Gettin’ figgy with it! Our favorite dried & fresh fig recipes.
It’s officially fig season which means you are probably looking for lots of new-to-you fresh fig recipes to try! Whether you are into sweet or savory fig preparations this is the ultimate fresh fig recipe round-up for you.
Few fruits are so entangled within world history as the fig!
Figs are considered one of the first domesticated crops and are mentioned in texts from every major religion as symbols of prosperity, fertility, and peace. Some biblical scholars even believe that Eve was tempted by a fig rather than an apple! If you think about it, it sure makes a lot of sense. Their smooth, graceful curves and seductive sweetness make them pretty hard to resist.
Like many fruits, figs were first brought to California by Spanish missionaries. The Mission variety was planted by Franciscan monks in San Diego around 1768. European settlers eventually introduced additional varieties but the original Mission fig remains the most widely grown. While there are thousands of varieties of figs grown throughout the world, California specializes in just six different varieties; Mission, Brown Turkey, Kadota, Sierra, Tiger and Golden.
Today, California is responsible for 98% of the country’s fresh fig crop, and 100% of the nation’s dried figs. Although figs were originally planted in coastal regions, much of the Golden State’s production has moved further inland. Figs prefer dry, warm temperatures and flourish in the Central Valley, Riverside, and the Imperial Valley.
Now that you know a little bit more about figs, we thought we would share some of our favorite California Grown Fresh Fig recipes for you to try.
Fresh figs are in season from May to November and dried figs are available year-round which means you need lots of fresh fig recipes for everything from summer popsicles to holiday salads!
Fresh Fig Compote and Lemon White Chocolate Crème Brûlée
Rich, decadent, Lemon and White Chocolate Crème Brûlée sits atop a fresh fig compote that envokes childlike nostalgia with every spoon full.
This dessert is reminiscent of the fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt cups you loved as a kid, but with a mature dessert spin for your sophisticated palate.
Berry Fig Tart
This tart recipe from Eat the Love is made with a California walnut studded crust that is baked to perfection, then filled with honey-spiked goat cheese, and topped with peak season blackberries and sultry fresh figs. Get ready to indulge all of your senses with a slice!
Fig Caprese
If you’re enjoying a fresh fig this summer, there’s a good chance it’s from the Golden State. California is responsible for 98% of the nation’s fig crop!
No Crumb’s Left shared a gorgeous way to showcase California’s bounty recently and we couldn’t wait to try it!
Fig & Pear Panini
Beautiful fresh figs pair perfectly with pears in this grown-up grilled cheese.
Baked Eggplant with California Figs and Leeks
Try this beautiful and delicious gluten-free recipe for Baked Eggplant with California Figs and Leeks from KC the G-Free Foodie – it’s easy to make, healthy, tasty and impressive. What’s not to love?
Fig, Pistachio and Honey Goat Cheese Bites
This fig forward tapas recipe from This Mess is Ours is perfect for your next date night in!
Fig and Cherry Pistachio Tart
Did you know that California Figs have the highest sugar content of all fruit?
Their sugary sweetness actually helps baked goods to stay fresh and moist. At least that’s what our friends at Bakes by Brown Sugar tell us. We haven’t managed to keep this fresh fig recipe around long enough to confirm their claim.
Figgy Brioche Buns with Rosemary Icing
Breakfast or dessert? Britney’s Figgy Brioche Buns pair perfectly with your morning coffee or an afternoon cup of tea.
Thanksgiving Surplus Salad
Leftovers have never looked better. This Surplus Salad can be thrown together in minutes using what’s left of your Thanksgiving Day feast.
Fig Focaccia
California Figs are a welcome addition to homemade Focaccia Bread. Our friend Irvin tops this beauty with a delectable Honey Lemon Glaze.
Spicy California Fig and Tomato Salsa
Fresh fig recipes like this one from California Figs are not only super delish they are really inventive as well! This spicy meets sweet salsa with salty chips pairs perfectly with a glass of wine and your favorite movie.
Fig Pizza
Fans of sweet and savory pairings will fall hard for this fig recipe from No Crumbs Left. Make it year-round, since dried figs are the star!
Black Mission Fig and Almond Popsicles
Fun fact: California Figs are an excellent source of calcium. It’s true! One-half cup of figs contains as much calcium as a half cup of milk.
That is why fresh fig recipes like these popsicles are our favorite way to get our recommended daily allowance.
Chocolate Covered California Figs with Sea Salt
Our friends at California Figs like to keep their fresh fig recipes simple. They recommend dipping fresh and/or dried California Figs in melted chocolate then finishing them off with a dusting of flaky sea salt. So easy and so good!
Flying Fig Cocktail
Our friends at Chowhound know a thing or two about fresh fig recipes!! This is one of those fresh fig recipes that just keeps us coming back again and again.
This cocktail celebrates the flavor of ripe figs by muddling them with elderflower liqueur then shaking them in a cocktail shaker with vodka, lots of lemon juice, and agave nectar. This floral, sweet-tart drink is a refreshing way to enjoy fresh figs.
Moroccan Chicken
Make this simple chicken recipe from GFree Foodie on the stove, in the oven, in an InstantPot, or in your slow cooker.
No matter how you prepare it, the savory sauce made of spices, tomato, and dried figs is sure to be a favorite.
Like what you see? Check out our Pinterest page and be sure to follow us on social (@cagrown) for lots of other amazing recipes starring California Grown produce, fun facts, and awesome giveaways!
Be sure to use #CAGROWN when you try these California Grown Fig recipes and post a photo!
Frequently asked questions about fresh figs.
Look for California Grown or Product of USA. 100% of dried figs and 98% of fresh figs grown commercially in the U.S. are from California.
California Fresh Figs are available mid-May through November. The season can vary slightly from year to year due to the weather. The availability is also different for each variety. For example, Black Mission are available mid-May through November while Tiger Figs are available mid-July through November.
You can find the Ca Grown seasonality guide here!
Did you know figs are technically an inverted flower, not a fruit? That means pollination is needed for figs to survive and thrive. However, 99% of California Grown Figs are self-pollinating. The one variety of fig tree still remaining in California that is pollinated by wasps is being replaced by a new fig tree variety with the goal of 100% self-pollinating fig trees in California. Another reason to look for the CA Grown seal!
This roundup updated 8/3/2021 with new images, recipes, and information about California Grown figs.
Hi.. we love figs but can never find here. I used to stop at a farm ranch in Morgan Hill that a hand written sign for figs n they were INCREDIBLE! Now that ranch is gone.. townhomes going in. Any suggestions on buying a crate of figs in my area? Thank you!