--- title: "Homemade Fig Jam — Easy Mermelada de Higos Recipe" description: "Versión en Español. Homemade fig jam, or mermelada de higos, is made by macerating quartered ripe figs with sugar and lemon juice, then simmering them slowly until thick, with a touch of vanilla, and..." url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-fig-jam-mermelada-de-higos-recipe/ date: 2026-10-04 modified: 2026-10-04 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/homemade-fig-jam-mermelada-de-higos-featured.jpg categories: ["Sauces"] type: post lang: en --- # Homemade Fig Jam — Easy Mermelada de Higos Recipe [Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-mermelada-de-higos-casera/) ![Homemade fig jam in a glass jar next to fresh figs](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/homemade-fig-jam-mermelada-de-higos-featured.jpg)*Homemade fig jam* Homemade fig jam, or mermelada de higos, is made by macerating quartered ripe figs with sugar and lemon juice, then simmering them slowly until thick, with a touch of vanilla, and sealing the hot jam in sterilized jars. It takes 15 minutes of preparation, plus 30 minutes of resting, and about 45 minutes of cooking, and makes about 60 tablespoons. It is a sweet, aromatic preserve with Mediterranean roots, passed down through generations, and ideal for desserts, toast, and cheese boards. ## How to Make Fig Jam? The figs are cooked slowly with sugar and lemon until thick and glossy, a process that concentrates the natural flavor of the fruit and preserves it. The jam is ready when a spoonful on a cold plate holds a clean line when you run your finger through it. ## Nutritional Information Each serving of fig jam (1 tablespoon) contains approximately 44 kcal, 0.1 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 11 g of carbohydrates, 10 g of sugars, and 1 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes. ## Homemade Fig Jam Recipe **Preparation:** 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes resting) **Cooking:** 45 minutes **Servings:** About 60 tablespoons ### Ingredients - 1 kg of ripe figs - 500 g (2½ cups) of white sugar - 1 lemon - 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract - ½ green apple (optional) ### Instructions 1. Wash the figs carefully under running water, remove the stems, and cut them into quarters. In a heavy bottomed pot, combine the figs, sugar, and lemon juice and mix well so the sugar is evenly distributed. ![Fresh ripe figs for making homemade fig jam](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/fresh-ripe-figs-fig-jam.jpg)*Fresh Figs* 1. Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly so it does not stick. Once it boils, lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. ![Granulated sugar for cooking homemade fig jam](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sugar-homemade-fig-jam.jpg)*Granulated Sugar* 1. Stir in the vanilla. Place a little jam on a cold plate and run your finger through the middle. If the jam does not run back together, it is ready. Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, seal tightly, and turn them upside down for 5 minutes to create a vacuum. Once cool, store in a cool, dark place and refrigerate after opening. ## Additional Tips ### Add an apple for thickness For a thicker jam, add ½ peeled, grated green apple at the start of cooking. Apples are rich in pectin, a natural gelling agent that sets the jam without changing its flavor. ### Use the lemon zest If you prefer not to use apple, add the grated zest of the lemon, only the yellow part. The peel is rich in pectin and its oils boost the flavor. ### Pick dark figs Black figs give a sweeter, deeper jam, while green figs make a milder, lighter one. | Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | White sugar | Brown sugar | 1:1 | Caramel notes, darker | | Lemon juice | Orange juice + zest | 1:1 | Sweeter, aromatic | | Vanilla | Cinnamon stick | 1 stick | Warm and spiced | | Green apple | Commercial pectin | Per package | Faster set | ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ### 1. Can I make fig jam without sugar? You can replace the sugar with honey, panela, or erythritol, although this changes the flavor, texture, and shelf life, so keep it refrigerated and eat it within 30 days. ### 2. Which figs are best? Black figs are the most recommended for their sweet, deep flavor, although green figs work if you want a milder jam. ### 3. Can it be stored without refrigeration? Yes, if you pack it hot into sterilized glass jars, seal them, and store them in a cool, dark place. Unopened, it keeps for up to a year. ### 4. What does the lemon do? Lemon acts as a natural preservative, adds acidity to balance the sweetness of the figs, and helps activate the fruit’s natural pectin for a better set. ## History of Fig Jam Fig jam has its roots in the Mediterranean, where figs have been grown and prized since antiquity. In Greek and Roman cultures they were a symbol of fertility and abundance, and preserving them in honey and later sugar made them last beyond the short harvest. ## Figs in Chile Fig trees were brought to Chile by the Spanish and grow easily in the central valleys, where many homes have one in the backyard. Late summer brings a glut of ripe figs, and jam is the classic way to use them. ## Did You Know? A fig is not a fruit in the usual sense but an infructescence, a cluster of tiny flowers and fruits that bloom inside a closed structure. ## Recommended - [Blueberry Jam Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/blueberry-jam-recipe/) - [Chilean Apricot Jam Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-apricot-jam-recipe-a-traditional-homemade-preserve/) - [Chilean Murta Berry Jam Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-murta-berry-jam-murtilla-recipe/) - [Chilean Plum Jam Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-homemade-plum-jam-mermelada-de-ciruelas-recipe/)