One of my very favorite quick appetizers to have on hand is fig jam, brie, and crostinis! It’s something you can whip together at moment’s notice for last-minute entertaining. It all starts with my grandfather’s Southern fig jam recipe!
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!
It’s the best treat to have on hand for easy appetizers. Pair the jam with brie on mini toasts for an easy hors d’oeuvre. My husband and I will often pair this with wine and grilled vegetables for a full dinner. Just bake your brie on a baking sheet until warm, and serve alongside the fig jam and toast or crostini.
Try my Baked Brie Bites with this fig jam recipe!
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
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
Nutrition
I’m off to have some brie with fig jam on toast! Yum! For a few of my other favorite easy appetizer ideas, check these out below:
oooh I’ve not made fig jam before – shall have to give it a go!!
Rebecca
It is a really great recipe. I tried this and it is really delicious.
Fig Jam is really tasty. I tried your recipe of Fig Jam. I prepare fig jam yesterday and that was really really tasty.Thanks for the recipe.
can this be popped into the freezer?
I have also tried this fig recipe and it’s amazing.
I love figs so much – can’t wait to make this again and again!
I love figs so much! What a wonderful recipe!
I love figs and brie! Can’t wait to try my hand at making fig jam.
The Grand Marnier completes me. Seriously this was better than anything bought at a store!
My favorite fig jam recipe EVER!!! So easy to make and it taste delicious!!
Can I can this recipe I stead of refrigerator jam?
I need a fig jelly recipe for a big batch of jelly which doesn’t need to be refrigerated.