Lemon Marmalade has always been a favourite with my parents, my father in particular. He has been without his homemade breakfast condiment for a few weeks now and has politely let us know that a jar of shop-bought marmalade is not on his agenda.
As fortune would have it, a friend presented me with some beautiful, homegrown lemons and I have set to work. This is a classic method of making marmalade. It requires just three ingredients, and one of them is water. That is all that you need to make this fresh-flavoured condiment.
If you think that making marmalade is difficult, I want to assure you that it is easier than you may think. Although there is a great deal of science involved, it just requires that you follow a few simple steps.
Let me tell you a little about Marmalade:
Marmalade is a favoured preserve on many breakfast tables. It’s easy to appreciate that this zesty, tangy preserve is a great way to start the day.
Marmalade is only made from citrus fruits, unlike jam, which can be made from any variety of fruit. Moreover, citrus fruits are rich in a naturally occurring substance called pectin. High amounts of pectin and acid, such as in citrus, help the marmalade to set, making it ideal for preserving. As such, it is not necessary to buy special jam-setting sugar.
I regard homemade jams and spreads as luxury items. It’s not that they are expensive to make, especially when the fruit is a gift, but there is an investment of time. However, having jars of marmalade that you have made yourself is tremendously satisfying.
The flavours are bright and clear and remember, there are just three ingredients. Compare that with the labels of some commercial varieties which often have a large range of additives.
Ingredients in my Three Ingredient Lemon Marmalade:
Lemons:
Given that we will be using the entire fruit, it is preferable to use home-grown or organic lemons. Commercially produced lemons generally have a wax coating and may have been sprayed with toxic substances.
Sugar:
I use regular, granulated sugar. It is a large amount of sugar but it does much more than sweeten the marmalade. Its main function is to combine with the pectin and fruit acids to form a gel. In addition, it acts as a preservative that inhibits the growth of mould.
I don’t recommend reducing the amount of sugar as it may interfere with the setting and preservation.
Water:
I have used filtered water but regular tap water is also fine.
How to make Three Ingredient Lemon Marmalade:
Making the marmalade is a two-day process. On the first day, you slice the lemons very finely and put them into a large bowl with water to soak overnight. Soaking the fruit serves two purposes.
Firstly, it softens the peel and secondly, it helps release the pectin required for setting the jam. On day two you cook the fruit and add the sugar.
When setting point is reached, as outlined in the recipe instructions, I remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside for 10 minutes. This will help the fruit to settle and evenly distribute when poured into the jars.
Without settling, the fruit will rise to the top of the marmalade. And finally, ladle it into jars and smile with satisfaction at the result.
Tips for success:
You will not need any special equipment to make this recipe. However, a large saucepan is essential. When you add the sugar, it foams up enormously. Without a very large saucepan, there is the risk of it boiling over.
Your jars and their lids must be sterilised. I do this by heating them in the oven as outlined in the recipe.
As we are using the whole fruit, it is best to use organic or home-grown fruit. However, if you are only able to access commercially grown lemons, they need to be thoroughly cleaned.
Always use fruit which is in good condition and ideally some which are slightly under-ripe as they will contain more pectin. Bruised or damaged fruit may spoil the jam, causing it to deteriorate quickly.
It is important to cook the peel until it is tender before you add the sugar. Once you add the sugar the peel will no longer soften. After adding the sugar it is necessary to completely dissolve it before bringing the mixture back to the boil.
I find it best to check for setting point by checking a small amount of marmalade on a chilled plate. I use the “wrinkle” test, as detailed in the recipe. After reaching setting point, set the marmalade aside for 10 minutes to allow the fruit to settle.
Ladle the marmalade into hot jars to avoid the glass breaking.
Other uses for these ingredients:
We love lemons, and some of our other favourite ways to use them are:
- Individual Lemon Curd Meringues
- Classic Lemon Curd
- Gluten-Free Lemon Madeleines
- Belgian Lemon Tea Cake
- Quick and Easy Lemon Ice Cream
More delicious condiments and edible gift ideas:
- Apricot Jam
- Fresh Peach Chutney
- Easy Plum Jam
- Classic Lemon Curd
- Dill Pickled Cucumbers
- Sweet Chilli Sauce
- Balsamic Glaze
- Preserved Chillies in Oil
When it comes to using the Lemon Marmalade:
First and foremost, this bright and zesty condiment with the zingy flavour of lemon is a great wake-up call, perfect when slathered on your morning toast.
However, there are other ways in which to use it:
- A sticky glaze for chicken drumsticks;
- Make a sauce for pork tenderloin;
- Glaze a Christmas ham;
- Make crostini with goat cheese and prosciutto;
- Bake a lemon cake and make a glaze with the marmalade;
- Serve with Coconut Scones by A Baking Journey.
This refreshing condiment highlights the bright, tangy flavours of lemon. Although it is an ideal toast topping there are other ways in which to enjoy this condiment.
When you try it you will realise that there is no comparison between homemade marmalade and the commercially produced varieties.
Do let me know in the comments below when you have tried this delicious recipe.
Alex xx
Three Ingredient Lemon Marmalade
Equipment
- 9 x 250ml Jars
Ingredients
- 500 g (17.5 ounces) lemons See Notes 1 & 2
- 6 cups (1.5 litre) water
- 8 cups (1.8kg) sugar
Instructions
To sterilise the jars:
- Preheat the oven to 130 Degrees C (270F).Use glass jars with an airtight, metal lid. Wash them either in the dishwasher or by hand in hot soapy water, and rinse well. Check that the metal lids do not have rubber inserts. (See Note 9)
- Place upright jars and lids on a baking tray. Heat in the oven for at least 20 minutes, then remove and immediately fill with marmalade.
Marmalade:
- Place 2 saucers or small plates in the freezer, ready to check for the setting point of your marmalade.
- Thoroughly wash the lemons. Remove each end of the lemons and cut the lemons into quarters lengthways. Holding two of the quarters together, slice as thinly as possible and remove any seeds.
- Place the lemon slices in a non-reactive bowl. See Note 3. Add 6 cups of water, cover the bowl and leave the lemons to stand overnight.
- The following day, place the lemons and water into a large, non-reactive saucepan. – See Note 4.
- Over medium-high heat, bring the fruit and water to the boil. Boil for approximately 15 minutes or until the lemon peel is tender, stirring occasionally with a long-handled wooden spoon. – See Note 5. The time may vary slightly depending on the variety of lemon and the thickness of the slices.
- Add the sugar and stir well to dissolve it. After dissolving the sugar, return the fruit to the boil, stir occasionally and skim to remove any foam. Continue to stir until the marmalade reaches setting point, about 20 minutes. – See Note 6Remove from the heat to conduct the wrinkle test. If not set, continue to boil for another 1 minute and then test again.
- To test for setting point, I use the “wrinkle” test. Take one of your saucers from the freezer and pour a small amount of marmalade onto it. Let it cool for a minute then push against the marmalade with the tip of your finger. If the surface wrinkles it means setting point has been reached. Alternatively, if you are not confident checking this way or are not experienced at making marmalade, you can use the fail-safe method of using a jam/candy thermometer which you clip to the side of your saucepan. When attaching your thermometer, make sure that the base is not touching the bottom of the saucepan. Your marmalade has reached setting point when the temperature reaches 104.5 degree C or 220 degrees F. It will still be liquid at this point, and will set as it cools.
- Take the mixture off the heat and let the marmalade stand for about 10 minutes. This will help evenly distribute the fruit throughout the jars.
- Remove your jars from the oven and carefully ladle the marmalade into the heated, sterilised jars. You need to be very careful. Splashing yourself with hot marmalade will result in a very serious burn. I suggest you have clothing with long sleeves and ensure that you do not have children nearby. Put lids on jars immediately, and seal well – being careful to use a cloth or oven gloves to handle the jars/lids.
Video
Notes
- The weight of the lemons, before trimming the ends and removing the seeds, was 530 gm/1.2 lbs.
- As the peel is such an important part of the marmalade, I like to use organic or home-grown lemons. Commercially produced lemons generally have a wax coating and may have been sprayed with toxic substances. If this is all that you can obtain, you can clean the lemons by placing them in a colander and pouring over freshly boiled water. Then, scrub them gently with a nail brush while holding them under cold running water.
- Non-reactive bowls and saucepans are stainless steel, glass, ceramic or enamelled cookware. Aluminium, copper and iron bowls or pans are reactive. Acidic foods, such as lemons, may discolour and take on a metallic taste if these are used.
- A large saucepan is essential. When you add the sugar, it foams up enormously. Without a very large saucepan, there is the risk of it boiling over.
- To stir, use a long-handled wooden spoon. Metal will become dangerously hot.
- Boiling time depends on several factors, the width of your saucepan and the heat at which the fruit is boiled.
- The Marmalade will be shelf stable for approximately 12 months.
- Your marmalade will be very liquid when you add it to the jars so please don’t be concerned. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Leave it for 24-48 hours and then check again. If it is still runny, you can re-boil the marmalade. Empty the contents of the jars back into the saucepan and bring to a boil. To increase the pectin and help the marmalade to set, you can add the juice of half a lemon. Boil for a few minutes and test again.However, if the marmalade was initially boiled too long, it can still result in it not setting as the pectin may have been damaged.
- Properly sterilising your jars is an essential process to remove bacteria which could cause your preserves to spoil. I prefer to sterilise jars in the oven. To do this, preheat your oven to 130 Degrees C (270F). Use glass jars with an airtight, metal lid. If recycling jars, ensure that the jars do not have cracks or chips and the lids are in good condition. Discard any lids that are pitted or rusted. Wash the jars and lids either in the dishwasher or by hand in hot soapy water, and rinse well. Do not dry them with a tea towel. Place upright jars and lids on a baking tray. If you are using kilner jars with rubber seals, be sure to remove the seals before placing the jars in the oven. The dry heat of the oven would damage the seals. Boil the seals separately in a saucepan for about 10 minutes. Heat the jars in the oven for at least 20 minutes. When your preserves are ready to bottle, use thick oven mits or jar tongs to remove the jars. Do not place them on a cold surface as they may shatter. I place mine on a wooden chopping board which I cover with a tea towel. Always sterilise a few more jars than you think you will need. It is better to have too many jars than not enough.
- Please note, the nutritional information is based on one 250ml jar. Please take this into account, as you most likely won’t be consuming a whole jar in one sitting. The nutritional information is an estimate only.
You won’t be disappointed. My grandmother used this recipe to gift me some lemon jam since it’s my favorite. I had to look it up to try for myself and had no idea it was this easy to make! I’ll be making her a jar in return. Thanks Alex!
Hi Mandy, I was thrilled to hear that your grandmother made some Lemon Marmalade for you and that you are about to make a jar for her in return. I am delighted that you both enjoy it and appreciate that you took the time to let me know. Kind regards, Alex 🙂
I make lots of jams and jellies at home and this is hands down the best lemon marmalade I’ve ever made! It comes out perfect every time. Be sure to read all the notes in the recipe. I’ve never had any issues with the consistency or flavor and my family loves it!
Thank you, Nancy – that is lovely to hear!
Slightly different message. Can you use limes instead of lemons with same outcome
Hi Viv!
Yes, you can follow the same recipe. Just a couple of changes – the limes cook quicker, becoming soft in about 7-8 minutes. As a result, you should get an extra jar of marmalade. Kind regards, Alex
Made and lovely.could I use limes instead of lemon using this recipe?
Thank you, Vivienne!
Yes, you can follow the same recipe. Just a couple of changes – the limes cook quicker, becoming soft in about 7-8 minutes. As a result, you should get an extra jar of marmalade. Thanks! Alex
I just finished making a batch of this marmalade from our backyard lemon tree and I’m so excited to try this tomorrow! My house smells so amazing and the small sample I tried is amazing! Be sure to use the wrinkle test like the recipe states. It’s simply the best!
Thank you, Emilia! I am so pleased you tried the recipe – how lovely to have a tree in your backyard. Enjoy your marmalade! Kind regards, Alex
While the recipe is welcome, in the “Print” version there is a problem with the multiplier not being applied, and this can ruin the recipe: When one changes the number of jars, the numbers of grams and cups change, but the second measurements (oz, litres, and kg) do not change. No matter what the quantity of lemons, it always needs 1.5 litres of water and 1.8 kg of sugar! Please check. That may be why mine failed to set. Or maybe I over-boiled.
Hi Rick, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, and I am sorry to hear you didn’t have success with your marmalade. Yes, if you over-boiled the marmalade, that is a reason why it would not set as over-boiling destroys the pectin. We have notes in the recipe about how to test for setting point. As we mention, you can use the “wrinkle test” or a thermometer. Just a note also that your marmalade will look very liquidy when put into jars – it can take 24-48 hours to completely cool and set. In general, we don’t recommend changing the quantities of our recipes as they have been tested for success and changing the quantities can alter the result. Thank you for bringing our attention to the print screen. We have ensured this feature is switched off. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further queries. Kind regards, Alex
Came out amasing. So easy!!!
Hi Wendy, I am so pleased that you are happy with the Lemon Marmalade. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
Makes a lovely lemon marmalade, very similar to Tiptree. I always use organic sugar and my lemons are homegrown so I have a mix of riper ones and slightly less ripe to make sure my pectin level is good. Definitely use the trick with the pips in cheese cloth! We are almost through the first batch after a couple of months!
Hi Sharon, thank you so much for your feedback on the Lemon Marmalade. I am so pleased that you enjoy it – we go through it quickly too! 🙂
haveyou ever replaced the sugar with coconut sugaar or rice malt syrup for this recipe?
Hello Kaljit, I have not tried making marmalade with an alternative sweetener so I can’t advise you. There is a lot of science involved and sugar is an important factor in getting the marmalade to set and making it shelf-stable. If you would prefer to use other sweeteners, I would recommend that you look for recipes that specifically use them. I hope this helps. Kind regards, Alex 🙂
I have been gifted some beautiful organic Meyer lemons and would love to try making your marmalade. Just wondering if I can use raw sugar?
Hi Susan, this is a very old family recipe, handed down from my great-great-grandmother and I have only used regular sugar so I am not certain how raw sugar would work. As well, Meyer Lemons are less acidic than regular lemons and would need less sugar. It may be best to look for a recipe specifically for Meyer Lemons but unfortunately I am not able to advise you re raw sugar. I hope this helps. Kind regards, Alex. 🙂
I made this recipe recently, and it was such a success that I’ve just made a second batch. They’ll make wonderful gifts! Thank you for this easy recipe.
Hi Julianne,
That is great to hear – thank you for taking the time to let me know!
Kind regards, Alex
Hi Alexandra love not made marmalade before but lm willing to try, can l use Oranges and lemons together, your expertise would be great to know many thanks.
Hi Franca, you could use a combination of fruits. We have a recipe, which we have not yet posted, for orange marmalade. It uses the same amount of fruit and water plus some lemon to aid with setting. As oranges are sweeter, the sugar in that recipe is 1 kg. If you use a mixture, depending on the quantities, you would need to adjust the sugar. I hope this helps. Kind regards, Alex 🙂
If I’m using my homegrown Meyer lemons that are not very sour at all, would I reduce the sugar quantity? Would love to try making this marmalade to use up a good crop of lemons but a little hesitant as it’s my first time attempt at any jam or marmalade.
Hi Maria, as this is your first attempt, it may be best to look for a recipe specifically for Meyer Lemon Marmalade. You are correct, you would need less sugar but I can’t advise what amount that would be. We are currently developing a recipe for Meyer Lemons and will eventually have that on the blog, but in the meantime, you will want to use those beautiful homegrown lemons. A quick Google search will bring up several for you. I hope this helps. Kind regards, Alex 🙂
Hi Alex,
When the marmalade had been put in the jars, do the jars have to be boiled? I keep seeing recipes that require water-bath canning.
Thanks
Hi M,
No, for our recipe it is not necessary for the jars to be boiled. When cooked to the setting point and poured into sterilised jars the marmalade will be shelf-stable for at least 12 months. I do, however, store a jar in the refrigerator after it has been opened. Enjoy your marmalade, and feel free to reach out with any queries! Kind regards, Alex