Canning recipes can feel a little overwhelming at first—especially if you didn’t grow up watching someone do it.

When I first started homesteading, canning felt like this big, intimidating project—like something only our grandmothers did with giant kettles and a day’s worth of free time.

But I quickly realized just how empowering it was to preserve my own food.

It meant fewer trips to the store, more control over ingredients, and real peace of mind knowing that I could take care of myself and my family, no matter what.

This ultimate list of home canning recipes is my go-to resource when I’m staring down a pile of fresh produce and thinking, “What now?”

Whether you’re swimming in apples, tomatoes, or even rose petals, I’ve got a recipe here to help you preserve it with confidence.

Table of Contents

What is Canning (and Why Should You Do It?)

Canning is a time-tested method of preserving food in jars using heat—either through water bath or pressure canning—to kill bacteria and seal food safely for shelf storage.

In the past, nearly every household canned out of necessity.

These days, most of our food is factory-made, overly processed, and packed with preservatives.

But there’s no need to rely on that.

When you learn to can your own food, you gain back control—just like our ancestors did.

And let’s be honest: having your own shelf-stable pantry packed with homemade stew, pie filling, and vinegars?

That’s about as satisfying as it gets.

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✔️ Food Preservation Worksheets
✔️ Chalkboard-Style Mason Jar Labels
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Canning Fruits at Home

Fruit canning is one of the easiest and most rewarding places to begin.

The high acidity means most of these recipes are water bath safe—no pressure canner required.

Red Hot Apple Wedges – Sweet, spicy, and totally unexpected!
How To Easily Start Canning Blueberries – Preserve that summer harvest.
Apple Canning Recipes – My go-to is plain syrup.
How To Make Raspberry Vinegar – Perfect drizzled on pork or salad greens.
Cinnamon Chocolate Mint Fruit Cocktail – A little quirky, but a crowd-pleaser!
How To Make Homemade Maraschino Cherries – So much better than store-bought.
Five Spice Cherry Canning Recipe – Complex flavor, gorgeous color.
Delicious Raspberry-Chocolate Sundae Topper – Amazing over ice cream or yogurt.
How To Make Homemade Honey – Uses wild herbs and flowers for flavor.
How To Make Rose Petal Jelly – From organically grown roses, it’s just lovely.

These recipes also make thoughtful gifts—and they’re a great way to use up surplus fruit.

Fruit Butters & Marmalades Section

Some of my favorite canning recipes aren’t jams or jellies—they’re thick, velvety fruit butters and marmalades.

These spreads are perfect on toast, biscuits, or swirled into oatmeal. They also make beautiful holiday gifts!

Caramel Pecan Apple Butter Recipe – A decadent fall preserve with warm spices and nutty sweetness.
Homemade Pear Butter – Smooth, lightly spiced, and oh-so-easy to can.
Clementine Marmalade Recipe – Bright citrus flavor with a seasonal twist!

Foraged & Flower Jellies

Queen Anne’s Lace Jelly – Delicate, floral, and absolutely beautiful in small jars. I love this one for springtime foraging. It feels like bottling up a bit of sunshine and wild meadows.

Canning Vegetables at Home

When you’re up to your elbows in garden vegetables, it’s time to fire up the canner.

Some of these require pressure canning, but they’re well worth learning.

Canning Broccoli – While no longer recommended for water bath, I’ve got alternatives!
Preserving Fresh Green Beans For Winter – Easy, delicious, and great for winter meals.
Preserving Citrus Fruits – For bulk buyers, warm climate growers, or gifted produce.
Canning At Home – Includes my tips for prepping veggies and keeping gear clean.

Vegetables are your winter pantry powerhouses—perfect for soups, sides, and casseroles.

📦 BONUS: Want a Printable Recipe Tracker?

Sign up today and I’ll send you my exclusive canning recipe log sheet—with space to track what you’ve canned, how much, and your notes for next time.

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Pantry Staples: Sauces, Condiments + More

These are the “why didn’t I do this sooner?” recipes that save money and taste incredible.

How To Make Homemade Ketchup – From your garden tomatoes!
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe – Tangy, sweet, and customizable.
Orange-Cranberry Vinegar And Marinade – A zingy seasonal favorite.
Homemade Beef Stew Recipe For Canning – Reheat, eat, and be done.
How To Make Cajeta Goat Milk Caramel – Decadent and dairy-rich.

These add variety to your meals and are a lifesaver on nights when cooking from scratch isn’t an option.

Food Preservation Tips + Off-Season Ideas

There’s more to food preservation than just summer canning.

Importance Of Food Preservation Inventory – Keep track of what you’ve canned.
Four Factors That Affect Food Storage – Air, moisture, pests, and temperature.
Try These Off-Season Preservation Ideas – Great for winter produce, too!
Canning Food: Is It Worth The Time And Effort? (Short answer: absolutely.)
Packing and Sterilizing Canning Jars - This foundational post covers the right way to clean, pack, and sterilize jars - an essential step for both beginners and seasoned canners.

Your pantry isn’t just a place to store food—it’s a living extension of your garden.

More Ways To Preserve Nature’s Sweetness

Maple Tapping Tree Kit Guide - While it’s not canning in the traditional sense, tapping your own trees and preserving maple syrup is a fantastic way to expand your self-sufficiency skills.

Helpful Tools & New Gadgets

New Food Preservation Products I’m Trying – Great for people who want to stay up-to-date with tech and tools that make canning easier.

🫙 Ready to Start Canning?

🎁 Grab your FREE Homestead Starter Kit + 10-Day Canning eCourse!
Includes printable checklists, beginner-friendly guides, and tips from my own homestead kitchen to help you get started with confidence.

✔️ Basic Homesteading Sheets
✔️ Food Preservation Worksheets
✔️ Chalkboard Mason Jar Labels
✔️ Planting Calendar

👉 Free with your email subscription!

👉 Sign Up Here to Get Started!

Let’s Make Your Pantry Proud

There’s something sacred about home canning.

It’s more than food—it’s a ritual of care, resilience, and trust in your own two hands.

It’s proof that you don’t need a big budget or a grocery store trip to provide real nourishment.

So, whether you’re standing in your kitchen with 30 pounds of apples, a few bags of wild berries, or a single bunch of fresh-picked herbs—there’s a recipe here for you.

Every jar you put on your shelf is a victory.

And I’m right here, cheering you on.

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Have A Canning Question Or Favorite Recipe?

Drop it in the comments or tag me on social @SheriAnnRicherson - I’d love to see what you’re preserving!