Fig Preserves

Savor the natural honey-like sweetness and rich fig flavor with this super easy Fig Preserves recipe that’s made with just a few ingredients. And, you don’t even have to wait for fresh fig season to make this fig jam; it’s made with dried figs, making it something you can make year-round.

Fig preserves are a great addition to a cheese platter, add some to a grilled cheese sandwich for a fancy twist, or use them in all kinds of appetizers.

The recipe I’ve shared with you makes a lovely lightly sweet fig jam that’s made with dried figs and fresh oranges. Figs make a marvelous jam because when they’re cooked down, their flavor and sweetness intensifies.

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Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

Dried fig preserves

This fig jam is made with dried figs for a couple of reasons.

First, it’s December, and fresh figs are not readily available. With dried figs you can make these preserves any time of year, and not just during the short fig season of June through October.

Using dried figs also cuts down on the cooking time for the spread. Since they’re already concentrated, and their water has been dried out, these take practically no time at all to turn into jam.

Dried figs are shelf stable, so you can keep a nice supply of them in your pantry and ready to go if you want to make more of this jam.

What type of figs should I use?

Figs, whether fresh or dried, are good for you. They’re full of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, they’re high in fiber.

The most common varieties of figs that you’ll find at the store are Black Mission, Calimyrna, and Smyrna or Turkish figs.

I used Mission Figs, which have a beautiful dark color with a nicely balanced jammy fruity slightly acidic flavor.  

But, in reality, any variety of dried fig can be used here. There will be slight variations in sweetness, color, and flavor depending on which variety of fig you use. Want to learn a bit more about different kinds of figs, hop over to this guide for fig varieties.

Homemade gifts

This Fig Jam Made with Dried Figs makes a delightful and easy homemade gift.

Just put the jam in a pretty jar with a nice ribbon, and you’re all set. You can even pair your homemade jam with some crackers and a nice cheese.

It makes a fantastic hostess gift when paired with a nice bottle of wine too.

If you give this as a gift, be sure to tell the recipient that it needs be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Holiday appetizers

This is the perfect place to start when thinking about holiday appetizers.

Make a batch of these preserves and you’ll be on your way to some great eats. You can even freeze the preserves now for easy entertaining later.

How should I use this jam?

The easiest way to start getting to know this jam is by adding a small jar to a cheese board or charcuterie board. Check out my post for more tips on making a wonderful cheese party.

I think it’s fantastic in appetizers! The lightly sweet and savory fig shines in Blue Cheese with fig preserves and candied pecans or Blue Cheese, Fig, and Caramelized Onion Palmiers.

Use it as a filling in cookies like Yugoslavian Christmas Cookies, Rugelach, or Thumbprint cookies.

Serve it with your breakfast toast, and maybe some peanut butter.

Take a block of cream cheese and spread the jam over the top. Serve with crackers or toasts for a super easy appetizer.

Crostini take to all kinds of toppings with this jam. Try it with soft creamy goat cheese or brie, and a drizzle of honey.

Speaking of brie, warm up a round of brie and top it with fig jam.

Smear some jam onto a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s especially good with some nice aged cheeses.

Top your morning yogurt with some.

It’s a delicious topping for pizza.

Make a vinaigrette with it. Or simply dollop a little on your salad.

Pro tips for making these preserves

This condiment is so easy to make. Just some chopping and a little stirring while cooking.

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for full ingredient amounts and instructions.

Chop the figs into smaller pieces, then add the chopped figs to a large pot with the remaining ingredients.

Use a large pan to simmer the jam because as it simmers little bits will often splash out of the pan.

After the mixture has cooked for 10 minutes, use an immersion blender or food processor to pulse the mixture to a finer texture.

Cook the pureed mixture for another 5-10 minutes until it reaches the desired thickness. Keep in mind, it will thicken as it cools.

But, the good news is that if it’s too thick after it cools, just add a little water to thin it.

This recipe is easily doubled so you can make extra for gift giving, or to freeze for a later date. You may need to increase the cooking time a bit.

Can I can this jam?

This is a quick jam, intended for storage in the refrigerator or freezer, not the pantry.

In addition, it’s fairly low in sugar, so I would question if it’s safe to can. I’m not sure the pH would be right.

I typically don’t can things, preferring them to just be used fairly quickly or frozen for later use.  If you’d like to can this, be sure to follow all safe handling practices. Please check out the instructions from the USDA’s National Center for Home Food Preservation or the official site from the makers of Ball jars.

I do, however, recommend freezing the jam for longer storage.

How to Freeze Jam

Freezing jam allows you to enjoy this spread all year long.

When frozen properly, jam should keep fresh for up to 12 months. But I do recommend consuming it within six months or less for best taste. Foods that are kept in the freezer for too long can lose their flavor and pick up off-flavors from other items in the freezer. In addition, the consistency may turn watery.

The best way to freeze this jam is to allow it to cool completely. Then transfer it to a thick, sturdy glass jar or rigid, freezer-safe plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Be sure to leave about ½ – inch of space from the top to allow the jam room to expand as it freezes

How to Defrost Frozen Jam?

The best way to defrost frozen jam is to transfer the container from the freezer to the refrigerator and leave it overnight to thaw.

If you forgot to take the jam out of the freezer the night before, don’t worry. You can submerge the frozen jar of jam in warm water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You may need to place a heavy plate on top of the jam to keep it under the water.

Don’t refreeze the jam once it has been defrosted.

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Dried Fig Preserves Recipe