Figs really are like nature’s candy. They range in color from dark purple, almost black, to light yellow-green; their flavor spans from sugary sweet to rich like honey, and fruity like berries. When the end of summer rolls around and the markets are bursting with fresh, jammy figs, it’s time to turn the bounty into a pot of bubbling homemade jam. The naturally sweet, textured fruit lasts only so long on the trees, but you can preserve the magic for a little longer by turning the fruit into jam. All you need are a few simple ingredients to create this sweet, spreadable treat—no additives or special techniques required.
How To Make Fig Jam
INGREDIENTS
- Figs: Like any simple jam, the central fruit is the star of the recipe, so it is important to find the best, freshest figs that you can find. Figs come in many different flavors and colors, but can be broken down basically into 3 flavor categories: berry, honey, and sugar. Any type of fig will work for this recipe, so choose your favorite.
- Granulated Sugar: The granulated sugar will add some extra sweetness to the jam and help to macerate the figs.
- Lemon Zest & Juice: The addition of lemon juice and zest not only enhances the flavor of the figs, but adds the additional pectin needed to make the jam the optimal, spreadable texture. Check out our guide on how to zest a lemon for all our best tips and tricks.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Making fig jam is very simple, but does require a fair amount of patience. Start the jam off by mixing together figs, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice and allowing the mixture to come up to a simmer, stirring constantly. Once it begins to simmer, cover the saucepan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow to sit simmering, stirring occasionally, for about 50 to 60 minutes until the mixture has thickened considerably.
Remove the jam from the heat and set aside to cool. Once it has cooled, transfer the jam to clean jars and allow to cool completely before adding the lids and popping the jam into the fridge.
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.
Recipe Tips
- Look for fresh figs. I suggest looking for ripe, fresh figs for this recipe, but if you can’t find them, dry figs will also work well. Just hydrate 2 cups quartered, dried figs in boiling water until plump, then drain and proceed with the recipe.
What To Serve With Fig Jam
Though fig jam makes a marvelous topping for traditional breakfasts like granola, it can also be used to add a hint of sweetness to more savory dishes. Use it to create a sweet sauce to drizzle over pork chops, mix it with a creamy cheese for an extra flavorful sandwich, or try it as a delectable addition to charcuterie boards. Alternatively, you can dollop it on fresh sourdough, tuck it into grilled cheese, or spread on your Monte Cristo. With a jar of fig jam, your sweet and savory options are endless.
Storage
While the lemon juice in this fig jam recipe serves as a preservative, without proper canning techniques, it won’t have that long of a shelf life. Keep your homemade fig jam fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
