Easy Fig Jam Recipe by Jamie Oliver – Sweet Homemade Bliss

Sweet, sticky fig jam transforms ordinary bread into a gourmet experience that tantalizes taste buds and sparks culinary creativity.

Ripe, sun-kissed figs burst with natural sweetness, creating a preserve that captures summer’s essence in every spoonful.

The magical transformation happens when fruit meets heat, slowly breaking down into a luxurious spread with deep, complex flavors.

Simple ingredients dance together, releasing intense aromas that fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Each batch carries the rustic charm of traditional preserving, connecting you to generations of home cooks who cherished seasonal bounty.

Crafting this jam requires patience and a gentle touch, allowing ingredients to meld and concentrate their most vibrant characteristics.

Small-batch preparation ensures a personal connection to every jar, turning a humble collection of figs into a remarkable condiment: get ready to elevate your breakfast routine.

What Makes Jamie Oliver’s Fig Jam Recipe So Irresistible

• Capture Summer's Sweetness: This fig jam locks in the vibrant, sun-ripened flavors of fresh figs, preserving their natural goodness in a delightful spread that captures the essence of late summer harvests.
• Super Simple Homemade Magic: With just a few ingredients and minimal cooking skills, you can transform ordinary figs into a luxurious jam that feels like a gourmet achievement, making even beginner cooks feel like culinary champions.
• Versatile Flavor Bomb: Spread this jam on morning toast, swirl into yogurt, pair with cheese boards, or use as a glaze for meats, creating endless delicious possibilities that elevate simple dishes from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Quick Kitchen Therapy: In just 50 minutes, you'll create a homemade treat that fills your kitchen with warm, sweet aromas, offering a therapeutic cooking experience that connects you to traditional preserving methods while delivering pure, natural deliciousness.

Gather Your Goods: Ingredients for Jamie Oliver’s Fig Jam

• Figs: Sweet and ripe figs are the star of this homemade jam, providing natural sweetness and rich flavor. Choose fresh, soft figs without bruises or mold.

• Sugar: Helps preserve the jam and adds sweetness, balancing the natural flavor of the figs. Use granulated white sugar for the best results.

• Water, Lemon Juice: Helps dissolve sugar, adds liquid for cooking, and provides a bright, tangy note to balance the sweetness. Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor.

From Pot to Jar: Instructions for Jamie Oliver’s Fig Jam

Step 1: Prepare Fig and Sugar Mixture

Combine figs and sugar in a large nonreactive saucepan. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sugar begins to dissolve and figs release their juices.

Step 2: Add Liquid Ingredients

• Water
• Lemon juice

Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to fully dissolve the sugar.

Step 3: Simmer and Thicken

• Fruit becomes tender
• Liquid forms thick, heavy droplets when dripping from a spoon
• Jam reaches a jam-like consistency

Step 4: Jar and Store

Carefully transfer the hot jam into 3 clean 1/2-pint glass jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Allow jars to cool completely at room temperature.

Step 5: Refrigerate and Preserve

Store the sealed jam in the refrigerator.

Insider Hints to Perfect Jamie Oliver Fig Jam

• Seal Smartly: Leave just enough space at the top of jars to ensure perfect preservation without risking contamination.
• Mix Masterfully: Constant stirring prevents sugar from burning and creates a silky smooth jam texture.
• Rest and Dissolve: Letting figs and sugar sit together releases natural sweetness and helps ingredients blend seamlessly.
• Zest Up Naturally: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness and helps the jam set beautifully.
• Pick Peak Produce: Select the most ripe, fragrant figs for a jam bursting with intense, sweet flavor.

Keeping It Fresh: Storage Tips for Jamie Oliver’s Fig Jam

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer with clean, sterilized mason jars. Extract all air to prevent oxidation and maintain the jam's vibrant flavor for extended periods, dramatically increasing preservation time beyond traditional methods.
• Dark Cool Pantry Storage: Transfer cooled jam into dark glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Place in a consistently cool pantry area away from direct sunlight, maintaining temperature between 50-70°F to preserve texture and prevent potential bacterial growth.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store opened jam in airtight glass containers at the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most stable. Position jars away from the door to minimize temperature fluctuations that could compromise the jam's quality and reduce its overall shelf life.

Flavorful Alternatives: Variations on Jamie Oliver’s Fig Jam Recipe

• Spiced Autumn Fig Jam: Enhance the recipe by adding warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of vanilla extract during the initial sugar-fig mixing stage for a cozy seasonal flavor profile.
• Boozy Fig Preserve: Introduce a splash of bourbon or brandy right before the final simmer to create a sophisticated, rich undertone that complements the natural sweetness of the figs.
• Citrus-Infused Fig Spread: Incorporate orange zest and a bit of orange juice alongside the lemon juice to brighten the jam's flavor and add a subtle citrusy complexity.
• Herb-Kissed Fig Compote: Stir in finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme during the last few minutes of cooking to create an unexpected herbal note that pairs beautifully with the fig's natural sweetness.

Finishing Touch: Jamie Oliver’s Fig Jam Recipe

Sweet fig jam magic emerges from Jamie Oliver’s classic recipe, revealing Mediterranean flavors in each spoonful.

Homemade preserves connect us to traditional culinary practices with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Kitchen enthusiasts will appreciate the recipe’s straightforward technique and minimal ingredient list.

Seasonal figs become a luxurious condiment through careful preparation and patient simmering.

Now, let’s share this delectable jam recipe across social platforms, inspire fellow culinary adventurers, and spread deliciousness through your network.

Jamie Oliver Fig Jam Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Jamie Oliver’s fig jam delivers Mediterranean sweetness in a single spoonful. Rich seasonal figs caramelize with sugar and lemon, creating a luxurious spread perfect for morning toast or elegant cheese pairings you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) green or purple figs, stemmed and cut into ½-inch pieces

Sugar:

• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) sugar

Liquid Ingredients:

• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons (90 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine chopped figs and granulated sugar in a large, nonreactive saucepan, allowing them to macerate for approximately 15 minutes. Gently stir occasionally, observing as the sugar gradually dissolves and releases moisture from the figs.
2. Pour water and freshly squeezed lemon juice into the saucepan, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil. Continuously whisk to ensure complete sugar dissolution and prevent any crystallization.
3. Reduce heat to medium and simmer the fig mixture, stirring intermittently. Monitor the consistency carefully, cooking until the figs become tender and the liquid transforms into a thick, syrupy texture that slowly drips from a spoon (approximately 20 to 25 minutes).
4. Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully ladle the hot fig jam into sterilized 8-ounce (1/2-pint) glass jars, maintaining a 6-millimeter (1/4-inch) headspace at the top to allow for proper sealing and expansion.
5. Allow the filled jars to cool completely at room temperature, then secure the lids tightly. Refrigerate the fig jam, which will maintain optimal flavor and quality for up to 3 months when stored properly.

Notes

• Prioritize selecting plump, vibrant figs bursting with natural sweetness and deep color.
• Gently press figs to ensure they yield slightly without being mushy or overly soft.
• Carefully remove any stems or blemishes before slicing or chopping for uniform jam consistency.
• Incorporate fresh lemon juice to balance sweetness and help natural pectin activate during cooking.
• Stir consistently while heating to prevent burning and encourage even sugar dissolution.
• Watch for jam thickening by using the cold plate test or tracking temperature around 220°F.
• Clean jars thoroughly with hot water and sterilize to maintain preservation quality.
• Cool jam completely before sealing to prevent condensation and potential bacterial growth.
• Store sealed jars in cool, dark spaces for maximum longevity up to one year.
• Refrigerate opened jars and consume within three weeks for optimal freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 319
• Sugar: 48 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 82 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg