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Easy Honey Vanilla Fig Jam Recipe Perfect for Small Batches at Home

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A quick and approachable fig jam recipe using honey and vanilla for natural sweetness and warmth, perfect for small batches and everyday use.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh figs (about 300 grams), washed and quartered
  • ⅓ cup honey (80 ml)
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons water (30 ml)
  • Pinch of sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and quarter about 2 cups (300 g) of fresh figs. The skin should be intact but tender. (5 minutes)
  2. In a saucepan, add the figs, ⅓ cup (80 ml) honey, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water, and the scraped seeds from one vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir gently to mix. (2 minutes)
  3. Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to a simmer and let it bubble gently. The figs will start to soften and break down. (15–20 minutes)
  4. As the figs soften, use your spoon or spatula to mash them slightly, encouraging a jammy consistency. Don’t overdo it—you want some texture. (2 minutes)
  5. Stir in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt. This brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness. (1 minute)
  6. To check if it’s done, spoon a bit onto a chilled plate and run your finger through it. It should wrinkle and hold its shape. If it’s too runny, cook a few minutes longer. (2–3 minutes)
  7. Remove from heat and let the jam cool slightly before transferring to sterilized jars. It will thicken as it cools. (10 minutes)

Notes

Use medium heat to avoid scorching the honey. Stir gently but regularly to prevent sticking. Lemon juice is essential to balance sweetness and preserve brightness. For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Jam lasts about two weeks refrigerated. Optionally blend for smoother texture or add spices like cinnamon or ginger for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: fig jam, honey fig jam, vanilla fig jam, small batch jam, homemade jam, easy jam recipe, fruit preserves