Black Pepper Free Fig & Apple Cider Vinegar Jam
Sweet, jammy, and warmly spiced, this fig preserve is the kind of thing you'll want to spread on everything — toast, cheese boards, roasted meats, you name it. The combination of ripe figs, honey, and apple cider vinegar creates a beautifully balanced flavor that's fruity and tangy with just a gentle hum of Ceylon cinnamon and ginger underneath. For anyone avoiding black pepper, homemade jam is genuinely one of the safest bets around, since store-bought fruit spreads and chutneys often sneak in spice blends that can be hard to verify. Here, every ingredient is straightforward and easy to check off — no spice blends, no mystery seasonings, just clean pantry staples you can trust. The technique is simple too: everything goes into one saucepan, and a slow simmer does all the heavy lifting while your kitchen fills with an incredible caramelized-fruit aroma. A splash of lemon juice at the end brightens the whole thing and keeps the flavors lively. Once it cools and thickens in the jar, you'll have a gorgeous, versatile condiment that feels far more impressive than the effort it actually takes.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 lb fresh figs, stems removed and roughly chopped (or dried figs, halved and soaked in warm water for 20 minutes, then drained)
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the figs, honey, apple cider vinegar, water, Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, and sea salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir to coat the figs evenly.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon or spatula, for 20–25 minutes, until the figs have completely broken down and the mixture is thick enough that a line drawn through it with the spoon holds for 2–3 seconds before filling back in.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!