Homemade Orange Marmalade (Easy No Pectin Recipe)

Homemade Orange Marmalade is a delicious thick jam made from fresh oranges and is perfect for slathering on toast, pancakes, or even savory poultry dishes. The best part is, this recipe requires no pectin to make!

On our property, we have a rather large naval orange tree. Every year it is packed with bright beautiful oranges. The absolute worst thing is to see any of this fruit go to waste. For months on end, we squeeze fresh juice for breakfast and stock up on this gorgeous homemade orange marmalade. It is incredibly versatile and something I love to cook with and use year-round. These sweet golden jars make wonderful gifts and their presence lining the pantry shelves has now become a recurring theme come February.

This homemade jam requires no pectin to make as the orange peel helps to set the jam in this very simple recipe. Try it on pancakes, toast, biscuits, and even poultry dishes to make orange chicken or a glaze for pork tenderloin. If I had to choose the very best way to enjoy homemade orange marmalade it would be on freshly baked Sliceable White Bread. There is nothing like it.

Homemade Orange Marmalade Is

• Simple to make with just a few ingredients
• This recipe is much less time-consuming than other orange marmalade recipes can be.
• Incredibly fresh tasting and bursting with flavor.
• Perfect for gifting. This recipe will make 4 8 oz jam jars full of homemade orange marmalade.
• Versatile, this orange marmalade can be used on pancakes, toast, or slathered on savory meat dishes like pork tenderloin or chicken.
• Stores well in the fridge, and freezer, and it is easily hot water canned for the pantry.

What You Will Need To Make It

2.5 lbs oranges (about 4 medium oranges)

4 cups of sugar

1 lemon

1/3 cup of water

Tools

Stockpot

Food Processor

Jams Jars

Canning Funnel

Directions

Begin by placing a small dinner plate into the freezer (see chilled plate test below). Wash and dry the oranges well. Cut the ends of the oranges off with a sharp knife. Discard ends.

Then cut the oranges in half, then into quarters so you have 8 chunks per orange.

Place the orange chunks into a food processor and process until broken down (as shown). Pour the oranges into a large stainless steel pot.

Add the sugar, juice of one lemon and 1/3 cup of water. Mix it with a wooden spoon and then set it over medium heat.

Bring it to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Allow the pot to simmer with the lid on for about 35-40 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.

Chilled Plate Test

Occasionally stir the marmalade. When the marmalade appears thickened, you can test it by removing the cold plate from the freezer and adding a spoonful to the center. Let it sit for a few seconds. Then tip the plate a little. If it runs easily, you need to continue simmering the marmalade but if it sits in place it’s ready.

How to Store

It’s important no matter which storing option you choose for homemade marmalade, it is important to wash jars well before starting so they are ready to be filled. 

To Store: When ready, pour the marmalade into awaiting sterilized jam jars. It will keep up to 2 weeks in the fridge in the jam jars or you can place it in freezer bags and freeze it for up to 3 months. You can also opt to hot water can the jars to seal them for pantry storage.

To Freeze: If placing it in freezer bags you will want to allow the marmalade to cool completely before filling the bags. Fill the bag up halfway, push out any excess air then seal.

Canning Instructions:

Heat the marmalade to 220℉. Then pour it into sterilized awaiting jam jars. Place sterilized lids on. Hand-tighten the lids and place them in a hot water canner. Bring to a boil and allow jars to remain in the hot water canner for 10 minutes. Remove from the hot water canner and allow the jars to sit at room temperature for 24 hours before storing. Store them in a cool dry place for up to 6-10 months. To test the jars, push the center of the lid. It should not move if properly sealed. If it does, the jar will need to be processed again before storing.

Cooking Notes

• Be sure to use organic oranges as we will be using the entire orange to make this marmalade.
• Marmalade is ready when it reaches a deeper rich color and it has thickened. To test the marmalade remove the plate from the freezer and add a small spoonful to the center. If it doesn’t run its ready and if it runs easily, it needs to simmer longer.
• You can use any type of orange you’d like for this. Here are a few to consider Valencia, Seville, Blood, or Naval.
• If you don’t have a food processor you can always manually chop the oranges up. Make sure they are finely cut up (similar to the photo shown) and that there are no large chunks.

Trouble Shooting

My marmalade is too thin: If you find that the marmalade is still too runny after simmering for 40 minutes, you can either add some store-bought pectin or simply continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes or so. Keep in mind, that the marmalade is runnier heated up and it will also thicken as it cools.

Marmalade is too thick: You can add more water to the marmalade until it’s the correct consistency. You want it thick but to still have a little movement. So that it’s almost a thick gel.

Setting Point

You can use a candy thermometer to determine if the marmalade has set. The range for setting is 217℉-221℉ depending on how thick you want it. 

FAQ’s

Why isn’t their pectin in this recipe?

Unlike most other types of jams or jellies, orange marmalade does not need additional pectin to help thicken. Oranges have natural pectin found in their white pith which is the white part of the center peel. This has plenty of pectin to set this homemade jam. .

Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?

Absolutely! You can simply double the recipe and that will result in about 8-half-pint jars of homemade orange marmalade.

What is the best way to store homemade orange marmalade?

I like storing mine in jam jars in the fridge so that it is ready to go. This delicious marmalade will store well for up to two weeks in the jars if kept in the fridge. You can also hot water can the jam jars if you’d like to store these at room temperature in a pantry. Keep in mind orange marmalade also freezes well too so you can place it into a freezer-safe container and it will keep for up to 3 months.

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Jam Jars

Stockpot

Food Processor

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