Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
figs, dried
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
Figs dried until their sugars concentrate into an intensely sweet, complex confection with flavors of wine, caramel, and fig jam — far more complex than fresh…
47 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Drying figs concentrates sugars (up to 70% of dry weight), creates Maillard browning in the skin and flesh, and develops volatile esters and lactones that are not present in fresh fruit — the result is a flavor many times more complex and intense than fresh figs. The best dried figs (Turkish Calimyrna, Greek Kalamata) are plump, soft, and still slightly sticky; they should be stored in an airtight container to prevent further moisture loss. Dried figs' intense sweetness and slight acidity make them natural companions for strong cheese (blue, aged goat, Manchego) and cured meat (prosciutto, salami). Simmered in red wine with spices they become a winter compote for duck and pork. In Moroccan tagines, dried figs with almonds and ras el hanout create the sweet-savory depth characteristic of the cuisine. In baking, chopped dried figs add intense sweetness, texture, and concentrated fruit flavor to breads, bars, and cakes where fresh figs would collapse and bleed.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
almonds
anise seeds
apples
apricots, dried
bananas
bay leaf
brandy
caramel
cheese, goat
cheese, manchego
cheese, parmesan
cheese, ricotta
cherries, dried
chestnuts
chocolate
cinnamon
cloves
coconut
coffee
cognac
cream
dates
game
ginger
honey
lemon, juice
lemon, zest
macadamia nuts
maple syrup
mascarpone
nutmeg
oats
orange, fruit
orange, juice
pastries
pears
pecans
pineapple
pistachios
prunes
quince
raisins, yellow
sugar, brown
sweet potatoes
vanilla
walnuts
wine, red, sweet
almonds
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
anise seeds
Anise Seeds adds warm spice complexity that plays against figs, dried's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
apples
Apples adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
apricots, dried
Apricots, Dried adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
bananas
Bananas adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
bay leaf
Bay Leaf complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
brandy
Brandy adds aromatic warmth and sweetness that helps bridge figs, dried into richer sauces, desserts, or composed plates.
caramel
Caramel adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
cheese, goat
Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, manchego
Cheese, Manchego adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, parmesan
Cheese, Parmesan adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, ricotta
Cheese, Ricotta adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cherries, dried
Cherries, Dried complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
chestnuts
Chestnuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
chocolate
Chocolate complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds warm spice complexity that plays against figs, dried's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
cloves
Cloves adds warm spice complexity that plays against figs, dried's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
coconut
Coconut complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
coffee
Coffee complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cognac
Cognac adds aromatic warmth and sweetness that helps bridge figs, dried into richer sauces, desserts, or composed plates.
cream
Cream adds richness and helps carry figs, dried's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
dates
Dates adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
game
Game adds savory richness and browned depth that gives figs, dried more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
ginger
Ginger brings heat or sharpness that wakes up figs, dried's milder flavors and adds contrast without needing to rebuild the whole dish.
honey
Honey adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and aromatic brightness that cuts through figs, dried's richer or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner and more lifted.
lemon, zest
Lemon, Zest brings acidity and aromatic brightness that cuts through figs, dried's richer or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner and more lifted.
macadamia nuts
Macadamia Nuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
maple syrup
Maple Syrup adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
mascarpone
Mascarpone adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
nutmeg
Nutmeg adds warm spice complexity that plays against figs, dried's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
oats
Oats gives figs, dried a neutral, starchy base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
orange, fruit
Orange, Fruit brings acidity and aromatic brightness that cuts through figs, dried's richer or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner and more lifted.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice brings acidity and aromatic brightness that cuts through figs, dried's richer or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner and more lifted.
pastries
Pastries gives figs, dried a neutral, starchy base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
pears
Pears adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
pecans
Pecans adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
pineapple
Pineapple adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
pistachios
Pistachios adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
prunes
Prunes complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
quince
Quince complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
raisins, yellow
Raisins, Yellow adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sweet potatoes
Sweet Potatoes gives figs, dried a neutral, starchy base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
vanilla
Vanilla complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
walnuts
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
wine, red, sweet
Wine, Red, Sweet adds acidity and aromatic depth that balances figs, dried and helps it work in dressings, sauces, and cooked preparations.
anise seeds
Anise Seeds adds warm spice complexity that plays against figs, dried's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
Apples adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Apricots, Dried adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Bananas adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Bay Leaf complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
brandy
Brandy adds aromatic warmth and sweetness that helps bridge figs, dried into richer sauces, desserts, or composed plates.
Caramel adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Manchego adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Parmesan adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Ricotta adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cherries, dried
Cherries, Dried complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Chestnuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
chocolate
Chocolate complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Cinnamon adds warm spice complexity that plays against figs, dried's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
Cloves adds warm spice complexity that plays against figs, dried's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
coconut
Coconut complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
coffee
Coffee complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Cognac adds aromatic warmth and sweetness that helps bridge figs, dried into richer sauces, desserts, or composed plates.
cream
Cream adds richness and helps carry figs, dried's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Dates adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Game adds savory richness and browned depth that gives figs, dried more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Ginger brings heat or sharpness that wakes up figs, dried's milder flavors and adds contrast without needing to rebuild the whole dish.
Honey adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and aromatic brightness that cuts through figs, dried's richer or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner and more lifted.
lemon, zest
Lemon, Zest brings acidity and aromatic brightness that cuts through figs, dried's richer or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner and more lifted.
Macadamia Nuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
Maple Syrup adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Mascarpone adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give figs, dried more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Nutmeg adds warm spice complexity that plays against figs, dried's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
Oats gives figs, dried a neutral, starchy base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
orange, fruit
Orange, Fruit brings acidity and aromatic brightness that cuts through figs, dried's richer or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner and more lifted.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice brings acidity and aromatic brightness that cuts through figs, dried's richer or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner and more lifted.
pastries
Pastries gives figs, dried a neutral, starchy base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Pears adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Pecans adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
pineapple
Pineapple adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Pistachios adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
Prunes complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Quince complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
raisins, yellow
Raisins, Yellow adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens figs, dried's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Sweet Potatoes gives figs, dried a neutral, starchy base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Vanilla complements figs, dried by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements figs, dried's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
wine, red, sweet
Wine, Red, Sweet adds acidity and aromatic depth that balances figs, dried and helps it work in dressings, sauces, and cooked preparations.