How To Make Homemade Fig Preserves Recipe
Get ready to experience a jar of sunshine with this sparkling guide on How To Make Homemade Fig Preserves. Imagine juicy, jewel-toned figs transformed into a luscious, spoonable preserve that’s just as delightful atop warm buttered toast as it is drizzled over creamy yogurt. With a handful of pantry staples, a touch of citrus brightness, and a bit of careful simmering, this recipe captures the essence of summer figs in every bite. Whether you’re a canning enthusiast or a complete beginner, you’ll love how approachable and rewarding this classic treat can be!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines with just a few simple, high-quality ingredients. Each one plays an important role, from the figs’ unique texture and flavor to the lemon’s balancing brightness — so don’t skip these essentials!
- Brown Turkey figs: Plump and mildly sweet, these figs form the heart of your preserves, bringing a rich, deep flavor and irresistible texture.
- Sugar: Essential for sweetness, preservation, and achieving that lovely jammy consistency; adjust to your preferred level of sweetness if desired.
- Water: Just a touch is needed to help break down the figs gently without scorching.
- Bottled lemon juice: Adds a bright acidity and ensures safe acidity levels for canning — don’t substitute with fresh for this reason!
- Lemon zest (optional): For zingy, floral notes that bring out the fig’s natural fruitiness; highly recommended if you love a citrusy pop.
- Margarine or butter (optional): Helps tame foaming as your preserves cook, making life just a little bit easier.
- Certo liquid pectin: The secret to that perfect, spreadable set — no waiting or guesswork required.
How to Make How To Make Homemade Fig Preserves
Step 1: Prep the Figs
Begin by giving your brown turkey figs a gentle wash — they’re delicate, so handle them with care. Trim off the stems and then slice each fig into quarters. This step ensures the fruit’s flavor fully infuses into the preserves and creates that lovely, chunky texture so coveted in homemade spreads.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine your prepared figs, sugar, water, bottled lemon juice, and (if using) lemon zest and margarine or butter. Stir everything together and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes. This rest helps release the natural juices from the figs and allows the sugar to begin dissolving, paving the way for gem-like preserves.
Step 3: Get Your Canning Jars Ready
While your figs sweeten and macerate, start sterilizing your canning jars. Place them in rapidly boiling water for several minutes to kill any lurking bacteria. Separately, pop your flat canning lids into a small pot of water, bring to a boil, then turn off the heat until you’re ready to seal.
Step 4: Boil the Mixture
Place your pot of figs over medium heat and bring it all to a rolling boil — you’ll know you’re there when the bubbles don’t back down as you stir. Maintain that full boil for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent sticking and burning. This stage softens the fruit and begins transforming syrup into something thicker and more luxurious.
Step 5: Stir in the Pectin
Quickly stir in the entire packet of Certo liquid pectin. This is your magic “set” ingredient that helps the preserves firm up once cooled. Keeping the mixture on medium heat, bring everything back to a full, fierce boil. When you hit that bubbly peak again, stop stirring and let it boil for exactly one minute, timing it carefully.
Step 6: Skim, Settle, and Jar
Take your pot off the heat and allow the preserves to settle for a moment. Skim off any foam that’s gathered on top — this is mostly from the fruit and sugar interacting, and removing it ensures a clear, jewel-like finish in your jars. While the preserves are still hot, carefully ladle them into your prepped jars, leaving around a quarter-inch of headspace.
Step 7: Process and Seal
Seal the jars with your warm lids and rings, then process the filled jars in a hot water bath for about 20 minutes. This essential final step guarantees a proper seal and shelf stability, so your homemade fig preserves stay fresh for months to come. Once cooled, check seals and store away your gorgeous, glossy preserves!
How to Serve How To Make Homemade Fig Preserves
Garnishes
A sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary is a beautiful, savory-sweet accent when serving fig preserves on a cheese board. For breakfast, a light dusting of powdered sugar over preserves on toast is pure elegance.
Side Dishes
These preserves are a dream with classic pairings: try offering them alongside sharp cheddar, creamy goat cheese, or rich paté. Add a crusty baguette or tender scones, and you’ve created an instant centerpiece for a brunch or afternoon snack.
Creative Ways to Present
For a showstopping twist, swirl homemade fig preserves through vanilla yogurt, spoon over ice cream, or use as a vibrant ripple in cake batters before baking. Tiny jars also make heartfelt gifts — tie with rustic twine for a sweet, homemade touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once opened, keep your How To Make Homemade Fig Preserves refrigerated with the lid tightly sealed. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for about three weeks — but you’ll likely finish the jar well before then!
Freezing
For longer-term storage, you can freeze preserves in freezer-safe containers, leaving a small gap for expansion. This preserves (pun intended) the fresh taste and color for up to six months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
While you don’t need to reheat preserves, if yours have thickened in the cold or you’d like them a little looser for drizzling, simply scoop some into a mug and microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals until they reach your desired consistency.
FAQs
Why is bottled lemon juice recommended over fresh?
Bottled lemon juice has a standardized acidity level, which is crucial for safe canning. Using it guarantees your homemade fig preserves reach the right level of tartness to prevent spoilage and keep every jar shelf-stable.
Can I use a different type of fig for this recipe?
Absolutely! While brown turkey figs are classic for their rich flavor and color, Black Mission or Adriatic figs make lovely alternatives. Just be sure to match the weight or volume as listed and expect slight differences in flavor.
What if my preserves don’t set?
Sometimes jam and preserves need a little patience. If, after cooling, your preserves are runny, you can reboil the mixture with more pectin. Be sure to carefully follow the boiling times for best results.
How long will canned fig preserves last?
Properly processed and sealed jars of How To Make Homemade Fig Preserves will hold their flavor and quality for up to a year in a cool, dark pantry. Store opened jars in the refrigerator for maximum freshness.
Do I really need to use a water bath for sealing?
Yes, the water bath step is very important for home canning. It prevents spoilage by killing any hidden bacteria or molds. Plus, it ensures that satisfying “pop” sound when you open a jar!
Final Thoughts
There’s simply nothing like the sweet satisfaction of homemade preserves, and learning How To Make Homemade Fig Preserves is the sort of joyful kitchen project you’ll want to return to every fig season. Give it a try — you’ll soon be spreading, swirling, and sharing jars of your very own figgy masterpiece!
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How To Make Homemade Fig Preserves Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6–8 jars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious homemade fig preserves with this easy-to-follow recipe. Perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or using as a sweet topping.
Ingredients
Figs:
- 6 cups brown turkey figs (stem trimmed and roughly chopped)
Sugar Mixture:
- 7 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup bottled lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 1 teaspoon margarine or butter (to cut down on foaming, optional)
Pectin:
- 3-ounce packet Certo liquid pectin
Instructions
- Prep: Wash, trim stems, and slice figs into quarters.
- Combine: In a large pot, combine the first six ingredients and let sit for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Boil: Boil jars in hot water.
- Heat: Boil flat lids in a small pot of water, then turn off the heat.
- Boil: Over medium heat, bring the ingredients to a full rolling boil. Boil for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in Pectin: Stir in the packet of liquid pectin.
- Boil: Continue stirring until the mixture comes to a full boil. Stop stirring and boil for exactly one minute.
- Remove from Heat: Remove the pot from the burner.
- Settle: Allow the preserves to settle, then skim off any foam from the top.
- Fill Jars: Fill jars with the preserves.
- Hot Water Bath: Process the jars in a hot water bath for 20 minutes.
Notes
- Make sure to use ripe figs for the best flavor.
- Adjust the sugar amount based on your preference for sweetness.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Boiling, Canning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Homemade, Fig Preserves, Canning, Sweet Spread
