Fresh Fig Jam
Even if you’ve never made jam before, this easy 4-ingredient recipe is totally doable.
Makesabout 3 cups
Prep15 minutes
Cook50 minutes to 1 hour
I’m a sucker for any fancy jam — especially fig jam, which has a way of making everything from basic toast to charcuterie boards feel extra special. So as soon as fresh figs show up at the market, I’m quick to grab a few baskets so I can make my own jam. It requires just four ingredients and is easy to make. Even if you’ve never made jam before, this is totally doable.
Ingredients You Need for Fig Jam
- Fresh figs. You’ll need two pounds of fresh brown or black figs. Dicing the figs first helps them cook down faster.
- Lemon juice. It’s important to add a couple tablespoons of lemon juice when making jam (especially if you’re not using pectin) because it helps the jam set.
- Granulated sugar. This is a crucial ingredient in helping the jam gel. If too little is used, the jam won’t set well. Plus, sugar also works as a natural preservative and allows the jam to keep in the refrigerator for weeks.
- Vanilla extract. Figs and vanilla pair together nicely. To maximize its flavor, wait until the jam comes off the heat before stirring it in.
Why Fresh Figs Are Great for Making Jam
When making fig jam, go for fresh figs over dried ones. Unlike dried figs, which first need to soak in boiling water to soften, fresh figs can be added right to a saucepan with sugar and lemon juice and brought to a simmer. The result is a fruit-studded jam with extremely soft, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth fresh figs.
How to Store Fig Jam
This recipe for fresh fig jam will keep for about two weeks in the fridge or up to a month in the freezer (just defrost overnight in the refrigerator before using). To make your jam shelf-stable, take a read through our detailed guide to easy water-bath canning.
How to Serve Fig Jam
There are so many ways to use fig jam — especially because it works well with both sweet and savory foods. After you get your fill spreading it on toast, here are some of our other favorite ways to use it.
- Top on oatmeal.
- Mix into overnight oats (use in place of the maple syrup).
- Serve on pancakes, waffles, and French toast.
- Add to a charcuterie board.
- Spread on gougères.
- Dollop on crostini.
- Spoon onto thumbprint cookies.
- Top on cream cheese breakfast pastries.
- Make DIY fruit on the bottom yogurt cups.
- Spread on sandwiches (it’s especially great with cured meat, turkey, and cheese).
Fresh Fig Jam Recipe
Even if you’ve never made jam before, this easy 4-ingredient recipe is totally doable.
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 50 minutes to 1 hour
Makes about 3 cups
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 pounds
ripe fresh brown or black figs
- 1
medium lemon
- 2 cups
granulated sugar
- 1
pinch kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the following, placing each in a large nonreactive saucepan as you complete it: Trim and dice 2 pounds fresh figs. Juice 1 medium lemon until you have 2 tablespoons. Add 2 cups granulated sugar and 1 pinch kosher salt and stir to combine.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar and gently mashing the fruit with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 40 to 50 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and stir to combine.
Transfer to glass jars and let cool completely. Seal the jars and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen.