I’m always looking for unusual combinations in jams or preserves and this strawberry and grapefruit marmalade recipe is the mother-lode. Spring is the perfect time to combine these fruits that you normally don’t see together. Grapefruit is usually at its peak in mid to late winter around here and the best deals for strawberries are in the spring. But right now I’m finding the juiciest, full-flavor red grapefruit crop and it’s April! So, here we are with this match-made-in-heaven of a marmalade!

I will tell you that if you’ve never made jam before, this is not the recipe I would necessarily start out with as an easy dump and stir experiment. But if it’s maybe your second time? Not difficult, but just needs a few extra steps. Well worth the extra time, for sure. This marmalade is both tart and sweet. And can you believe the color! You might just want to eat it with a spoon. Delicious on buttermilk biscuits, too.

This recipe will give instructions for the inversion-method of preserving jam in canning jars so they can last on your shelf for up to 12 months. You could certainly make them into freezer marmalade, but if you haven’t tried the inversion-method, give it a try. I have NEVER (knock on wood) had my jam not seal with this method and they have never gone bad. Just follow instructions and do not alter ingredient amounts. I always make my jams with Sure-Jell Low Sugar pectin in the pink box. I don’t use artificial sweeteners as they are less healthy than sugar. But I’m convinced one of the reasons my jams and preserves are a big hit with family and friends is because the low sugar version lends more fruit flavor and still plenty of sweetness. You just won’t get as many jars of finished product.

So, let’s dive in:

Pin Print Recipe Strawberry and Grapefruit Marmalade Use ripe fruit but not over-ripe. This recipe is for cooked jam using the inversion method of sealing the jars. Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 40 minutes Total Time 55 minutes Servings 8 pint jars Author Good Dinner Mom Ingredients 1x 2x 3x 4 - 5 large ruby red grapefruit

4 pints strawberries

1 lemon

1 teaspoon butter

1 box low sugar Sure-Jell Pectin Pink Box

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

4 cups sugar Instructions First prepare the fruit:

Using a vegetable peeler, remove only colored part of peel from grapefruit; chop and set aside. Peel and discard white part of peel from fruit. Section out the pulp, save any juice with the fruit and remove any seeds. Clean and chop the strawberries into large 1" chunks (they will break-up more in cooking).

Prepare jars and lids:

Prepare 8 1-pint mason jars; wash in very hot water or in dishwasher. Place lid-caps (portion with the rubber seal) in a pan of water and bring to boil. Reduce heat and keep hot until ready to use.

Prepping grapefruit and peels:

Place grapefruit peels, 2 1/2 cups water and 1/8 teaspoon baking soda in saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring only occasionally. Add grapefruit and juice; simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and combine with cut strawberries until you have 5 1/2 cups fruit with juice. Ratio of strawberries to grapefruit doesn't matter. Almost 1:1. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into mixture.

Prepare the pectin and sugar:

Measure 4 cups sugar into a medium bowl. (Do not reduce sugar). Mix 1/4 cup sugar from measured amount and 1 box Sure-Jell For Less or No Sugar Needed Fruit Pectin in small bowl.

Cooking the fruit for jam:

Place large stock pot (the deeper, the better) on stove. Add the 5 1/2 cups fruit to the pot. Stir in the pectin with the 1/4 cup sugar into fruit mixture and add 1 teaspoon butter to reduce foaming, if desired.

Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly.

Stir in remaining sugar quickly. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Quickly, place jars on protected surface on counter. With a large funnel to help prevent spilling, fill all mason jars with the boiling fruit mixture. Fill to 1/4" to 1/8" from top of lid. With wet rag or paper towel, wipe off any jam that may have spilled onto top of lid where sill will touch.

Place hot ring lids onto jars and then add lid bands. Tighten until you feel resistance and then give it just a bit more tightening so they are tight, but not overly tightened.

Immediately turn jars upside down. Remain that way for 5 full minutes, then revert jars back to correct standing position. Jars should seal over next 30-40 minutes or so.

If any jars don't seal, place in fridge and use within month. Otherwise, sealed jars are good for up to 12 months.

Making jam is so rewarding! And Strawberry Grapefruit Marmalade is so beautiful.

Not to mention delicious. I get many compliments on this marmalade. I think you will, too.

Adapted from Café Sucre Farine and from different recipes I’ve tried and experimented with over the years.