Delicious and figgy, filled with all the flavors of your favorite fig cookies! This homemade fig jam recipe has hints of cinnamon, vanilla
Each bite will have you begging for more. Learn how to make fig jam with these easy, step by step directions.
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Why you'll love this recipe
This jam is sweet with a burst of honey-sweet fresh fruit flavor. It's perfect for scones or to fill your favorite fig cookies! I developed this, so even if you've never made jam before, you got this!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- fresh figs - that's about 2 pounds of fruit dried figs can be reconstituted with boiling water
- pure cane granulated sugar and brown sugar
- I prefer fresh lemon juice but you can use bottled lemon juice also.
- cinnamon, allspice, vanilla extract
- butter
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Rinse figs in cold water. Prepare the fruit by removing the step and chop, add to a large pot.
- Add the lemon, cinnamon, nutmeg
and butter to the pot. - Measure ¼ cup of the sugar and mix it with the pectin. Combine figs with the sugar and pectin, mix well and set it on the burner.
- Turn stove on high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- When it comes to a hard boil add the remaining sugar.
- Return it to a hard boil and boil one minute, remove from the heat.
- Immediately stir in the vanilla. Stir until it is completely incorporated, about a minute.
- Ladle into clean, sterilized jars.
- Clean the tops of the jars, add the lid and screw top. Screw the lid on tightly.
- Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes to seal. Remove from the hot water bath and place
on a heat-proof surface. - When you hear the jars pop and you'll know they are sealed!
What is a rolling boil?
What is a rolling boil? A rolling boil is one that you cannot stir down.
This is a common question for beginning canners, It's hard to describe what a "rolling boil" looks like, so instead I'll show you. Watch this quick video (only 14 seconds!)
Equipment
If you're a first time jam maker;
- This jam essentials kit includes everything you need from a canning funnel to labels for the jars.
- It doesn't include jars, lids or rings - these 8-ounce mason jars are what I use. They are simple, but pretty to give as gifts.
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for the canning items I recommend!
🙋♀️ FAQ's
The fruit is grows on a fig tree. There are several different varieties of figs. Here in the San Joaquin Valley we have Black Mission figs, Brown Turkey, Green Figs and Calimyrna figs, to name a few.
Before storing fresh figs, wash them well, dry and refrigerate. Plan on using or eating them within 2-3 days.
Yes, you can freeze fresh figs. Place on a small tray and pop them in the freezer. When they are completely frozen, put them in a ziplock bag and put back in the freezer. Freeze for up to a month. You can eat them right from the freezer, almost like a popsicle . They are delicious!
Actually, figs are really good for you! Packed with fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamins B and K - as far as fruits go, they are a winner!
The shelf life of this spread is 6 months to year. I say that roughly though, because those jars disappear quickly around here!
Fig season starts in early June. A second season starts August through June.
You can make jam without pectin but it will spoil quickly.
These low sugar fig preserves are a great way to enjoy the flavor all year long!
Tips
- Jam-making is part cooking and part science. Follow the recipe exactly!
- Do not change the amount of sugar the recipe calls for. It's easy to think you can add less sugar or more fruit and it won't matter. If you do, the jam may not set up correctly or it could mold and will have to be discarded!
- If this is your first time making jam, review the Jam Making Guide. It has all of the best tips and tricks to make the BEST preserves at home!
- This may go without saying, but just in case - use ripe fruit. Fruit at its peak of ripeness makes the best jam.
- Allow to cool completely to room temperature after canning.
Sealing and Storage
Sealed jars go to into the pantry. If a jar doesn't seal you have a couple of options:
- Remove the jar from the jars. Reprocess the jam, ladling it back into clean sterilized jars and again place in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
- Or simply refrigerate any jars that did not seal. They will last in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks.
As long as you clean the top of the jars with a wet paper towel prior to adding the lids, rarely have any jars not seal.
Serving suggestions
Like Pepper Jam - this easy fig jam recipe is very versatile! It goes well with sweet and savory dishes.
- Slather a bagel or a piece of toast with cream cheese and top it with jam, a perfect breakfast!
- Top your burgers with a slather of figs jam with Swiss cheese.
- Delicious on a grilled cheese sandwich.
- The shining star of your cheese board will be a crostini with a slice of blue cheese topped with fig jam and a drizzle of honey. Add some ripe figs as well!
- Every cheese plate benefits with a jar of jam! It's a delicious way to showcase the preserves!
- A wheel of brie topped with fig jam and baked is a quick appetizer - unbelievable!
- On your charcuterie board with toast points spread with goat cheese and topped with fig jam with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar is fabulous!
- This is a great recipe to glaze a holiday ham!
Related recipes
Still have some of those yummy fresh figs? Then here are three ways to enjoy them - look here for Fresh Figs Three Ways to find even more delicious fig recipes!
Homemade Jam is so much better than store-bought, there's really no comparison! I have several delicious jam recipes on the blog like this recipe for Strawberry Fig Preserves (everyone's favorite) and Orange Jelly - this jam is like a burst of sunshine!
Here are more easy recipes to make soon!
- Homemade Apricot Preserves - sweet tangy and delicious this is an easy recipe and perfect if you're a first-time jam maker!
- A little heat and a little sweet! With a pop of spice this sweet Pomegranate Jam Recipe is perfect for a PB&J!
- Low Sugar Strawberry Rhubarb Jam is an old fashioned jam with the BEST flavor - family favorite!
- This Peach Jam Recipe will have you wishing you were sittin' on a porch in the south! Sweet as a Georgia peach!
I hope you really enjoy this jam recipe. Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Fresh Fig Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 cups figs fresh figs
- 3`½ cups pure cane sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 sure-jell low sugar pectin - pink box
- ¼ cup lemon
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
Instructions
- Clean the figs, remove the stems - chop into ½ inch pieces. Add to a heavy bottom pot.
- Add the lemon, cinnamon, nugmeg and butter to the pot.
- Measure ¼ cup of the white sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it into the fig mixture and set it on the burner.
- Turn on high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- When it comes to a hard boil (one that you cannot stir down) add the remaining sugar - the white and brown sugar.
- Return it to a hard boil and boil exactly one minute.
- Remove from the heat. With hot pan holders on immediately stir in the vanilla. It may bubble and spit a bit! Continue to stir until it is completely incorporated, about a minute.
- Immediately ladle the hot jam into clean, sterilized glass mason jars.
- Using a paper towel clean the top of the jar off completely. Add the lid and screw top. Screw the lid on tightly.
- Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes to seal.Remove from the hot water bath and place on a heat-proof surface. You'll hear the jars pop and you'll know they are sealed
Notes
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Nutrition
Recipe backstory
Now in my experience, either you either like figs or not, I've never met anyone that falls in-between. I'm definitely a fig fan!
Fresh figs are heavenly! When transformed into homemade
We start seeing figs in late summer and early fall. And although you can pop whole figs right into the freezer (just wash them first), I love making them into jam to preserve the flavor all year long!
If you love fig newtons or mincemeat pie, let me tell you - this jam will WOW you! It has all the same flavors packed into an easy-to-make preserve!
All you need are fresh figs. They have a short shelf
Have I talked you into trying this yet? I hope so!
A few years back Dan and I wanted to take a spur of the moment fall vacation, but we wanted to do affordable. I kid you not, I went to the grocery store and grabbed:
- a
2 foot sub sandwich (that I sliced into 8 servings and wrapped individually) - bag of everything bagels and cream cheese
- water, wine and beer
When I packed the ice chest I tossed in a jar of fig jam from my buddy Michelle and off we went to explore the Eastern Sierras!
Breakfast was a bagel with a smear of cream cheese, topped with this amazing fig jam recipe. It was heavenly! Lunches were tucked in our backpacks and off we'd go to explore.
It's still one of my fondest vacation memories and hence, one of my favorite jam flavors!
Marion Barber says
I just tried this recipe and I absolutely love it. I added a few chopped English walnuts. I rarely give stars or replys, But if their were 10 stars I would give it. Again absolutely delicious!!!
Bowl Me Over says
How wonderful, thanks for sharing Marion! I really think figs are special and make the BEST homemade jam. If you have any leftover figs you can substitute them for the dried figs in this strawberry fig jam recipe! https://bowl-me-over.com/low-sugar-strawberry-jam/
Jeremy Rose says
Just tried this recipe because I wanted some fresh fig preserves/ jam with the figs off of my tree in the yard here in Huntsville, AL. I’ll say, the jam came out delicious. However, because of the spices involved, it came out tasting closer to apple butter instead of the southern fig preserves I’m used to. This is still a solid recipe, and will be definitely added to my recipe “book”.
Tina says
Can I use regular surejel?
Bowl Me Over says
I've never used regular surejell, but if you do increase the sugar to seven cups. Let me know how it turns out for you Tina, enjoy the jam!!
Jennifer A Stewart says
I love figs so much! I am making a double batch of this for sure!
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome, enjoy the jam!!
Nikki says
Amazing! This one will be on our Christmas morning menu, if it lasts that long!
Bowl Me Over says
Good chance it won't Nikki, might have to make a double batch! 😉
Erin Parker says
Fig jam is my jam! We love this recipe so much, and it takes me back to the days when we had a giant fig tree in our yard. Those were the days!
Bowl Me Over says
Yay!! I hope you love this recipe!!
Sandra Shaffer says
I didn’t realize there are several varieties of figs, but I do know how much I love them! This is getting me excited to make up a batch for the holidays. A jar of fig jam will be great gifts for the open houses we attend!
Bowl Me Over says
Mostly definitely, I hope you get a chance to make some jam!!
Lisa Hitzeman says
This would be perfect to make and give as Christmas gifts!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes it would, I think you might have a hard time giving it away though! 😀
kylee says
I love this fig jam!! It goes SO well with pretty much everything. A great addition to my appetizer boards.
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, that would be perfect!!!
Kathleen says
I love fig jam, so delicious on any number of crackers -- sweet and savory, delicious with cheese! Love this recipe, can't wait to try it!
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you really enjoy it Kathleen!