Old-Fashioned Fig Preserves
Naturally thick, deeply caramelized fig preserves made with just a few ingredients—no pectin required. A nostalgic, rich spread perfect for toast, cheese boards, or straight from the spoon.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh figs stemmed and quartered
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar adjust to taste
- ¼ cup lemon juice fresh only
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional but recommended
- 1 pinch salt to balance sweetness
Instructions
- Wash figs, remove stems, and quarter. Cut larger figs into smaller pieces.
- Combine figs, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt in a crockpot or heavy-bottomed pot. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low heat: Crockpot for 6–8 hours, or stove for 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally. It's ready when it coats the back of a spoon.
- Optional: Use an immersion blender for a smoother texture or mash with a fork for a chunky version.
- Ladle hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Seal and let cool. Store or enjoy immediately.
Notes
Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months. For shelf-stable storage, water bath can jars for 10 minutes. Try flavor variations like cinnamon, orange zest, or bourbon. For a low-sugar version, reduce sugar and add chia seeds to thicken.
Nutrition
Calories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 21gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
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