Figs are in season right now, so I thought I would share this delicious easy fresh fig jam recipe with you all! This jam is a great way to use them, requiring only four ingredients! Its consistency is quite chunky, making it a fantastic topping for greek yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream, spread on toast or alongside a cheese or charcuterie board. So give it a try and let me know what you think!

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Unlike other traditional jams, this fig jam is sweetened with honey rather than refined sugar. Because we use honey instead of sugar – a preservative – this jam will only keep in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Ingredients to use in this recipe

This easy fig jam requires just four ingredients:

• Fresh figs
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Honey, preferably local
• Pure vanilla extract

I wouldn’t worry too much about using raw honey for this recipe since it’s being cooked.

When choosing honey, opt for local honey as you’re supporting your local economy – and that’s something we should all do.

Which vanilla extract to choose?

There is no comparison between ‘imitation vanilla’ and pure vanilla extract. Buy the best pure vanilla extract you can afford; it really makes a difference in the flavor and aroma of the finished dish!

How to make this fresh fig jam?

This fresh fig jam is straightforward to make. However, you need to plan for some extra time the figs need to soak in the lemon juice.

Here is the step-by-step process:

First, remove stems from the figs and cut them into quarters.

In a large glass bowl (or another non-reactive bowl), combine the figs with the lemon juice and allow the figs to sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes.

Transfer the figs and lemon juice to a saucepan. Stir in the vanilla extract and honey, and set the stove to medium heat.

Cook for about 50-55 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the figs break down into a thick and slightly granular jam.

Remove from heat and transfer to a mason jar or another airtight glass container. The jam will thicken more as it cools.

Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes and Cooking Tips

When making any jam, you must use a non-reactive bowl, pan, and spoon. Opt for glass mixing bowls, storage containers, stainless steel pans, and stainless steel wooden or silicone utensils.

The ingredients in this jam are cooked down slowly, so you don’t need to add pectin to the recipe.

This recipe makes 8 oz t but can easily be doubled if required.

This recipe’s preparation and cook time are longer than standard jam making. You need to plan for around two hours for this recipe – 45 minutes of that time are for the figs and lemon juice to sit at room temperature before cooking.

Storage Tips

Sugar acts as a preservative for jams. Since this recipe does not include sugar, this jam will only last for about 5 days in the fridge; make this jam in small amounts.

You can store this jam in an airtight glass container in the fridge. But jars just look prettier for serving the jam, don’t they? Before using the mason jars, you will need to sterilize them first by running them through a hot dishwasher cycle or boiling them in water for 15 minutes and leaving them to sit in hot water. When ready to use them, upend onto a towel to dry before filling.

Ways to use this fresh fig jam

Fig jam pairs perfectly with cheese, making it an excellent appetizer or hors d’oeuvre. It’s also fantastic on toast for breakfast or brunch.

The consistency of this jam is quite chunky, allowing using it in several ways; the possibilities are endless! Here are some ideas:

• Spread it on freshly toasted bread — even better if you have sourdough bread.
• Make a quick pick-me-up afternoon snack by spreading some creamy ricotta, goat cheese, or even classic cream cheese and top it with a bit of this fresh fig jam.
• Serve alongside a charcuterie or cheese board; it pairs perfectly with aged hard cheeses like parmesan and creamy cheeses like camembert and brie.
• Use it as a topping for your vanilla ice cream.
• It is a fantastic sweet topping for Greek yogurt. You can also add it to a yogurt parfait for a sweeter dish version.
• Swirl it in your unsweetened oatmeal for added flavor and sweetness.
• Use it as a filling for pies and tarts.

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