How to Can Spaghetti Sauce at Home

canned spaghetti sauce

There is nothing better than homemade spaghetti sauce! Whether you’re keeping an eye on your health – homemade spaghetti sauce has far less sugar and sodium than the storebought varieties – or you simply prefer the taste of fresh sauce, making and canning your own sauce is a great way to make the most of … Read more

How to Can Tomatoes

canned tomatoes

Nothing says summer quite like sweet, homemade canned tomatoes. Canning tomatoes always makes me feel a little bit bittersweet. On one hand, I love being able to enjoy the delicious bounty of a summer’s hard work in the garden. On the other hand, the time in which it is time to can tomatoes marks the … Read more

How to Pressure Can Salsa Step by Step

a jar of canned salsa

I’m pretty sure salsa was invented by someone who had no idea what to do with all the extra tomatoes, peppers, onions, and jalapenos in his garden. Throw a few ingredients in here, a couple more there, add some spices, and voila! Tasty salsa. I’m just kidding, of course. But when it comes right down … Read more

Oven Dry Canning 101

four cans of dry goods

Oven dry canning isn’t actually canning. It is referred to as canning because it is the process of putting food up in mason jars for longevity. Oven canning dry foods is not a new technique, either. It has actually been around since the 1940s. What Exactly Is Dry Canning? Dry canning is a method of … Read more

How to Can the Best Grape Jelly

For years, grape jelly has always been my go-to jelly for peanut butter sandwiches and even meatballs! Yes, I have a recipe for slow cooker meatballs that require a jar of grape jelly to be pored over them and they are DELICIOUS. When my kids were little they always asked for grape jelly. If I … Read more

How to Can Vegetable Soup Step by Step

vegetable soup

With the fall months quickly nipping at my heels, I am beyond ready to start canning up my favorite winter soups. A family favorite is homemade vegetables… My kids and husband love reaching for a jar off the pantry shelves during the blusteriest parts of winter. Nothing beats a hot bowl of homemade soup when … Read more

Canned Apple Butter, Step by Step

apple butter

It’s time to make some delicious apple butter! If you’re lucky, you’ll be picking a few bushels right on your homestead; however, even if you don’t have your own apple trees (yet!), fresh apples are abundant at farmers markets and pick-your-own orchards this time of year. So how can you take advantage of a good … Read more

Blueberry Jam Step by Step

blueberry jam main

Are you ready to make some blueberry jam? If you’re a homesteader, finding a way to preserve delicious easy-to-grow fruits like blueberries should be a top goal this year. Making jam is easy, inexpensive, and can help you get the most for your dollar; and if you grow your own blueberries, you can make this … Read more

How to Pickle Garlic Step by Step

jars of pickled garlic

Garlic is a superstar in your garden, and pickled garlic is one of the best ways to enjoy this tasty vegetable. More and more people are growing garlic on their homesteads. It’s also easy to get your hands on garlic, even in bulk, at nearly any grocery store. However, most people use garlic solely to … Read more

The Top Canning Tools and Equipment You Need

canners and jars

Canning is a great way to preserve the foods you harvest, forage, hunt, or buy. Once you learn how to can, you will be able to keep your pantry stocked all year long. If you sell foods at a farmers’ market or run a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, foods like canned jams and pickles … Read more

Canning Jar Sterilization Methods

four empty Ball canning jars

It is not always necessary to sterilize jars if you plan to process your recipe for more than 10 minutes for elevations of less than 1000 ft. If you live above the 1000ft elevation, you’ll need to add an extra minute to the process time, for each additional 1000ft of elevation. It is also not … Read more

Cranberry Walnut Conserve Step by Step

cranberry walnut conserve logo

Cranberry walnut conserve is easy to make at home and preserve for use over the next year. It is also impossible to find in stores. And as a homesteader, you’re all about making as many things by hand that you can and improving the life experiences your family and you have, right? Well, let’s look … Read more