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Fig Preserves

Dessert 🍰Snack 🍿 Low-CarbLow-SodiumGluten-FreeVegetarian 🥦Vegan 🌱Plant-Based 🌻Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Pescatarian 🐟

Fig Preserves delivers a lusciously sweet, chunky spread made from ripe figs gently simmered in a bright lemon-infused syrup. It’s rich, jammy, and slightly citrusy—perfect for toast, biscuits, and cheese boards or as a glaze for roasted meats. Ideal for late-summer preserving and gifting, this batch-worthy recipe highlights pure fig flavor.

  • Prep10 mins
  • Cook1 hr 20 mins
  • Serves64
  • DifficultyMedium
Fig Preserves
  1. 1

    Gather all ingredients.

  2. 2

    Place the figs in a large bowl; sprinkle the baking soda over the figs. Carefully cover the figs with boiling water and soak for 1 hour. Drain the figs and rinse them thoroughly with cold water.

  3. 3

    Combine the sugar and 4 cups of water in a large Dutch oven; bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add the figs and lemon slices to the syrup and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

  5. 5

    Spoon the figs into hot, sterilized jars and spoon the syrup over the figs, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the inside of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with lids and screw the rings on tightly.

  6. 6

    Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill it halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower the jars, 2 inches apart, into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.

  7. 7

    Remove the jars from the stockpot and let them rest, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure it does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.