Gluten Free Orange Marmalade
Bright, bittersweet, and deeply aromatic, this homemade marmalade captures everything that makes citrus preserves so irresistible — glossy amber color, tender peel strips, and that perfect balance of sweet and tangy in every spoonful. The entire recipe relies on just four ingredients: fresh oranges, lemons, water, and sugar, making it naturally free from gluten without any substitutions or workarounds required. Store-bought jams and preserves can be surprisingly tricky territory, with shared production lines and unexpected additives, so making your own from scratch puts you completely in control of what goes into the jar. The technique here is genuinely satisfying to execute — the cheesecloth bundle extracts natural pectin from the pith, so there's no need for commercial pectin packets that might introduce questionable fillers. A candy thermometer and the classic frozen-plate wrinkle test take the guesswork out of hitting the set point, giving you consistent results even if this is your first batch of preserves. Once sealed, these jars make beautiful pantry staples or thoughtful homemade gifts that anyone at the table can enjoy without hesitation.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
48 servings
- 2 lbs navel or seville oranges (about 4 medium), scrubbed
- 2 lemons, scrubbed
- 8 cups water
- 6 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- 1
Halve all the oranges and lemons. Squeeze the juice from each half into a large heavy-bottomed pot (at least 8-quart), catching the seeds and any loose pulp in a fine-mesh strainer set over the pot. Transfer the seeds and strained pulp to a double layer of cheesecloth; set the squeezed halves aside.
- 2
Using a spoon, scrape the white pith and any remaining pulp from the inside of each squeezed orange and lemon half and add it to the cheesecloth bundle — this pith is rich in natural pectin and is essential for the set. Tie the cheesecloth into a secure bundle with kitchen twine, leaving a long tail to tie to the pot handle.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!