Easy Southern Fig Jam Recipe (2024)

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One of my very favorite quick appetizers to have on hand is fig jam, brie, and crostinis! It’s something youcan whip together at moment’s notice for last-minute entertaining. It all starts with my grandfather’s Southern fig jam recipe!

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Growing up, I have so many memories picking figs off my grandparent’s fig tree in South Carolina. My grandfather could make this fig jam in his sleep, and we always left their house with jars and jars of fig jam every summer.

My grandfather taught my Mom and she taught me, and it’s about time I share my family’s homemade fig jam recipe with you! Right?

This recipe is a delicious combination of figs, sugar, thinly sliced lemon and Grand Marnier (the magic touch in this recipe). The result is a sweet, spreadable jam that’s absolutely delicious – even non-fig lovers will find themselves enjoying it!

How to Make Southern Fig Jam

First off, you’ll want to wash your figs in cold water and drain. Then, cut the stems off and slice in half. Place them in a large heavy saucepan and cover with sugar. Let them stand overnight.

On the second day, you thinly slice your lemon and remove seeds. Add these slices to the fig pan and cover medium heat until it starts to bubble! Be sure to stir often. After it begins bubbling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. It’s worth the wait!

Remove from the stove and cool. Then puree in a blender. Add the Grand Marnier and stir until blended. Pour the fig jam into sterilized jars with tops. I love these cute tulip jam jars! Refrigerate until needed, maximum two weeks.

Hint: To sterilize a jar, boil a clean jar upright in a large pot of water for 15 minutes.

I hope you can see that making fig jam is really easy, no fancy equipment needed!

My Favorite Ways to Serve Fig Jam

Alongside brie and crostini, on charcuterie boards, etc.
Served warm over ice cream or pound cake.
On toast for a quick breakfast.
Alongside lamb or pork
Spread on sandwiches or flatbreads

Keep in mind you can warm fig jam and it will turn into a more pourable “sauce” that’s perfect for using as a glaze over meats or drizzled over dishes.

I hope you love this fig jam as much as my family has for generations! The full recipe is posted below.

What cheeses pair well with Fig Jam?

Brie
Goat Cheese
Camembert

Can I reduce the sugar?

You can! Or you can use a sugar substitute. In our family, we’ve found this recipe to be the perfect balance of sweetness and fig flavor, but you can certainly cut back on the sugar.

Fig Jam

Author: Courtney Whitmore

My family’s fig jam recipe, perfect for serving with brie and crostini!

SERVINGS 40 tablespoons

Print Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

2 cups figs - stems removed and sliced in half
2 cups sugar
1 lemon - thinly sliced and seeds removed
¼ cup Grand Marnier - orange liqueur

Instructions

First Day: Wash figs in cold water and drain. Cut stems off and cut figs in half
Place the figs in a large saucepan, and cover with sugar. Let figs stand overnight.
Second Day: Thinly slice the lemon and remove seeds. Add the slices to the fig pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir often.
After it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour, continuing to stir.
Remove from the stove and allow to cool to room temperature.
Add the fig mixture to the blender and blend until pureed.
Add the Grand Marnier and stir until blended. Pour the fig jam into sterilized jars with tops and refrigerate.

Notes

This recipe yields 2 1/2 cups of fig jam.

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 11gPotassium: 9mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1.5mgCalcium: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!