Fig Paste
Making your own fig paste from scratch is easier than you'd think. Just 5 minutes of prep time and 3 simple ingredients are all you need to make a big batch of this condiment that you can use for months!
It's also a splendid way of putting fresh figs to use- you can easily batch make some of this and fresh fig compote over the weekend!
Preserving fresh fruit has become one of my latest obsessions. I used some extra strawberries that I had to make roasted strawberries and leftover lemon peel to make candied citrus peel, and both of them have been an absolute hit.
This time, I had some extra figs, and I thought of using them up to make a condiment that could last for months. And that's when I tried this out!
Quick Look
- 🔪Prep time: 5 min.
- ⏲️Cook time: 3 hours.
- 👪 Servings: 8.
- 📋Main ingredients: Figs, lemon juice, setting sugar.
- ♨️Cooking method: Finely chop fresh figs 🡢 add to a saucepan with setting sugar 🡢 cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally 🡢 transfer to a lined container 🡢 cool and use or store for later.
- ⭐Difficulty: Easy.
- 🥣Serving ideas: Use it as a natural sweetener in almost any recipe that calls for date paste.
Jump to:
What's So Great About the Recipe?
- It's really easy to make- just like my spiced pear butter. Sure, it does take a bit of time, but it's not complicated at all.
- It's super versatile. You can use your fig paste as a breakfast spread along with some classic blueberry sauce, or feature it on a cheese platter.
Recipe Ingredients
Figs: The hero ingredient! Make sure you pick the best ones you can find. They should be ripe, soft and have that delicious natural sweetness.
Setting sugar: To help the mixture solidify and thicken. If you don't have this, use granulated sugar (along with a little drizzle of homemade golden syrup, if you want) and pectin.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed, to balance out the sweetness of the fig paste.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- For some extra yumminess and a bit of texture, you can also add some coarsely chopped nuts to the paste. Pecans are a good option- I used them to make my pecan praline sauce too, but you can try using walnuts as well.
- To bring another layer of flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom or even some dried ginger powder to the paste towards the end.
- Vanilla extract can also be a good addition, but I like to add my olive oil caramel sauce whenever I have it at hand.
How to Make Fig Paste
Step 1: Finely chop fresh figs and add them to a saucepan over low heat.
Step 2: Add setting sugar.
Step 3: Mix well and cook over low heat, stirring every 15-20 minutes for about 3 hours or until the mixture thickens nicely. Add lemon juice and take it off heat.
Step 4: Quickly transfer the mixture to a container lined with cling wrap and spread it nicely. Allow it to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.
💭Top Tip
If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the fresh figs in a food processor or blender and then use it for the recipe.
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- You'll need to use roughly an equal amount of fig and sugar to get that perfect thick, paste-like texture.
- If you want to keep it healthier, you can reduce the amount of sugar you're adding or use a natural sugar like date sugar, and add a bit of pectin to compensate and get the paste to have the right consistency.
- Make sure you use a heavy-bottomed non-stick pan for this recipe. This will ensure the paste doesn't end up burning- I did the same when I made my peach jalapeno jam.
- Remember- the longer the mixture cooks, the thicker and harder it will become. Take it off heat at the right time- depending on the kind of texture you're looking for.
How to Use Fig Paste
This homemade fig paste is a phenomenal condiment that you can use in SO many ways.
I love using it as a spread for my breakfast toast and to make my homemade breakfast bars, but you can also feature it on a charcuterie board along with some crackers, an assortment of cheeses, some pistachio pastry cream, my all time favorite spiced Christmas jam, and homemade lemon marmalade.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Store your leftover fig paste in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks, ideally in a clean glass jar with an airtight lid.
Yes, you can! To make it last longer, you can transfer it to a freezer safe container and freeze it for 2-3 months.
Yes, you can. First, rehydrate them in warm water for about 30 minutes, pulse them and cook them down with very little setting sugar and lemon juice.
More Fruit Preserves to Try
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried this fig paste or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Fig Paste
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh figs
- 1 cup setting sugar
- 1 lemon juiced
Instructions
- Finely chop fresh figs and add them to a saucepan over low heat.
- Add setting sugar.
- Mix well and cook over low heat, stirring every 15-20 minutes for about 3 hours or until the mixture thickens nicely.
- Add lemon juice and take it off heat.
- Quickly transfer the mixture to a container lined with cling wrap and spread it nicely.
- Allow it to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the fresh figs in a food processor or blender and then use it for the recipe.
- You'll need to use roughly an equal amount of fig and sugar to get that perfect thick, paste-like texture.
- Make sure you use a heavy-bottomed non-stick pan for this recipe. This will ensure the paste doesn't end up burning.
- Remember- the longer the mixture cooks, the thicker and harder it will become. Take it off heat at the right time- depending on the kind of texture you're looking for.
