How to Freeze Figs

Figs are a delicious fruit that can be frozen for up to 6 months. Learning how to freeze figs is what this article will cover.

There are two ways you can freeze figs- the individual quick-freeze method or the sugar freezer method. These methods work on ripe or unripe figs, so you don’t have to worry about picking over your fruit before freezing them.

However, you don’t want to freeze overly ripe figs, or figs with mold on them. If you happen to have some of the

sweetest fig varieties on hand like Bursa fig or Kadota figs then you may want to freeze some of these figs since they will not last long on your counter.

Yes, you can easily freeze figs. There are so many things you can use them for. Just be aware that the texture of the thawed fig will be less than perfect. Similar to how when you freeze coconut milk the texture also changes, this is not a bad thing, just something to be aware of.

Since figs only last for about 5 days on the counter, refrigeration is necessary if you can’t eat them all. When refrigerated, you can store the figs for up to 7 days, but if frozen, fresh figs could be kept for 6-8 months.

Since figs are a fruit that is propagated from a single branch it makes sense that they are found all over the world now. Originally the fig trees were found in the middle east. If you plant a fig tree now, it will bear fruit for a century or more. So you will be allowing generations of people to enjoy figs!

Some popular varieties of figs are Alma, Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Calimyrna, Sierra, Tena, and Ventura. All of these varieties are good to eat fresh, but they are also great for canning or freezing.

Figs are really quite low in calories- one medium fig is about 37 calories! That is not much considering the fact that it is a fruit! Figs have an average of about 5 grams of fiber per serving which is very important for your diet. For example, if you eat about 8 figs a day it could make up to 1/3 of your daily fiber intake!

Figs are often green but sometimes they are yellow, red, or brown. They have a very unique sweet taste that is unlike any other.

Do fresh figs need to be refrigerated?

They do not need to but if you choose not to put your fresh figs in the fridge then they will get moldy fast. Figs do not last long on the counter. If you know you will eat them within 1-2 days of purchase then leave them out. However, if you can’t eat all of your figs right away then put your fresh figs inside of the refrigerator. They will last longer.

figs are easy to freeze if you have a fig tree with a bounty

First Easy Method on How to Freeze Figs

Whether you freezing carrots or freezing figs, there is a method to follow.

Individual, quick-freeze method for figs

Wash them thoroughly and, setting aside any that are very soft, space them out on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet in the freezer. When the figs are completely frozen, transfer to freezer bags.

Sugar Freezer Method You can also peel them, quarter or slice them, and combine them with sugar (1 cup sugar per 5 cups of fruit) before packing and freezing in tightly covered freezer containers.

Refrigeration will allow you to enjoy your figs for a few more days. If you notice your figs are getting a white powdery substance on the outside of the skin, this is usually the sugars. However, refrigeration can preserve figs and allow them to last longer. Once you buy or pick ripe figs, you only have a few days to eat them. Figs go rancid quickly, which is why many people wonder about freezing them.

If you decide to freeze the figs, please be aware that they will become mushy when defrosted and use them. There are many great recipes you can use the mushy frozen figs. Learning how to freeze figs will make your life easier, especially if you have a fig tree.

If you have a particular dish you want to make with the figs, freezing them would probably be more accessible than canning.

Freezing fresh fruit is one of the simplest ways to preserve your harvest or seasonal fruit. Keep in mind that freezing any fruit will change the taste and texture a bit, so if you plan to freeze figs, be sure to add some acid, such as citrus juice or acetic acid.

How To Freeze Figs: 4 Steps

First, rinse the figs off and sort out any figs that are overly ripe, mushy, or on the verge of going bad.

Second, pat all the figs dry with a paper towel. Drying the figs is a crucial step when learning how to freeze figs. If you skip this step, your figs will get ice crystals forming on them from the water; then, when you defrost them, they will be even mushier.

Thirdly line up your figs on a flat surface and freeze them for 5-7 hours.

Fourthly transfer the frozen figs into airtight containers or zip lock bags.

An alternative method for how to freeze figs

Cut the figs into pieces and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle sugar over the entire bowl of figs, making sure you cover all figs in the sugar pack; after transferring, when you defrost the sugared figs to a ziplock bag and place them back in the freezer.

When you learn how to freeze figs using this method you will see that the sugar will draw out the moisture in the figs. Allowing the texture not to be so mushy. Make sure to drain off the sugar syrup before using the frozen figs. If you don’t have a colander feel free to use a pasta pot with strainer. You will just have to make sure you keep actively draining the liquid.

How To Thaw Frozen Figs

Place the frozen figs in a colander on top of a bowl. Then allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for 4-10 hours before using them. Allowing the figs time to thaw will let the juices drain off. If you don’t allow the fig juices to drain off, you may have a messy mushy pile of figs.

If you want to can the figs, it is a relatively simple process. All you have to do is remove the stem from each fig, then place them in a large pot and cover them with water. Heat until boiling and boil for 5 minutes.

Next, drain the hot water from the pot and refill with cold water and ice cubes until the water is cold.

Finally, drain the water from the figs and set them aside. Pack your fruit into hot jars while taking care to leave 1/4-inch headspace at the top of each jar for expansion during processing.

Canning Figs takes around 10 minutes in a boiling water bath canner or 20 minutes in a dial-gauge pressure canner at 11 pounds of pressure.

Recipe Ideas for Using Your Frozen Figs

Don’t be scared of the mushy figs you will get after you thaw them. You can easily use these as a spread on toast, a topper for pizza, or something healthy to spread on a cracker.

Fig and Ricotta Croissant

Pairing figs with cheese is a great way to use your frozen figs.

Pizza with frozen fig topping

– Classic Tzatziki with Frozen Figs Blended

– Spiced Apple Cake with Ice Cream topped with Frozen Figs

– Savory French Toast with Frozen Fig topping

– Fig and Strawberry Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

– Fig and Feta Wrap

– Frozen Figs blended into ice cream

– Warm Goat Cheese Salad with Pears and Honey Must-Roasted Fig Vinaigrette

– Frozen Figs blended into a smoothie

These are just a few recipes you can make using your frozen figs.

There are countless other recipes for you to try out when learning how to freeze figs.

Conclusion for How to Freeze Figs

Freezing your figs is a great way to make sure you have a healthy sweet treat in the dead of winter when it seems all the fruit is not at its peak.