The Best Way To Store Fresh Figs And How Long They Last In The Fridge And Freezer

Figs are the closest thing to eating jam straight off the tree. Ranging from light green to deep purple, these delicate fruits can be found in grocery stores or farmers markets from late spring to early fall, depending on where you live. If you buy figs, keep in mind that fresh figs only stay fresh for about 3 days on the countertop. If you can't eat all of them fast enough, there are a few tips for storing figs to extend their life. 

For starters, keep them in the fridge rather than at room temperature. Before storing, check for moldy or broken ones and remove to keep the good ones mold-free. Place paper towels in the basket or container to absorb any excess moisture, and use an airtight container to prevent stronger scents in the fridge from altering the figs' delicate flavor. This will extend the shelf life from a few days to a week. 

You can also store figs in the freezer for up to six months. First, rinse them off gently, and pat dry. Lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and set them in the freezer until completely frozen, for about 4-6 hours. Transfer the figs to an airtight plastic bag and keep them stored in the freezer. Another option is to slice figs into quarters and mix them with sugar before storing in airtight containers in the freezer; follow a ratio of 1 cup of sugar for every 5 cups of fruit.

Some diverse and flavorful fig recipes can be made from your frozen fruit, including both sweet and savory options. In the beverage category, try making a fig syrup that can be used for cocktails. Alternatively, frozen figs can be blended into smoothies, like this protein-packed vanilla fig smoothie. Fig jam, a classic solution for an abundance of fruit, can be made from both frozen and fresh fruit. Baked goods are always a good idea for using up figs, and recipes like cheesecake, sweet breads, muffins, and our upside-down fig cake with bay leaf caramel are just a few ideas. 

Figs can commonly be found packaged and dried, and it is possible to dry figs at home too. Dried figs can be added to granola, trail mix, charcuterie boards, or eaten on their own. Using a dehydrator, dry the figs at 140 F for 6-12 hours, checking and turning every 3 hours. If you don't have a dehydrator, figs can be dried in an oven by heating slowly at 200 F for 8 hours, checking and turning every hour or so.