular seedless oranges. You can definitely substitute Seville oranges if you can find them. They are only in season from the end of January to mid-February, but they have an intense flavor that is ideal for marmalade.
  2. Yield: This recipe makes about 3 quarts (96 ounces) of marmalade.
    • If using 1/2-pint (8 ounce) jars, you'll need 12.
    • If using 1 pint (16 ounce) jars, you'll need 6.
    • If using the tiny jelly jars (4 ounce), you'll need 24.
  3. Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
  4. Cold-plate test: To test if your marmalade is ready, spoon some hot marmalade on to a plate and put it in the freezer to chill, or spoon some over an icy cold plate fresh from the freezer. If the mixture wrinkles slightly when you draw a spoon or finger across it, it has reached the setting point. Your marmalade is ready to go! If not, keep boiling and make sure the temperature reaches 220 degrees.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsp | Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg