Figs seem to be one of those fruits that people love or they don’t like at all. At the house where I grew up, there was a huge fig tree in the back yard that was quite prolific and produced almost every year. During the summer we had an abundance of fresh figs which a few members of the family enjoyed right off the tree and the other could leave them be. My mother and I were a couple of the ones that loved figs and could eat them by the bowl full. However, we had more figs than we could eat so in order to not waste a single fig, my mother made these Strawberry Fig Preserves with JELL-O. Everyone loved these preserves! They are a great compromise for those who love figs and those who don’t.
This Strawberry Fig Preserves with JELL-O recipe has been around for a very, very long time; therefore, there are many variations. However, for all of the recipes, the three main ingredients are the same – figs, sugar and strawberry JELL-O. I’m not sure where my mother got her recipe, but then I don’t remember her following one. She made this so often, that she really didn’t need one and never wrote one down. So when I went to make these preserves last week, it was hit or miss and I hit it right on the mark! Even Bobby, who doesn’t like figs, loves these preserves.
My strawberry fig preserve recipe uses a smaller ratio of sugar to figs than most of the recipes I found and the cooking time is 8 minutes (for high elevation – 6 minutes for sea level). This produces semi-firm preserves that are perfect for toast, biscuits and PB&Js. The recipe yields 2 pint jars or 4 half-pints. If you want to share with friends, sterilize 4 half-pint jars, pour the hot preserves into the jars, then seal them with canning lids. After several minutes you should hear the lids pop, indicating they are sealed.
Mock Strawberry Fig Jam
Strawberry Fig Jam made with figs, sugar and strawberry jello. So easy and so good. This version is MJ's adaption of hundreds of similar recipes. If you want it sugar-free, please read the Kitchen Notes.
"*" See Kitchen Notes for more information or links to special ingredients.
- 3 cups chopped or smashed figs* (about 2 pounds)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 – 6 ounce box of Strawberry JELL-O
If you want to have sealed jars to share or store in the pantry for later, sterilize 2 pints or 4 half-pint jars in a hot water bath for for 10-20 minutes depending on elevation. Leave in the hot water until the preserves are ready to pour.
For refrigerator jam, wash and rinse the jars (do not dry). Add about an inch of water to each jar and place in microwave for 1.5 minutes. Using jar grips, pour out the hot water and place jars on a clean towel until ready to pour.
- Remove the stems from the figs. Chop coarsely and transfer to a large bowl. Smash with a potato smasher to the desired consistency.*
- Add the sugar and JELL-O to the figs. Stir to combine all of the ingredients. Transfer to a 4 – 6 quart sauce pan.
Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar and JELL-O have dissolved. Continue to heat, stirring to a full boil (a boil that can not be stirred down).
- Stir at a full boil for 6 – 8 minutes.* Be careful, because the mixture will start to splatter and it’s hot!
After 6-8 minutes, remove from the heat and pour into prepared jars. Wipe the rim of the jars with a clean, damp rag and top with the lid and rings. Tighten firmly.
- Let sit on a cooling rack until cool. If desired, after 30-60 minutes, flip the jars over to let the fruit evenly distribute.
- *See Kitchen Notes for more information.
Figs – I like using a mix of underripe, ripe and overripe figs. The underripe figs provide the chunkiness for a preserves whereas the ripe and overripe figs cook down into a jam which holds it all together. Therefore, you can use pretty much whatever is available. If you use only ripe and overripe figs, you’ll end up with more of a jam than preserves.
Smashing the figs – If you want the consistency of chunky preserves, then don’t smash too much. Smash just enough to get some soft pulp mixed in with larger pieces of figs. If you want more of a jam, then use ripe to overripe figs and smash away.
Cooking time – The amount of time depends on two factors: elevation and the consistency you want in the final product. At 5000 feet, 8 minutes yields a softer preserve/jam that spreads nicely on toast, but isn’t runny. At sea level, 6 minutes would probably do the job. For a thicker preserve/jam, cook 10 minutes. Some recipes you’ll find say to cook 4 minutes. However, I have found that, in 4 minutes, the figs don’t cook enough and the preserves are too hard.
Sugar-Free preserves – If you want a sugar-free version of these preserves, then use sugar-free jello, and stevia. Based on readers’ feedback, substitute the jello and sugar with the same amounts used the the original recipe – one 6 ounce box of sugar-free jello and 2 cups stevia.
For My Mother Sally (May 1926 – July 2016) who loved her figs and watermelon.
This post is dedicated to my sweet loving mother who taught me how to cook and with whom I spent hours and hours in the kitchen – cooking, baking, eating and best of all, laughing.
If you like these Strawberry Fig Preserves and the concept of small batch jams, take a look at this collection of Quick & Easy Jams as well as my Jams & Jellies category. For more instructional information about quick & easy jams, click this link for more Kitchen Notes/Tips on How to Make Quick & Easy Jams.
I made this recipe yesterday (8/18/22). Today, when I checked it, the contents of the jar a bit runny. Are they supposed to be runny?
Actually, no, it’s not suppose to be runny Put it in the refrigerator and see it improves the texture. Otherwise, I would say it didn’t get cooked long enough or too muany figs were used? Whenever my jam turns out runny, which does happen sometimes, I put in a wide skillet and heat back up for a couple of minutes. This evaporates some of the moisture and it sets better when you return it to the jar. Hope this helps. Cheers, MJ
I am diabetic, can you make this recipe using Splenda and sugar free jello? If so, how much Splenda and how much sugar free jello? Thanks
Tracy, Yes, you can use sugar free jello and Splenda. Even though I’ve never tried it myself, I did hear back from someone who did. She used the same amounts as called for in the recipe but did say it was pretty sweet. If you don’t want it as sweet, you could cut the Splenda back to 1 1/2 cups. Please let me know if you do it and how it turns our. It will help others. Cheers, MJ
I have made this Fig Jam for years. you can use any flavor of jello that you like and you can also use more figs than it calls for. I probably used 5 cups cut in small chunks and 4 cups of sugar. My husband is diabetic I made him some using sugar substitue and sugar free
Jello. The texture is a little different and the yield is less bit good for him.
Nancy, thanks for the comments and information. I’m asked quite often about using sugar-free jello and others have been successful with it as well. This certainly is a classic recipe! I remember making it with my mother when I was a kid. Tried and True! Cheers, MJ
My mother used to make the strawberry fig preserves. She had a huge tree in the yard. We all loved to eat the preserves on toast. I have made it a few times for my children and grandchildren. My daughter came up with the idea to try raspberry Jello for a small batch. It really was fantastic. We are looking for figs now to whip up a couple of batches.
You seem to have the same memories of this jam as I do. 🙂 The house I grew up in had a huge fig tree so my mom made lots of this jam. Raspberry jello does sound wonderful! I’ve had other people tell me that they used raspberry and one recently used cherry. If I can get figs this year, I’m hoping to try both flavors. Thanks so much for commenting and glad you are enjoying playing with the recipe! Cheers, MJ
My mother passed this recipe on to me 30 years ago. My favorite of all the recipes I have. So easy and delicious. The hardest part of this recipe is finding the figs.
Carla, Thank you so much for your comment! I use to make this recipe with my mother when I was a kid. I never stopped making it and that was about 50 years ago. 🙂 Yes, I do agree that the hardest part is finding the figs. Thanks again.
Hey, I made your recipe but I did not have strawberry jello so I used cherry. I do not care for very sweet jams so I also added a lemon juice powder I bake with it it gave the jam a sour cherry touch, but still sweet. Thanks again for posting!!!!
Thanks for you comments Shelia! Cherry jello sounds awesome! Now I want to try it. A friend of mine was just telling me about lemon juice powder. I’ve never used it before. Sounds interesting.
Can the preserves be kept in the freezer instead of on the shelf?
Yes, they can. Hop you are enjoying them. Cheers, MJ
One of my patients gave me a bucket of figs the week my 6 & 8 year old granddaughters stayed with me. We just finished making and putting up your recipe. I had about a tablespoon left and the scraping left in the pan. The 8 year old “wanted to lick the pan” to see how good it was. I put in on a slice of white bread and gave her the saucer I put under my jars as. I poured the jelly in the jars. As I finished washing the pot, I turned to find her holding up the saucer and “licking the platter clean.” I asked what she thought. She said ” can I have one of the four ounce jars and two more pieces of bread?” Needless to say.. This recipe gets a thumbs up from the Hancock Taste Tester. It makes great jelly and we made great memories.m
We have a blueberry bush that made about 2 gallons and we made jam from them. The watched them grow, hand picked, washed and mashed them, made the jelly and helped with the final bath.
This summer has been spent making jelly and great memories. I hope they will continue our “old fashion ways” when they get older. Even if they don’t. We still made great memories.
Nancy, What a fabulous story!!! Thanks so much for sharing this with me. And yes, what memories you are creating for both you and your granddaughters. I still have memories of my mother, sisters and me making jam, jellies, and canning vegetables. Those memories have lasted a lifetime as I’m sure yours will too. So very glad that the fig jam past the granddaughter test. 🙂 Thanks again. Really enjoyed your comment.
Hello MJ my Aunt gifted me with a pint of these wonderful fig strawberry & fig grape jam. She has passed away & i don’t know anyone else who has used this recipe. I just found a recipe for them & it also calls for canning/sealing in hot jars. My question is after cooking instead of using jars can you put in containers & freeze like freezer jam? If so will it have same shelf life?
Thank you very much.
Brenda, Sorry about your aunt having passed, but isn’t it wonderful for her to have left you with a lifelong memory, even such a small one. Every time I make this jam, I think of my mother. In answer to your question, yes, you can freeze the jam. It should stay in your freezer for at least a year, if not longer. I do have to admit that I’ve never done it, but a friend of mine has and she said it worked great. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Great with raspberry jello.
Fabulous! I’ll try it when I get some figs. Thanks for letting me know.
I have frozen “fresh” figs, can I use for this preserve recipe? Also I’m thinking of cherry jello??
Frozen figs should work, but they might yield a little softer jam. I use frozen apricots for my apricot jam with no problems. Let me know how it comes out and thanks for the question!
I’ve made this recipe with fresh frozen figs the past few years. Turns out great!
thank you for your reply Kelly!
When using the jello in the recipe, do you have to go by the jello directions and add water before mixing it with the mashed figs and sugar?
Debra, No, do not use the Jello recipe. Go by the recipe provided on this site. Cheers!
my mother always used her frozen figs and they worked fine. In fact that is what I’m doing this year. I searched for her recipe and finally found this one that I’m anxious to use.
This might be the only way I can make my kid eat some figs! Such a clever idea.
Thanks Kankana! Speaking from experience it is a great way to get one to eat figs. It’s the only way my husband will eat them. 🙂
Yesterday I made two batches of your mother’s preserves and going to make a couple more for Christmas gifts. My middle daughter is allergic to strawberries, which she loves dearly.
She will be able to have her strawberry’s for breakfast, ice cream or whenever she wants strawberries . Thanks so much for this easy recipe.
Janis, thanks so much for your comments and I am just absolutely thrilled as to how this recipe is helping your daughter in so a small, but significant way.
I have some gigs but I can’t find jar lids, can I do the jello figs and freeze them
Yes, you can freeze the figs, then make the jam once you find some lids. thanks for the question! Cheers, MJ
I make PEACH JAM the same way using “smashed” peaches and peach jello. so any flavor jello works
I haven’t tried peach jello, but I have tried raspberry now and it worked great. Peach jello sounds awesome! Thanks for the comment!
I made these today and even piping hot, they were phenomenal!
I am thrilled!!!!! I wish my mother was still here so I could share your feedback with her. Thanks so much for letting me know.
Love the recipe but, what’s the shelf life, and how should they be stored?
So glad you love the Jam Jessica! It’s a keeper. If the jar is not sealed, then it can be stored in the refrigerator for a year or two, but I can guarantee that it will be eaten before a year is up. If the lid did seal, then at least a 2 year shelf life. Just be sure to store it in a rather cool pantry, not a hot one. I have a pantry next to a heater vent, so I have to be careful what I put in there. I definitely don’t put canned foods. 🙂
My grandma used to make this and now I do. I have also used peaches and pears in place of the figs. It was delicious I also tried it with cucumbers but that was horrid! The cucumber was overwhelming.
Thanks Gloria! No, I have never made this with peaches or pears. I’ll have to try that. Cucumbers? Thanks for the heads-up. 🙂
Hi! I made a batch of these for the first time the other day! DELICIOUS!!!!! I live in NC and I have a fig tree that reaches the second level of my house! They are getting ripe fast! I want to make a lot of small jars for Christmas gifts. I have a newborn right now, and so my time is precious 😊. Do you know if I can cut these up the night before and keep in the refrigerator until the next day when I am ready to mash them?
Oh I’m so glad you like these!!! The fig tree at my childhood house in Louisiana was huge as well. I use to climb on the roof of the tool shed to pick. 🙂 Oh how I miss it.
Yes, you should be able to cut the figs the night before. However, I would add the sugar to keep them from turning. By the next morning the sugar might have melted, but that should be ago. When you get ready to cook, add the Jell-o. Please let me know how it turns out.
Thank you so much for your comment and question! It’s always good to hear from people who have tried a recipe. Hope to hear from you again. And BTW – I’m jealous of your fig tree. 🙂 They don’t grow very big here in New Mexico.
Thank you so much! I wish I could post a picture of it! I made several batches the other day, but haven’t prepped them the night before. I will try that next time! Thanks for the reply!!
Oh goody, goody!!! Send me a picture and I’ll share it on my Facebook page. I’ll just say an anonymous reader and won’t give your name. mjskitchen@icloud.com
The best fig preserves ever! I look forward to more stories about your mom and recipes. Thank you!
Deana, thank you SO MUCH for your feedback! I’m thrilled that you enjoy the recipe. They are the best, aren’t they? 🙂
I have a lot of figs too. I rinse and drain then put in the freezer until I have time to make preserves. Completely thaw and they work great.
I am swinging back by this site again. Fixing to gear back up making more, and wanted to revisit the recipe! MJ, I didn’t see you comment last year about the picture! I will try and do that this time! Helen, that is great to know about freezing! I may need to try that! Last year was a newborn, this year is a very busy and curious 1 year old that takes up a lot of time :).
Thanks Carey! Congratulations on your newborn!!! I’m sure you have had a very busy, but enjoyable year. 🙂
I’ve never tried freezing them then making the preserves. Like Carey, I need to give that a try if I get a lot of figs this year. Thanks!
I’m so sorry for your loss MJ. I remember your post well about the things your Mama taught you (the one that stood out in my mind before revisiting was – deal with it 🙂 how precious to have so many memories of your tender loving Mom in the kitchen and in life; she will live on with you forever. I adore the ingenuity here with the use of jello for the mock preserves – so clever! Our generation of Moms were often propelled into creativity through necessity and there is a lot to be gleaned from that kind of resourcefulness. Our neighbors just offered us some fresh figs from their backyard, I think I’m going to say yes and I’m pretty sure you and your dear Mom would agree. Hugs to you friend, ♥.
Thank you Sweetie! Hugs appreciated! My mother was a wonderful woman, an angel on earth, and I will miss her, but it’s so nice to have so very many wonderful memories.
The ingenuity of that generation was remarkable, wasn’t it? Some of things were questionable, like my aunt who used lard in her sweet pie crusts. 🙂 But on the whole they taught us how to think, how to be frugal and, as you say, resourceful. e.g., When you don’t have strawberries, use Jello – and with 4 kids, there was always jello in the house. 🙂
Love this wonderful shortcut to delicious Strawberry Fig Preserves, MJ! I’ve featured your post at this week’s Hearth and Soul Hop. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much April!!!
it sounds like a dream recipe. I hope to find figs in a good price.
Thanks so much Marta!
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I love Figs but I can only get it here in a bottle as fig preserves and it is so expensive! This just looks so delicious!
Thanks! I bet they are expensive where you live. The trees seem to be very picky where they grow and even here in NM they require more attention than the one we had in north Louisiana.
Mj this is a killer preserve, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting. you need to send me one bottle
You are most welcome and thank you for all the sharing! I’d love to send you jar! 🙂
Wow what an unusual recipe! I think it is sacriligous a bit since I ADORE figs (who does not like them lol). I kid, I would love to try it. My sympathies for your loss and thank you sharing this special memory. Our blogs are fantastic for preserving (no pun) these moments.
Ha Ha…Yes, changing fig preserves to strawberry fig preserves does seem sacrilegious to us fig lovers. But it’s a good compromise for me and the husband. 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet comment Evelyne! Yes, our blogs are great for just that! My mother lives on……… 🙂
I love preserves, especially strawberry! This year our strawberries are new so we don’t have any to pick, but this weekend I’m going to a berry farm – so this jam is on! Thanks!
Thanks Pamela! Since you are going to a berry farm, if you get a mix of berries, be sure to take a look at my mixed berry jam.
What a lovely tribute to your mom, MJ. What great memories you must have from your days together in the kitchen. This is such a clever recipe. I happen to LOVE figs. Wish I could plant a tree in my backyard. But I love preserves on toast with a cup of tea. And I’m definitely going to give this one a try. Sending you a huge hug!
Thanks so much Anne! Just this morning I had my morning tea with a piece of toast and these preserves. What an awesome breakfast! 🙂
It is nice to read about your mother, it makes me realize again that there is almost no nice memory related to my own mother… 🙁 it is sad but I really try to make it better myself, for my own kids…
I love figs and this jam looks perfect!
Thank you so much Adina and I agree, ones mother’s memories are the best. I’m sure your kids are going to have great memories of you!
Dear MJ, thank you for sharing with us your childhood memories. I am crazy for watermelon too (have just eaten a huge bowl of watermelon pieces actually). It sounds extraordinary to have a fig tree behind one’s house… for someone who grew up in a cold country. I’ve just read Things my Mother Taught Me. Very moving…. Thank you.
I must say I like only dried figs and am not very fond of fresh ones, especially those which arrive here. The only time I liked fresh figs was in the south of France. They were from a local producer and very fresh, so I assume they lose a lot of their taste during trips… and also must be picked when unripe for long travels.
Your jam looks fantastic and I’m sure both fig lovers and haters would love it.
Thank YOU my friend!!! I’ve always found a fig to be like a peach or apricot – it’s best when picked ripe right off of the tree. But the nice thing about figs is that they do ripen if picked green and they ripen very quickly. Peaches and apricots just get mushy if picked early. My SIL here in town has a fig tree and when it produces, she always treats me with some tree ripened figs. Needless to say, I eat those because it’s such a treat to get them.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve had dried figs. I think I like them. 🙂
I’ve just spied some figs at the farmer’s market here. Do you know what kind you buy? They had about three varieties so I didn’t buy them because I wasn’t sure what kind taste best. I’d love to try this! xx
Hey Barb! The types of figs we get here are normally the Brown Turkey or the Black Mission. Sometimes I see the Sierra with the green skin, but I prefer the dark skinned figs. Of course it is all personal taste. I do find the Brown Turkey nice a sweet and those are what I normally use for this jam. Thanks for dropping by! Hope you are doing well.
This is a really unique recipe. I have never made jam with figs and jello before but this sounds fun and a must try. It even has the little seeds like strawberries have. Mom’s always have the coolest recipes.
I guess it was unique when it was first published but I remember as a kid, that not just my mother, but all of my friends’ mothers were making it. It was quite popular in the 60s. And yes, Moms do always have the coolest recipes. 🙂
I’ve never seen this before! My hubby grew up in Texas where they had a giant fig tree. I didn’t know what a fig was until I was probably 25. Took awhile to get used to them but now I see the fascination. Would love to try this if I could just get my hands on some figs!
I guess I can relate to learning a common food later in life. I ate my first fresh asparagus at 23! Fresh vs. canned was like night and day! Fig season is so short lived that once they come in season, I go hunting for them. Thanks so much Abbe!
It is amazing how we connect food with people! There is no better tribute to your mom than remembering while making this preserve! The color is amazing! Pinned!
Isn’t that the truth?! And because I spent so much time in the kitchen with my mother I do get to connect with her quite a bit. 🙂 Thanks so much Katerina!
I wold be a card-carrying member of the fig club, MJ, if there were such a thing. Love them and love fig preserves.Pairing them with strawberries is a wonderful idea. I do need to give this a try and will be pinning it for just that reason. Thanks!
You and me both John! Like rhubarb my husband needs to strawberries, but once I add strawberries or strawberry flavor to either rhubarb or figs, he is all over it. 🙂
The really look like strawberries, I will get easily faked by this one 🙂
Thanks Raymund! It tests a lot like strawberries but us fig lovers can easily discern the fig. 🙂
What a nice homage to your mother. Memories and recipes just are a natural. My small potted fig tree just gives me just enough figs to eat daily during its season. I am certainly checking out the small batch jam link. A friend has asked me to make 8-9 pints for a “biscuit buffet” at her wedding reception.
Thanks so much Debra! It’s nice to have so many wonderful memories. Wish I had more of her recipes.:) It would be fun to take a variety of jams to the buffet. Small batch would be great for that. Enjoy!
I love the idea of this recipe. I suppose you can use any jello flavor? I bet peach or raspberry would be good too. I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I remember copying and pasting the items from “Things my mother taught me” into a binder that I keep of things that inspire me, and I still have it! I hope you find peace in knowing that your mom touched other people through you and what you share on your blog. Thank you!
Oh Diana…what sweet comments and so greatly appreciated. My mother inspired a lot of people and it’s very touching to know that you have been inspired by her as well through my blog. She would like that. Thank you so much for you kind words!
This recipe could definitely be used with other flavors of Jell-O. Both peach and raspberry sound good. I need to go find some more figs. 🙂
My family loves figs but I’ve never tried anything like this. Can’t wait to give it a try! Such a tribute to your Mother, I know you will treasure all the memories made in the kitchen together.
Thanks so much Jan! There are so many things I do in the kitchen that remind me of her – lots of treasures. I do hope you give this recipe a try. It’s really, really good!!
A wonderful tribute to your mom, MJ. The jam looks beautiful and delicious.
Thanks so much Angie! I appreciate your comments!
Just noticed that you recently lost your mother. My condolences! I know how hard that is. This recipe is such a neat tribute to her. I’m a big fig fan too, and these look wonderful. Thanks.
Thank you so much John. It has been very hard so I greatly appreciate your comments.
I use Raspberry Jello & it is “da bomb”~!!!!! Fig lover or not, you can”t resist this taste treat. 🙂
Have never used the Raspberry Jello. If I can get some more figs, I’ll give that a try. Thanks!
This recipe is new to me! I am the only one in my family who enjoys figs, but it might get them to have a change of heart with this mix of strawberry and fig! Homemade jam is always the best.
This recipe definitely works for those who don’t love figs. 🙂 Thanks Deb!