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Flavorful Balsamic Fig Preserves

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A quick and easy homemade fig preserves recipe combining fresh figs, balsamic vinegar, and thyme for a rich, tangy, and sweet spread perfect for toast, cheese boards, or gifts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds fresh figs, washed and quartered
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Pinch of sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 2 pounds of fresh figs and pat dry. Cut into quarters or smaller pieces if large.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine quartered figs, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Stir to mix evenly.
  3. Add stripped leaves from 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme and stir gently.
  4. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring every few minutes and breaking down figs as they soften. The mixture will thicken and become glossy.
  6. Test consistency by placing a spoonful on a chilled plate; if it wrinkles when pushed with a finger and doesn’t flood back, it’s ready. If not, cook longer, testing every 5 minutes.
  7. Remove large thyme stems before bottling; finely chopped leaves can remain.
  8. Pour hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Seal tightly and let cool to room temperature.
  9. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or process in a water bath for longer shelf life.

Notes

Stir frequently in the last 10 minutes to prevent burning and create a smooth texture. Remove woody thyme stems before jarring to avoid bitterness. Lemon juice is essential for balancing sweetness and helping the preserves set. For a smoother texture, pulse briefly with an immersion blender but leaving fig chunks adds nice texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: fig preserves, balsamic fig jam, homemade jam, thyme preserves, easy fig jam, quick preserves, vegan jam, gluten-free jam

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/flavorful-balsamic-fig-preserves-recipe-easy-homemade-thyme-jam-guide/