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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.
Cathy says
Could I please have the file for the label?
Thanks so much!
Chris Scheuer says
You're welcome, Cathy. The labels are on the way.
Jane says
I cannot wait to try this recipe. Please send me your adorable labels. THanks much. Blessings!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, happy to send them, Jane!
DoLee Spurgeon says
Do you, by any chance, have a good recipe for fresh fig jam. My neighbor just brought me a huge bowl of fresh figs. I quick got out your recipe for the fig orange jam that sounds so good , only
To realize you used dried figs.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi DoLee, I haven't tested this recipe with fresh figs but I think it should work fine. You may have to cook it a bit longer, until everything gets nice and jammy.
DoLee Spurgeon says
May I have the fig jam labels please. I'm going to try with fresh figs.
Thanks, DoLe
Chris Scheuer says
Hi DoLee, sending them now.
Deb Douglas says
Bless you for this fig recipe!! My fig tree produced an enormous amounts of figs several seasons ago, and I purchased a dehydrator and dried several pounds of fresh figs. I never used them! So now, with your reipe, I am making fig and orange jam! I would love some of these beautiful labels...
God bless you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Deb! We will send the labels.
Lyn says
Thank you for this recipe , Chris. The jam tasted so good though it was very thick as I had overcooked it. Fortunately, I managed to salvage it by boiling it again with a cup of water. Can I reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe to make a low sugar version ? I love your ridiculously easy recipes . Would you consider creating some low sugar recipes for those of us on a low sugar diet? Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Lyn, yes, this jam is very forgiving if it's overcooked - a little extra water does the trick!
Regarding your question, you could go with less sugar. The jam will need to cook a little longer though to get thick.
Regarding your question, I will keep that in mind although I'm not an expert on low-sugar recipes. This is a great website for good lower sugar recipes: https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com
Leslie says
Love this recipe. Please send labels. Thanks
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Leslie!
Barbara Glick says
Can you send me the printable label for this jam... got it as a gift and it is sooo delicious!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Barbara! We will send the labels your way.
Durk says
A friend of mine brought this jam to us as a hosts gift when they stayed the weekend, just as you suggested; with a lovely syrah soaked toscany cheese, whole grain butter crackers, a sparkling prosecco... I was sure I'd made it to heaven. I asked immediately for the jam recipe, which she was happy to share; it's yours! I hope you will Please send your labels straightaway, as we have both our dried figs and fresh fig trees in abundance here! I can't wait to make my own!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's awesome, Durk! We will send the labels your way!
Yoland says
Hi Scott and Chris
Could you please send a set of labels
Thanks, Yoland
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Yoland!
Prencella Hamby says
Figs are my favorite!
Please send the labels. My neighbors will get a gift!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Prencella!
Sheila says
Hi,
Can I have the labels for the fig orange jam
Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Great! Sending them now, Sheila!
Pamela says
I think you have solved the question of what I will be gifting. Love these ideas. Yes, please - labels!
Gail Miller says
Hi Chris!
Love all your recipes! You are my "go-to" if I need to make something spectacular, for myself or company!
Could you please send me the labels for this jam? I am going to bring some as a gift to my daughter in law - as a fellow foodie, she will love it!
Thanks,
Gail
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Gail 💕 Happy to send the labels your way!
mary Catherine Romans says
You were right! ridicously easy. I just made it this morning. Absolutely delicious and so easy to make. Please send the labels. Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, they're on the way, Mary Catherine!
Barbara says
I will be making this this weekend. I haven't tried a recipe from you that hasn't turned out wonderfully! Thank you so much for sharing!
Could you please send labels?
Thank you again!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Barbara! We will send the labels.
Susan Dieffenbach says
Chris,
I can't wait to try this jam. Please send me the labels.
Thank you.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Susan!
Mia says
This sounds delicious! Please send me the labels! Also- I have a lot of frozen orange sections- do you think I could use these instead of the juice? Thanks so much!
Chris Scheuer says
Yes, that will work!
Jane says
Yes, please send me a set of labels. Fantastic for gifts!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Jane!
glynis says
love this idea - excited to try it - please send me both round and long printable labels.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Glynis!
Candice says
Please send me the labels. Thank you so much.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Candice!
sonia says
HI Chris,
Can't wait to make this for my mom and her friends in Church, Can you please share the Printable labels with me? When I ,aka one of your jams and use your labels everyone always comments on the label more than the preserves...I should be insulted I guess. But I'm not because I taste everything before sharing and know the preserves taste Great!!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Ha! That's great, Sonia! We will send the labels.
Deborah S says
I love figs!! Pls send me the labels...Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Deborah!
Candace says
Hi Chris,
I didnt receive the labels, can you please resend? Thanks
Candace
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Candace, I'm wondering if they went to your junk mail. I just resent them, let us know if you don't get them.
Beata says
I would like printable labels, please. Can't wait to make this jam, sounds wonderful!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Beata!
Elizabeth says
Can't wait to try this! Label please