Canning cooked food is possible, but it is not the same as canning fresh food. When canning cooked food, it is important to keep in mind that the food has already been cooked and will not have the same texture or flavor as if it was canned from fresh ingredients.
Additionally, there are a few additional steps that must be taken when canning cooked food.
Choose Foods Carefully
When considering what types of foods to can, opt for those that are hearty and dense such as meatloaf, stews, chilis, and casseroles. These types of dishes hold up well when canned and will maintain their flavor. Avoid delicate items like fish or vegetables as they will become mushy during the canning process.
Heat Canning Liquid
When using a pressure canner to heat and seal cans of cooked food, it is important to heat the liquid prior to adding it to the jars. Heating the liquid helps to ensure that all air pockets are removed from the jars before sealing them and prevents spoilage.
Sterilize Canning Jars
Before filling them with cooked food, sterilize both the lids and jars of a pressure canner by boiling them for 10 minutes in hot water. This helps kill any bacteria or microorganisms that may be present on the jars.
Processing Time
The amount of time needed in order to properly process cans of cooked food is longer than for fresh foods. Depending on what type of food is being canned, processing time may range from 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on your pressure canner’s instructions.
Conclusion:
Canning cooked food is possible but requires extra steps in order to ensure proper safety standards are met. It is important to choose hearty ingredients that will hold their shape during processing and to sterilize both lids and jars before adding any ingredients. Additionally, canned cooked foods should be processed for a longer period of time than fresh foods in order to kill any bacteria present in the jars.