This Blood Orange Marmalade is rich in color and flavor and has only 4 ingredients! Serve it on scones or biscuits!
Have you ever tried homemade marmalade? I enjoy it but it can be an acquired taste. True marmalades, such as those made from Seville oranges, should be slightly bitter.
Many store bought varieties might as well be called orange jam. All cloying sweetness, no bitterness or tartness at all. The blood oranges that I’ve used in this recipe definitely add a bitter note but also a rich sweetness and stunning color.
Blood oranges are beautiful, aren’t they? I love eating them plain or using the juice in cocktails and curds. And I can easily photograph them all day.
This recipe requires two days of preparation but most of it is inactive. Make sure to read the recipe all the way through before getting started. You’ll want to take the first step a few hours before bed and then continue the next day.
It’s a fun weekend activity and blood orange marmalade makes a lovely gift. You can store it in jars in the refrigerator for up to two months.
Blood Orange Marmalade
Ingredients
- 10 cups water
- 2 pounds blood oranges, washed and scrubbed (regular oranges may be substituted)
- 2 medium lemons, washed and scrubbed
- 9 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Combine the water, blood oranges and lemons in a large Dutch oven over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, allow the liquid to reach a gentle simmer and then carefully cover the pot with aluminum foil. Crimp the edges to seal tightly and then cover with the lid. Simmer for 3 hours, or until the fruit can be easily pierced with a skewer. Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool overnight at room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F and adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Place sugar in a roasting pan, cover with foil and place in the oven to keep warm.
- Remove the oranges and lemon from the liquid and set the pot aside, reserving the liquid. Quarter the fruit and use a spoon to scoop the pulp and seeds back into the pot, saving the peels.
- Mash the pulp into the liquid with a potato masher and then bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 10 minutes and then strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl, pressing the solids with a spoon to extract the liquid. Discard the pulp and return the strained liquid to the pot.
- Place a small plate in the freezer. Slice the blood orange and lemon peels into thinly diced pieces (I like to leave some slightly larger chunks). Place the peels in the pot with the liquid and bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Stir in the warmed sugar until completely dissolved, 1-2 minutes. Return the pot to medium-high heat and simmer the marmalade, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and darker, 30-45 minutes.
- To test if the marmalade has set, place a small spoonful on the chilled plate and freeze for two minutes. If the marmalade gels in that time, it's done. If not, simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Transfer the marmalade to jars with tight fitting lids and allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate. Marmalade will last for 2 months.
Notes
by Editors at America's Test Kitchen
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Tools I Used
(links go to my Amazon affiliate store)
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5-1/2-Quart Round French Oven
Rubbermaid High Heat Spatula
OXO Good Grips 8-Inch Fine Mesh Strainer
More Orange Recipes
Savory Simple – Orange Cardamom Cinnamon Buns
Savory Simple – Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes with Orange Curd
Savory Simple – Orange Meringue Tarts with Grand Marnier
Movita Beaucoup – Orange Sugar Cookies
Half Baked Harvest – Balsamic Orange Glazed Chicken
I’ve tried and i even made one or two. Much better than the one we buy in stores. But I’ve never made a blood orange marmalade and I need to try.
Looks great! I love marmalades, and usually buy ones produced in England or Scotland (where they know how). I’ve never tried making it myself.
Oh my goodness. I am such a marmalade fan in general, but this one looks exceptionally GREAT!
i needed some ideas for the blood oranges I have. thanks.
as soon as I find some blood oranges, I’m going to try this.
Thanks so much for this recipe!! I will be making this marmalade in the next week! I also pinned the recipe
I lost a lot of water in the 3 hour simmer. Should there be a minimum amount of water in the pot for the rest of the cooking process? If so, how much? Thanks