This fig preserves recipe has always been my favorite! I have made many jams and preserves over the years, yet nothing comes close to fig preserves, except maybe my strawberry fig preserves.
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"Fig preserves" or "moorabeh't teeneh" in Assyrian is a favorite among most Assyrian families as well as other cultures in the Middle East. It's irresistibly sweet and flavored with cardamom and served for breakfast with butter or geymar (clotted cream) and warm samoon.
Fig preserves is enjoyed all over the Middle East, not just in Assyrian households. You'll often find it as part of a Suhoor meal along with Middle Eastern pita bread during Ramadan. If you're planning your menu, browse my full collection of Ramadan recipes for more traditional dishes.
If you're a cardamom fan, make sure you try this kardemummabullar (cardamom buns) recipe and my new fig cake recipe; it's prepared with fig preserves!
How to Make Fig Preserves
Step 1: Wash and trim the ends off the figs, then slice them in half.
Step 2: Place figs in a 7.5-quart Dutch oven, and top with sugar. Add lemon juice, zest, cardamom, and cinnamon (if using). Cook over low heat, uncovered, allowing the sugar to melt slowly, as you gently stir.
Step 3: When the mixture begins to boil, lower the temperature and allow the preserves to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until thickened.
Step 4: Meanwhile, place the jars and lids in a large pot filled with enough water to fully submerge the jars. Boil for approximately ten minutes to sterilize.
Step 5: Carefully ladle the preserves into the sterilized jars, leaving a ¼" headspace. Wipe off the lids and sides of the jars, then seal tightly with the caps.
Step 6: Process in the boiling water for an additional ten minutes, if desired. Store in the pantry for up to a year.
Recipe FAQs
Figs are naturally high in pectin, so you don't need to add pectin to fig jam or preserves. I have also found that chopping the figs and releasing the seeds makes the preserves even thicker.
Yes, both fresh figs and frozen can be used to make fig jam.
Mission, Kadota, Adriatic, Calimyrna, and Brown Turkey Figs are all great options for making fig preserves.
Check out this article to learn more about figs.
Pro Tips
- Fig Preserves or fig jam is not only scrumptious, but it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
- Spread some on toasted sourdough loaded with cream cheese or butter. Ok, maybe that is a bit too obvious.
- One of my other favorite ways to enjoy this recipe is over vanilla ice cream. In my opinion, it's way better than chocolate or even caramel sauce.
- Fig Preserves and goat cheese are a match made in heaven. I use these complementary ingredients to make fig pizza.
- You can also use fig preserves as a filling for thumbprint cookies or fig newtons.
More Jam Recipes!
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash and trim ends off of the figs, then slice in half. Place figs in an eight-quart Dutch oven, top with sugar. Add lemon juice, zest, cardamom, and cinnamon (if using).
- Cook over low heat, uncovered, allowing the sugar to melt slowly, as you gently stir.
- When the mixture begins to boil, lower the temperature and allow the preserves to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until thickened.
- Meanwhile, place the jars and lids in a large pot filled with enough water to fully submerge the jars. Boil for approximately ten minutes to sterilize.
- Carefully pour the preserves into the steralized jars, leaving a ¼" headspace. Wipe off the lids and sides of the jars, then seal tightly with the caps.
- Process in the boiling water for an additional ten minutes, if desired. Store in the panty up to a year.
Nutrition
Notes
- Fig Preserves or Fig Jam is not only scrumptious, but it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
- For starters, spread some on toasted sourdough loaded with cream cheese or butter. Ok, maybe that is a bit too obvious.
- One of my other favorite ways to enjoy this recipe is over vanilla ice cream. In my opinion, it's way better than chocolate or even caramel sauce.
- Fig Preserves and goat cheese are a match made in heaven. I use these complementary ingredients to make fig pizza.
- You can also use this Fig Preserves as a filling for Thumbprint Cookies or Fig Newtons.
Carole Kochan says
can I reduce the sugar or use honey to minimize the refined sugar and sweetness?
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Carole, I just got asked the same question a few days ago by a friend. You probably can, but since I no longer have access to fresh figs here in Montana, I can't test it out, so I hesitate to say you definitely can.
Joe says
So good. 5 lbs figs & 1/4 cup sugar otherwise just as your recipe instructs. Thank you.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Joe. I appreciate your comment!
Mary R says
Made a batch of your fig preserves yesterday. Followed your recipe exactly and added all the spices. It’s outstanding! Next, I’ll make your strawberry fig preserves and fig bread. Thank you for sharing your recipes, I’m so happy I found you!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much for the review, Mary! I'm happy you found me too 🤗. You will love the other 2 recipes too, they're my reader's favorites!
Nancy Dee Miller says
My husband loves fig preserves so I was looking for a recipe when I found this. I actually have a question about the jar in the top photo. Can you please tell me who makes those jars? I've been looking!
HildaSterner says
Hi Nancy, funny story; this was actually a jar that held yogurt. After we ate the yogurt, I kept the jar because I liked the shape. I think the brand is called Oui by Yoplait. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a reusable lid.
jakmalak says
Weck makes similar jars for canning with rubber rings and metal clips. I have used them successfully in jam canning and like their appearance
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you very much for that info, I'll look into it. 🙂
Susan says
I made this tonight with 5 pounds of frozen figs that my mother gave me. I used 5 cups of sugar (1 cup per pound of figs) and used lemon zest as well as one very thinly-sliced organic lemon. I put in a cinnamon stick instead of ground cinnamon, and I did not increase the cardamom, using only 1/2 teaspoon. The preserves are wonderful! Thank you for a great recipe.
HildaSterner says
Thanks, Susan. That reminds me, I have frozen figs in my freezer I have to make preserves with soon. Thanks for stopping by and leaving the review. Merry Christmas!
Dawn Ragan says
Far too sweet. If I make this again, I'm going to cut the sugar in half.
HildaSterner says
Thanks for your comment, Dawn. Sorry it was too sweet for you. I'd love to hear back about how it turns out with half the sugar.