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Lemon Lime Marmalade

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This Lemon Lime Marmalade recipe is easy to make and keeps for up to a year!  Deliciously versatile, you can add it to cakes, muffins, cupcakes, as a filling for pastries, a glaze for meats and veggies, and so much more!

Use this marmalade to make our Lemon Lime Zucchini Cake, spread it on our homemade Crumpets or Sourdough English Muffins, or swirl some of it into our homemade Greek Yogurt!

lemon lime marmalade recipe best homemade traditional

Lemon lime marmalade is fabulous but it’s difficult to find in stores.  And when you do it’s generally a little pricey.  So why not make your own?  It’s not only cheaper, it’s tastes SO MUCH better too!

The question on your lips may be, “And why would I even want to make lemon lime marmalade?”  Well, if you’re a citrus nut like me, this is right up your alley.  It’s like citrus on steroids.  And because there are so many great ways to use it beyond merely spreading it on toast (which is good, of course, but requires no imagination).

How to Use Lemon Lime Marmalade

  • Spread on toast
  • As a filling for cake or cupcakes
  • As a glaze for cookies
  • Baked into scones
  • Swirl some into yogurt
  • As a crepe filling
  • Serve with cheese on a platter with crostini or crackers
  • Stir into cream cheese frosting
  • As an alternative filling for cinnamon rolls
  • A marinade for meat, poultry or fish
  • Added to your sweet and sour meatballs
  • Add to vinaigrettes for spinach or arugula
  • As a glaze for carrots

Few things rival the wonderful flavor of lemon and lime and those are just a few ways you can put this fabulous homemade Lemon Lime Marmalade to use.

lemon lime marmalade recipe best homemade traditional

Lemon Lime Marmalade Recipe

Let’s get started!

A note about the citrus rinds:  You can use the lime rind whole but the white pith of the lemon is very bitter.  You can use it as well, but just a heads up.  If you prefer it less bitter, remove the white pith of the lemon and only use the outer yellow part.  For the demo pictures below I have left the white pith intact.

Also, citrus is sprayed and waxed and since we’re using the rinds I recommend using organic lemons and limes.

fresh lemons and limes

Cut off the very ends of the lemons and limes.  Very thinly slice the lemons and limes.  The easiest way to do this – and to do it quickly – is to use a mandoline slicer.  Remove any seeds.

slicing lemons and limes on a mandoline

Quarter the slices.

quartering the slices

Add the citrus to a medium-sized pot with the water and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a steady simmer and simmer for one our until the citrus is very soft.  Give it an occasional stir.

simmering the slices

Add the sugar and return to a full boil.  Reduce to a steady simmer and simmer for another 20-30 minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 220-225 degrees F.  Using a candy thermometer will ensure proper results and makes the job easier, plus they’re relatively inexpensive.  I highly recommend buying a candy thermometer.

adding the sugar

If you’d rather not get a candy thermometer you can use the “plate test.”  Simply place a plate in the freezer for a few minutes and then place a dab of marmalade on the cold plate.  Tilt the plate to see if the marmalade is set.  If it’s too runny, it’s not ready – continue simmering.  If it congeals into a soft gel and only moves just a little, it’s ready.

plate test to check for doneness

Let the marmalade sit for 2-3 minutes, then skim the foam off the top of the marmalade and discard.  Letting it sit will evenly distribute the citrus pieces so they don’t float to the top when you place the mixture in your jars.

lemon lime marmalade recipe best homemade traditional

Pour the marmalade into hot, sterilized jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace from the top.  To be extra safe, process the jars in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes.  Keep the marmalade stored in a cool, dark place.  It will keep for at least one year.

ladling it into sterilized jars

Enjoy!

lemon lime marmalade recipe best homemade traditional

For more homemade jams and jellies try our:

lemon lime marmalade recipe best homemade traditional

Lemon Lime Marmalade

Deliciously versatile, spread it on toast, add it to cakes, muffins, cupcakes, as a filling for pastries, a glaze for meats and veggies, and so much more!
4.92 from 37 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course condiment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lemons , thoroughly washed
  • 1 pound limes , thoroughly washed
  • 6 cups water
  • 7 cups white granulated sugar

Instructions
 

  • Cut off the very ends of the lemons and limes. Very thinly slice the lemons and limes. The easiest way to do this - and to do it quickly - is to use a mandoline slicer. Quarter the slices. Remove any seeds.
  • Add the citrus to a medium-sized pot with the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a steady simmer and simmer for one our until the citrus is very soft. Give it an occasional stir.
    Add the sugar and return to a full boil. Reduce to a steady simmer and simmer for another 20-30 minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 220-225 degrees F.
    If you'd rather not get a candy thermometer you can use the "plate test." Simply place a plate in the freezer for a few minutes and then place a dab of marmalade on the cold plate. Tilt the plate to see if the marmalade is set. If it's too runny, it's not ready - continue simmering. If it congeals into a soft gel and only moves just a little, it's ready.
    Let the marmalade sit for 2-3 minutes, then skim the foam off the top of the marmalade and discard. Letting it sit will evenly distribute the citrus pieces so they don't float to the top when you place the mixture in your jars.
  • Pour the marmalade into hot, sterilized jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace from the top. You can either store your jars in the fridge for up to a few months or you can store them even longer by canning them. To can them, process them for 5 minutes in a water bath canner. Carefully remove and let sit undisturbed until fully cooled. Keep the marmalade stored in a cool, dark place. It will keep for at least one year.
    This makes 4-5 half pints.

Notes

*A note about the rinds. You can use the lime rind whole but the white pith of the lemon is very bitter. You can use it as well, but just a heads up. If you prefer it less bitter, remove the white pith of the lemon and only use the outer yellow part. For the demo pictures below I have left the white pith intact.
*Also, citrus is sprayed and waxed and since we're using the rinds I recommend using organic lemons and limes.
Keyword Lemon Lime Marmalade, Marmalade
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet July 15, 2015

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

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Recipe Rating




4.92 from 37 votes (11 ratings without comment)

116 Comments

  1. I too am diabetic. We use 50/50 Fructose and Xylitol; Erythritol crystallises out after a while, giving you crunchy marmalade – not ideal. The Fructose does the setting job, although it all takes a little longer so we tend to drop in a little pectin.

  2. Hi, can you tell me approximately how many limes or how many cups of fruit this is equal to? I don’t have a scale. Thanks

  3. You can use Stevia to make marmalade if you also use Jamsetta, I also use the sugar that is made for jam, both available at Coles Supermarkets in Australia.

      1. One note for you: to can safely, you have to process your jars for at least 10 minutes in a boiling water — adding extra minutes if you live at higher altitudes above sea level. You might want to adjust that part of the recipe recommendations.

  4. Our lemon and lime trees are producing lots of fruit. Very happy to have a recipe easy to follow and jam that sets all by itself! It was well worth the wait! The taste is fantastic. And so say my friends!
    Thanks so much!!

  5. Thanks for the recipe whichbi’m very keen to try. If I don’t want to retain the bitter pith, should I peel the rind first, slice off the path, slice and quarter the fruit as per your instructions, and then finely slice the peeled rind? Thanks in advance

    1. Tim: Note that US granulated sugar really varies, and can be much closer to British caster sugar, so the weight conversion may not be completely accurate, but probably close enough. I wish US recipes specified weight, not cups.

  6. I use a very old recipe for marmalade which turns out quite dark and delicious but takes a while to make. Your recipe for lemon and lime is so relatively quick and also delicious. This is the Ecco day year of making it. Think I might try an orange marmalade using the same technique!
    Thank you!

  7. Being diabetic but loving marmalade Ia was disppointed to see that stevia would not replace sugar. What would you suggest as an alternative. I keep away from chemical additives. Thank you.

    1. I’m diabetic so I’m going to use erythritol I’m going to see how it sets and add Gelatine if necessary

  8. Hi there. I search a number of grocery outlets and finally found a bottle of lime marmalade. I was shocked at the price but bought one anyway as a stocking stuffer. When I got home I searched YouTube and and saw your recipe. I am eager to try it. I read a few of the responses and all were positive for taste, ease of making and inexpensive. What size canning jars would you suggest? Would mason jars be ideal?

    1. Hi Eric, for marmalade I usually use half pint jars but you can use pints as well. I use either Ball or Kerr mason jars with canning lids. You don’t have to use “canning” jars and lids though if you plan on storing the marmalade in your fridge and using it up within a few months.

  9. Organic fruit is so costly, maybe recommend this tip for your home chefs. Bathe the citrus fruit in not quite hot water with white vinegar. If you want to, you can always rinse and dry the fruit before zesting (Lemons) The water/vinegar combo will remove any wax that might taint the flavor

  10. Made this marmalade with only limes as it is my wife’s favourite. I quartered them length wise and then hand sliced worked well. I also reduced the sugar by one cup, we like it tart. Followed the directions in the recipe and it set beautifully. At our altitude of 3300 feet, boiled to 215F. Actual times in the recipe are fairly close.

    My wife said this is much better than the expensive English commercial variety. I got nearly 8 half pints for the cost less than one store bought jar.

  11. Newbie here too… if I use only limes..can I use bottled lemon juice for the water..or half of the water?? Thank you.

  12. I’d ordered some Scottish lemon/lime marmalade recently and loved it, so when I saw your recipe my ears perked up, as it were. I made this recipe the other day and it worked out nicely. To conserve (my) energy, I used two electric appliances-a food processor and an instant pot.-and a candy thermometer, which made the whole process very easy. I quartered the washed fruit lengthwise before slicing and from each wedge, I cut off that little strip of the white center core. Then I could use the back of my knife to wiggle out the seeds. I found all but two seeds – not bad! I set up my slicing blade on the food processor and packed the quarters on end into the top loader. It took no time at all to get a good load of thinly sliced fruit, with all the juice retained. I’d looked up how to make marmalade in an instant pot and used those directions (basically, pressure cook the fruit, juice, and water, let decompress, then add the sugar, set for “saute” and cook the marmalade). It canned easily in 1-cup jars with a hot water bath, and now I have eight little jars of citrus loveliness that taste wonderful, with that great range of sweet/tart/bitter I love in good marmalade. It’s clear and has a pretty honey amber color. I’ll definitely do this again. Thanks for an excellent recipe!