With a very small investment of time, you can make 12 delicious half-pints of homemade orange marmalade for long-term storage or to give as gifts.
Do you enjoy orange marmalade on toast, scones, or biscuits? I really do, and today I want to show you how to make (and can) your own jars of this thick, delicious citrus jam!
Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Orange Marmalade?
The ingredients to make this absolutely delicious citrus marmalade are quite simple. They are oranges, lemons, sugar and pectin powder!
Process For Canning Fruit Jams/Marmalades
I did not take photos during the actual “making” of this particular marmalade, but I can assure you it’s similar in process to making other jams. **Below are photos I took while preparing my raspberry jam, so you can “see” the jar filling process.
The fruit is cooked, sugar and pectin is added, then hot clean canning jars are filled, air is removed from jars, rims are wiped clean to remove any jam/spills, clean hot lids and jar rings are attached, and then the jars of marmalade are processed in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
After Processing The Orange Marmalade
Once the orange marmalade has finished processing, hot jars are removed from canner, placed on a dish towel on counter to cool for 24 hours. When the jars have completely cooled, check the lids to ensure all jars are properly sealed for long term storage. Label the jars, then store them in the pantry for later use!
You can see the pieces of the oranges in the finished orange marmalade. When I made this marmalade for the first time, it made just a little bit more than 12 half-pints. The marmalade lasted a long time in our pantry. I love the fresh citrus taste of orange marmalade on biscuits, and I even have used it on baked chicken, and in my Grilled “Thai” PB& J Sandwiches (yum)!
This jam is very delicious, and I love that with only a small investment of my time, I can have many jars of this delicious treat to provide for our family for months and months, AND to give as gifts to friends and neighbors! Sure hope you will give this marmalade a try! It’s GOOD!
Looking For More JAM Recipes?
You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some wonderful jam recipes you might enjoy, including:
Interested In More Recipes?
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Recipe source: Instructions from inside a box of MCP Pectin powder
- 3½ pounds oranges (Valencia oranges, about 6 large)
- 6 cups water
- 4 lemons (for juice- total = 1/2 cup)
- 9½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 box MCP fruit pectin , (1.75 ounces)
- Cut off ends of oranges. Thinly slice the oranges (keep the peel ON), then cut each slice into 4 pieces. Place oranges, water, and ½ cup fresh lemon juice in a large stockpot (6-8 quart). Bring the mixture to a boil on high heat, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for one hour (or until peel is tender),stirring occasionally. Measure out EXACTLY 7 cups of the cooked orange mixture. If necessary, add water to make 7 cups.
- Prepare water bath canner (filled half way with water), canning jars and lids according to manufacturer instructions and general canning guidelines. Bring water in canner to a simmer.
- Measure out the granulated sugar into a large bowl and set aside until ready to add to jam.
- Place 7 cups of prepared orange mixture in large stockpot. Add box of Pectin and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a rolling boil on high heat (a rolling boil is when it's boiling so hard it won't stop bubbling even when stirred).
Stir in granulated sugar quickly (all at once). Stir well to combine. Bring the jam/pectin/sugar mixture back to a full, rolling boil. Once it is a full rolling boil, boil it for exactly 4 minutes, stirring constantly. When time is up, remove pan from heat, then skim off any accumulated foam (and discard).
- Ladle marmalade into hot, prepared jars. Fill the jars, leaving ⅛ inch headspace at the top. Remove air bubbles with a plastic utensil. Adjust the headspace, if necessary, by adding or removing jam.
- Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe down rim and edges of the jar. You need it free of debris in order to get a good seal. Cover with a hot, flat jar lid. Screw on bands to fingertip tightness.
- Lower the jars on an elevated rack into the simmering water in the canner. The jars must be completely covered with water, and have at least an inch of water over the top of the jar. Add more boiling water to canner, if necessary. Cover the canner; bring to a gentle boil. Once water is boiling, process jars for 10 minutes. When done, turn off heat, wait for a minute, carefully remove canner lid (lift lid away from you because of steam); lift each jar out (with canning tongs), and place on dish towel on counter to cool (don't put jars directly on counter because temperature differences could possibly crack jars). You should hear "ping" sound as the jars seal properly.
- After the jars cool off, you can check to see if jars sealed properly by pressing the middle of the lid. The jar should NOT spring back when touched. If it does spring back, the jar did not seal properly for long term storage, so you will need to refrigerate that particular jar. Let the sealed jars stand at room temp for 24 hours, wipe clean, label, then store unopened in a cool, dark place.
Altitude Adjustments:Higher altitudes require additional processing times:
1-3 K feet = +5 min. 3-6 K feet = +10 min. 6-8 K feet = +15 min.
Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!
Remember to adjust processing time if living at high altitudes! There is a chart for this. Check the main canning sites or ‘search’ for the chart. For example I add 10 minutes living a mile high.
Can you preserve jars of homemade marmalade with wax seals or must you process in a water bath??
I am excited to make this recipe tomorrow!! we will be making about 48 jars!!
I do have a question, what can we do with the scraps? I would hate to waste them.
Good morning, Carolyn. Thank you for writing. Sounds like you will be making a LOT of marmalade.. yum! Since almost all of the orange peels are used IN the recipe, I am not too sure what you could do with the leftover end slices. There are several online sources for “things you can do with orange peels”. Perhaps one of those will provide an idea or two for you to consider. Take care, stay safe, and have a great day.
Good Morning,
I am curious to know why the peel is left on?
Good morning, Melody! I don’t have a hands-down explanation for you, but traditionally made orange marmalade has pieces of the peel in it. The peel, itself, has some natural pectin in it, which helps to thicken the jam. The peel also has lots of citrus oils in it which also adds to the flavor. That’s about all I’ve got to offer you an answer to your question. Hope it helps a bit. Thanks for taking time to write. Hope you have a fantastic day!
What kind of oranges did you use or recommend? Love your recipes.
Good morning, Beverley! I used Valencia navel oranges. That is a great question… I will go back into my recipe and specify that! Thanks, and have a fantastic day!