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This Ridiculously Easy Orange Fig Jam is almost embarrassingly easy- combine dried figs (yes DRIED figs), sugar, orange juice and zest along with a splash of vinegar - cook, stir, puree - you're done! Then it's time to enjoy!
Scott and I were in one of those fun little home and kitchen boutique shops last weekend. He spotted a jar of Orange Fig Jam and placed it on the counter with a few other items we were purchasing. When we arrived home that day and I was unpacking our treasures, I noticed the price on that small jar of jam... "ouch", I thought to myself!
Right then and there, I decided to make my own! I knew from my Balsamic Fig Jam that it's not difficult and doesn't even require pectin. I decided to adapt that easy recipe to include lots of fresh orange flavor. So I went to work...
It was pretty simple from the go. I subbed orange juice for the water and omitted the balsamic vinegar but when I tasted the new concoction it was overly sweet so a splash of apple cider vinegar and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice balanced everything perfectly. Lots of finely grated orange zest, stirred in at the end, added lots of fresh orange flavor. Done!
Make this jam any time of year!
I love that this orange fig jam can be made any time of year since it's made with dried figs. Since fig season is so short and fresh figs are expensive (unless you're lucky enough have a fig tree growing in your yard), this is a wonderful option. I wasn't sure the first time I made fig jam from dried figs if it would live up to fresh fig jam but I was happily surprised. Honestly, you can't tell the difference!
Ridiculously Easy
I would be remiss not to tell you about our whole collection of recipes that we call Ridiculously Easy. You can read more about these recipes in this post and check out the whole collection here. To keep things simple, I define this elite category as "the recipes that make you look like a kitchen rock star with minimal effort on your part".
Sound good? Yep, we think so too!
What to do with this Ridiculously Easy Orange Fig Jam
So what do you do with fig jam? SO much! This super easy orange fig jam will add lots of pizzazz to your everyday culinary world. Here are a few ideas:
- It's fantastic on toast, biscuits, scones, bagels or homemade rolls. We LOVE it on our Seeded Danish Carrot Rolls that you see in the pictures in this post (recipe coming up next week!) or our No-Knead Brioche Bread (that my son says is "better than grandma's - that's my mom who was famous for her homemade bread).
- Serve as pictured above on a cheeseboard. We love it with a smoky cheddar or Gouda, creamy goat cheese, Manchego, Roquefort, Blue or Gorgonzola. Grapes, apples, pears and a handful of nuts like these Easy Candied Pecans or these Sweet and Spicy Roasted Almonds all pair nicely with this jam.
- Use it as a topping for baked brie.
- Layer this jam with cheese in a grilled sandwich with turkey, ham, thinly sliced pork or smoked chicken.
- Mix it in yogurt. Add sliced bananas and some toasted pecans or a sprinkle of granola, delish!
- Heat it up and drizzle it over ice cream.
- Serve it with yogurt instead of honey or jam.
- Use it as a base for pizza or flatbread.
- Use it as a delicious glaze for pork and chicken.
- Roast some veggies with olive oil and a spoonful of this balsamic fig jam... so good!
- Make a vinaigrette with it.
- Use it as a filling between cake layers.
- Make a simple appetizer by spreading goat cheese on little bread toasts and topping each with a slice of prosciutto and a dollop of this Balsamic Fig Jam.
- Give it as a gift!
Give it as a gift?
Yes, this fantastic orange fig jam makes a wonderful gift for family, friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, etc. Pair it with some gourmet crackers and a nice wedge of cheese for a fabulous hostess gift. If someone you know is discouraged or sad, a jar of this jam will be a sweet encouragement, knowing someone cares.
Because this makes such a nice gift, we've created a fun PDF for labels to adorn your jars. These labels are free for the asking - simply let us know in the comment section at the bottom of this post and we will email the labels to you within a day or two along with instructions on how to print them up on your own computer.
For beginners or seasoned cooks
If you've been intimated by making homemade jam, this Easy Orange Fig Jam recipe is for you! It will take you way less than an hour from start to finish and you'll have a row of beautiful golden jars lined up on your counter ready to enjoy! Try it! You'll be making this one again and again, especially if you share with family and/or friends... they'll be lots of requests for refills!
Café Tips for making this Ridiculously Easy Orange Fig Jam
- What type of dried figs to use for this jam? Any kind! I love the golden dried figs from Trader Joes and have also used dried Mission figs but any type of dried figs will work. The color of the jam will vary, depending on the type of dried figs you use.
- This jam has to simmer for 20-25 minutes. When jam simmers there's the tendency for little bits of it to splash out of the pan, so I like to use a fairly large pot to prevent a mess.
- Figs can be sticky so I like to spray my knife with a bit of cooking spray or rub it with a little oil when chopping up my figs.
- This recipe is easily doubled. It may take a few extra minutes of cooking to achieve the desired thickness.
- Jars of this Easy Orange Fig Jam make lovely gifts for friends, neighbors, teachers, hairdressers, postmen, etc. Pair it with a nice box of crackers, a wedge of cheese and a bottle of wine for the best-ever hostess gift!
- If you give this jam as a gift be sure to tell your giftee that it should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, for longer storage. If you decide to use the water bath method it will be shelf-stable.
- The easiest way to blend this Easy Fig Jam is with an immersion blended as you can blend it right in the pot. I love my immersion blender as it's a super versatile workhorse in my kitchen and can be used for soups, sauces and so much more.
Thought for the day:
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoy this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations, and ideas for variations.
- 12 ounces dried figs stems removed (see post for types of figs)
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups orange juice
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- finely grated zest from 2 medium-size oranges
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Chop each fig into quarters. Wash enough jars and lids to hold 24-ounces in hot soapy water and rinse well. Set aside.
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Combine figs, sugar, orange juice, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice in a medium-large saucepan over medium heat.
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Bring to a boil then reduce to a steady. rolling simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Pulse/blend the jam with an immersion (or regular) blender until large pieces are gone but jam is still has a bit of texture. (Use the pulse setting on your blender.)
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Cook for another 5-10 minutes until jam is thickened to desired state. (It will get a bit thicker as it cools). Add fresh orange zest and stir to combine.
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Transfer to jars with tight-fitting lids. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for 2-3 months.
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If you prefer to can this jam to make it shelf stable, follow these directions.
See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.
If you prefer to use Metric measurements there is a button in each of our recipes, right above the word “Instructions”. Just click that button to toggle to grams, milliliters, etc. If you ever come across one of our recipes that doesn't have the Metric conversion (some of the older recipes may not), feel free to leave a comment and I will add it.
This recipe makes 24 ounces of jam. The number of jars will depend on the size of your jams.
Lynn says
This jam looks delicious! Please sent me the pdf for the labels.
Thanks!
Lynn
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Lynn!
Jane P says
This orange fog jam is out of this world! Over goat cheese on a crostini is beyond belief. Many gifts on the horizon with this one. Please send me the labels.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Jane! Sending the labels your way!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Jane, the labels were not able to be delivered. It says they were blocked for spam content.
Jo says
So glad I found this site with all these tasty recipes. Love the combination of flavours.
As a fig lover I thoroughly enjoyed both fig recipes and have already given many as welcome presents.
Would highly appreciate it, if you send me the labels for the fig orange jam.
Best cuisine greetings
Jo
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks for the kind comment, Jo! We will send the labels your way.
Maria says
Hello Chris!
Our fig tree has so many fruits this year. This would be a perfect recipe. Please send the lovely labels. I’ll surely give a jar or two as gifts.
Maria says
Our fig tree has so many fruits this year. This would be a perfect recipe. Please send the lovely labels. I’ll surely give a jar or two as gifts.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Maria! We will send the labels your way.
Mary Louise Zaiontz says
Please send the orange fig jam labels. It sounds wonderful. Thanks so much!
Mary Louise
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Mary Louise!
Sheila says
Hi,
Please send the orange fig jam labels please
Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Sheila!
nancy unwin says
Please send me the labels for the Easy orange fig jam.
Thanks,
nancy
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Nancy!
Colleen says
Love Fig jam andI am so happy you discovered we can use dried figs!!! Always love your recipes. Please send labels!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Colleen! Sending them your way.
JoAnne says
I HAVE 2 FIG TREES THAT ARE PRODUCING A LOT THIS SEASON. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR LABELS FOR YOUR ORANGE FIG JAM. THANKS!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, JoAnne!
Amy Maag-Bayer says
Hi Chris!
Please send me the printable labels for thefig orange jam. I love your recipes and your website! More power to you!
Amy in Switzerland
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Amy! Sending the labels your way.
Judy Reed says
Please send the labels for the fig orange jam. THanks, Judy
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Judy!
Angela says
I just "stumbled" across your page recently and am so glad I did!
I would love to get the printables for this fig jam please and thank you! My husband and I went to France to visit our missionary friends and I had real figs and jam for the first time - soooo good! We don't get fresh figs here in Iowa but I can get dried figs from our Costco! I'd love to make the jam for family for Christmas gifts!
Also - I love the Bible verses you include with your emails. Thank you!
Angela
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thank you for the kind and encouraging comment, Angela! We will send the labels your way.
Cindy says
Yum! Fig orange jam sounds delicious.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Cindy, not sure if you wanted the labels but I'll send them and you can discard if you don't need them.
Terry says
This one has my taste buds tingling! And the fact that it's one of your Ridiculously Easy recipes, to boot? Win-win!
I'd love the pdf for those eye-catching labels, please, and thanks.
Blessings to all! 🙏
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, sending them your way, Terry!
Kathleen says
Please send me the labels for this Orange Fig Jam - love your "easy" recipes! Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
We like "easy" too! Happy to send the labels.
Leona says
Hi again Chris!
I need the label for this jam...and thanks hugely for the link to make this shelf stable. I'll be making a few batches of this one, to keep and to share.
Blessings!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Leona, sending the labels now.
Maria says
May I please get the link for these printable labels, thanks
Chris Scheuer says
Sure! They're on the way, Maria!
Carol V says
Oh, my! This is just what I have been looking for! Ever since my daughter gave us the gift of a cheeses with fig jam, I have been looking for the one that I would like to make……Yours is that one!
Would you please send me your beautiful labels for your Orange Fig Jam ? Many thanks for your tested and delicious recipes.I enjoy your personal bits, ,like changing the water to orange juice.,Thanks, Carol
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for your kind words, Carol. Well get the labels off to you shortly!