--- title: "Homemade Orange Marmalade — Easy Mermelada de Naranja Recipe" description: "Versión en Español. Homemade orange marmalade, or mermelada de naranjas, is made by cooking chopped peeled oranges with half their weight in sugar, blanched and finely chopped peel, and an optional ci..." url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-orange-marmalade-mermelada-de-naranja-recipe/ date: 2026-10-05 modified: 2026-10-05 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/homemade-orange-marmalade-mermelada-de-naranja-featured.jpg categories: ["Sauces"] type: post lang: en --- # Homemade Orange Marmalade — Easy Mermelada de Naranja Recipe [Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-mermelada-de-naranjas-casera/) ![Homemade orange marmalade in a glass jar with fresh oranges](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/homemade-orange-marmalade-mermelada-de-naranja-featured.jpg)*Homemade orange marmalade* Homemade orange marmalade, or mermelada de naranjas, is made by cooking chopped peeled oranges with half their weight in sugar, blanched and finely chopped peel, and an optional cinnamon stick, until thick, then sealing it in sterilized jars. It takes 20 minutes of preparation and about 50 minutes of cooking, and makes 12 servings. Made in season, when oranges are at their sweetest, it needs less sugar and captures the fresh, bittersweet flavor of the fruit. ## How to Make Orange Marmalade? Use fresh oranges with healthy peel, since part of it goes into the marmalade after being blanched to remove bitterness. The fruit is peeled and chopped, weighed to measure half its weight in sugar, then cooked with the sugar and chopped peel, first stirring, then resting, and finally stirring constantly until set. ## Nutritional Information Each serving of orange marmalade contains approximately 180 kcal, 0.6 g of protein, 0.2 g of fat, 45 g of carbohydrates, 40 g of sugars, and 2 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes. ## Homemade Orange Marmalade Recipe **Preparation:** 20 minutes **Cooking:** 50 minutes **Servings:** 12 ### Ingredients - 6 large oranges - 400 g (2 cups) of sugar, about half the weight of the peeled fruit - 1 cinnamon stick (optional) ### Instructions 1. Wash and scrub the oranges in cold water. Peel off the outer skin without the white pith and set it aside, then peel the oranges again to remove the white pith. Weigh the peeled fruit and measure half its weight in sugar. ![Fresh oranges for homemade orange marmalade](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/fresh-oranges-orange-marmalade.jpg)*Fresh Oranges* 1. Bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the peel of one or two oranges, and cook for 5 minutes. Lift it out with a slotted spoon, plunge into cold water, and chop finely. Cut the oranges into medium pieces over a pot, catching all the juice. ![Granulated sugar for cooking orange marmalade](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sugar-orange-marmalade.jpg)*Sugar* 1. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved, add the chopped peel, and heat over medium high heat. If you like, add the cinnamon stick, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and cook for 20 minutes. Remove the cinnamon, cook for 15 more minutes without stirring, then another 15 minutes stirring constantly until it reaches the texture you want. 2. To check if it is ready, put a teaspoon on a cold plate and run a line through the middle. It is done when the two halves stay slightly apart. ![Sterilizing glass jars for homemade orange marmalade](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sterilizing-jars-orange-marmalade.jpg)*Sterilized Jars* 1. Pour the marmalade into sterilized glass jars, close them right away, and turn them upside down. Let cool at room temperature for 24 hours and store in the pantry for up to a year. Once opened, keep refrigerated. ## Additional Tips ### Remove the bitterness Blanching the peel for 5 minutes and cooling it in iced water is key. Repeat up to three times if your oranges are very bitter. ### Mix in bitter oranges For a more intense marmalade, use one or two Seville oranges with the sweet ones. They add flavor and natural pectin for a better set. ### Use a thermometer Besides the plate test, a kitchen thermometer helps. Marmalade sets at about 104 to 105°C (219 to 221°F). | Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | White sugar | Half sugar plus honey | 200 g + 1 tablespoon | Less sweet, shorter shelf life | | Sweet oranges | Half bitter oranges | 3 + 3 | More classic, more pectin | | Cinnamon | Vanilla bean | ½ bean | Rounder aroma | | Oranges only | Add lemon | 1 lemon | Brighter, sets better | ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ### 1. Can I reduce the sugar? Sugar is a natural preservative, so with less than half the fruit’s weight the marmalade keeps only about a month in the fridge. ### 2. How do I remove the bitterness from the peel? Blanch it for 5 minutes and cool it in iced water, repeating up to three times if needed. You can also soak the peel in water with a teaspoon of baking soda per liter for an hour first. ### 3. Which oranges work best? Navel or Valencia oranges are ideal for their sweetness and few seeds. Adding one or two bitter oranges gives more flavor and natural pectin. ### 4. How do I know it has set? Besides the cold plate test, the marmalade should fall from a wooden spoon slowly in sheets. With a thermometer, it sets at 104 to 105°C (219 to 221°F). ## What Does Marmalade Mean? An unlikely legend says the word comes from the French Marie est malade, Mary is sick, after the cook of Mary Queen of Scots gave her oranges with honey. In fact, the word comes from the Portuguese marmelada, a quince paste. ## Benefits of Oranges Oranges provide a high dose of vitamin C, which supports the immune system, and dietary fiber that helps keep the digestive system healthy. ## Did You Know? Oranges originated in Southeast Asia, in the region of today’s southern China and India, and spread to Europe and later to the Americas through trade. ## Recommended - [Chilean Plum Jam Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-homemade-plum-jam-mermelada-de-ciruelas-recipe/) - [Homemade Fig Jam Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-fig-jam-mermelada-de-higos-recipe/) - [Chilean Orange Sponge Cake Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-orange-sponge-cake-queque-de-naranja-recipe/) - [Homemade Triple Sec Orange Liqueur Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-triple-sec-orange-liqueur-recipe/)