This Easy Fig Jam Recipe is quick, simple, and delicious. If you have fresh figs, you need to make this. Fig Jam is amazing with cheese, on toast, in a dessert, and more!
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Why I Love This Recipe
I love this Fig Jam recipe because not only is it easy, but it has so much flavor, and can be used for so many things. This jam comes together in about an hour and a half and can be stored or frozen for later.
One of my favorite things on a cheese plate is fig jam. But, fig jam is kind of expensive. Making my own fig jam is less expensive and more impressive, in my opinion.
After I made this fig jam I realized I needed another way to use up all of this delicious jam before it went bad. Check out my recipe for Coconut Fig Crumble Bars, they are easy to make and quite tasty!
Ingredients for Fig Jam
This recipe only has 4 ingredients, figs, sugar, water, and lemon juice.
- Fresh Figs - the figs have to be fresh and ripe for this jam to turn out perfectly. You can use any type of fig you can find or like.
- Sugar - just plain white sugar will do for this recipe and will help sweeten the jam.
- Lemon Juice - I use fresh lemon juice when I make this recipe but you can also use the bottle kind in a pinch. If you do, add a little at a time since bottle lemon juice has added citric acid.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
What kind of figs to use
There are many different types of figs out there, the most common are Mission, Brown Turkey, and Calimyrna. I have a Calimyrna fig tree so those are the figs I used.
Calimyrna figs have a slightly lighter color and green skin so my jam is a little lighter than what you may be used to seeing. Don't worry, the flavor is ALL there!! Feel free to use whatever type of fig you can get.
How to Make Easy Fig Jam
Add the water and sugar to a saucepan and dissolve the sugar. After the sugar has dissolved, add the figs and lemon juice and bring the mixture to a boil.
Turn down the heat to simmer and place a lid on the saucepan with a small opening for steam. Every 20 minutes, stir the mixture and smash up the figs.
After 1 hour, remove from the heat and allow the jam to cool completely before serving or storing.
Will this Jam be Thick with No Pectin?
Yes! Figs have natural pectin in them and this jam will thicken up enough without any added pectin. However, this will not be the consistency of fig paste, which is another common accompaniment to cheese boards.
How Long Does Homemade Fig Jam Last?
This quick and easy fig jam will last about 2 weeks when stored in the fridge in a sealable container, like a mason jar. This recipe is meant to be quick, easy, and a small batch so the assumption is that it will not last longer than 2 weeks.
Can You Freeze Homemade Jam?
Yes, you can freeze this fig jam! The best way to freeze jam is to use thick, sturdy glass jars or stiff, freezer-safe plastic containers. As with most food you freeze, ensure the jam is at room temperature before placing it in the freezer.
Fill the containers/jars with jam, leaving ¾ of an inch at the top because the jam will expand. Fig jam will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you remove the jam and it has defrosted, it will last an additional week in the fridge.
What to Serve with Fig Jam
- Serve with a cheeseboard (my personal favorite)
- Put it on your morning toast
- Add it to oatmeal or yogurt
- Peanut butter and fig jam sandwich
If you get a chance to make this Easy Fig Jam Recipe, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Quick and Easy Homemade Fig Jam
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 2 cups fresh figs, rinsed and cut in half
Instructions
- Place water and sugar in a pan and cook on medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add figs and lemon juice and bring to a boil.
- Turn down the heat and simmer for about an hour with a lid mostly on. Take the time to stir and mash the mixture every once in a while. The figs will start to break down and the peels will start to break down.
- After an hour, remove from heat and allow to cool. Mashup any remaining chunks of fig. If there are still larger pieces of skin, you can give the jam a quick pulse in your food processor or blender. Place in a sealable glass jar and keep the jam into the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Video
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Jenise says
Easy peasy recipe.. thanks. I just made a batch with my fresh figs and added a lil almond extract. Alot less sugar. Not sure if I like it. Anyone else got adventurous?
Emily says
Thanks, Jenise, I love that you experimented with the recipe and I like the idea of adding some vanilla. I hope you find a combo you love!
KGirlNC says
Thanks SO much for this delicious recipe! We moved into a house with a huge turkey fig tree and I was determined to not waste what I harvested and the birds didn't 😆! I have never made any type of jam or canned anything so this I was apprehensive. Your recipe was the one I chose because of how easy you made it seem and am so glad. It turned out fantastic!
Emily says
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear, that's exactly why I created this recipe. Enjoy your new house with the fig tree😊
Linds says
I made this jam from my own fig trees and it was absolutely perfect and delicious! Perfect consistency and sugar amount The only change I made, was to add two T of dark rum! Very nice addition! Going to whip up several more batches!
Emily says
Adding rum sounds like such a good idea! I'm going to try that next time I make this jam. Thanks for sharing 😊
Carol says
The recipe looks delicious! Is it possible to can it? Don’t have a lot of room in my freezer. Thanks, Carol
Emily says
Hi Carol, I have not canned this recipe since it's a small batch recipe. However, I believe you could if you followed the proper canning techniques and followed all safety guidelines, etc. for canning. Enjoy!
Kathryn says
Hi Carol, did you try canning it? How did it work? I have two pounds of figs so am going to try a bigger batch and canning it
Nariman Ajluni says
I have a Brown Turkey tree in my yard. The skin is green only until the fruit ripens; then it turns purple. So when you say your brown turkey figs have a green skin, I can’t imagine you are making them into jam while green! Perhaps you have a different variety of fig?
Emily says
Hi Nariman, you are correct, I do have a different variety and after writing this post, I realized my nursery had mislabeled my tree!! I have a Calimyrna fig tree.
Wanda says
I have three fig trees (they make bushes in my part of the country), and the figs are full this year. I made this recipe, using what figs I had available, and reduced the amount of sugar, and the taste was great! This makes a great 'refrigerate' jam.
Emily says
Thanks for trying out the recipe Wanda, I'm so glad you liked it! Reducing the amount of sugar is a great idea and I'm happy to hear it turned out great.
Patricia Laundree says
I was just wondering if this could be adapted to use dried figs? That I have, fresh are harder to come by here. Thanks. 🙂 Recipe sounds awesome!
Patti
Emily says
Patti, I think you could use dried figs, although I haven't personally tried it. I would heat the ingredients for about 8 minutes or so, blend in a food processor, and then return to the heat for a few more minutes to make sure everything is blended and a jam consistency. Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear how it turns out!
sandee L schreiber says
I would like to make this a little spicy....what do you suggest?
Emily says
Hi Sandee! I have seen many recipes that call for 1-3 peppers added to a fig jam. Most of them blend the peppers in a food processor before cooking with figs and sugar. As I'm sure you know, the more seeds you include, the spicier the jam will be. For this recipe, I would blend 1 jalapeno, serrano, or habanero depending on which pepper you like. I would also start with half and see how spicy it is before adding the whole thing. While I have not tried this personally, I'm sure it would be delicious! Thanks fro checking out my recipe 😊
Anne Borenstein says
Haven't made this yet, but you get 5 stars for what appears to be a good jam recolipe with very clear instructions! I'll try this, for sure..
Have you ever tried fig jam, a slice of gruyere (or, if you like, muenster or havarti) and thinly sliced ham, wedged into a slim crusty baguette? Transporting!
Emily says
Thanks for checking out my recipe, Anne. It's one of my favorites and I hope you find a time to try it out. My favorite way to enjoy fig jam is with a salty brie on a crisp cracker. However, gruyere and ham will be on my next charcuterie board for sure. This sounds like an awesome combination, thanks for sharing.😊
Bobbie says
I’ve been looking for a jam recipe I can make ahead for the holidays! This looks amazing
Emily says
This is perfect for the holidays and would make a great gift!
Nanci says
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead?
Emily says
Yes, you can. Add a little at a time since it is stronger than fresh lemon juice.
Gabriela Herrera says
Oh my God I love fig jam with vegan cream cheese and crackers and with the holidays coming up this is the perfect recipe for a snack board
Emily says
Yes! That's exactly what I use this jam for more often than not. It pairs so well with a salty cheese and crackers. Enjoy!
Arica says
I've never had fig jam, but this looks and sounds absolutely delicious!
Emily says
You've gotta try it, it's so good with so many things!
Gwynn Galvin says
I love fig jam and am excited to make this homemade fig jam! Delicious!
Emily says
If you love fig jam, this will definitely be a game-changer for you. Enjoy!