Published on January 11, 2023
Homemade Preserves Keep for 12 to 18 Months
Home canned goods are a top tip for enjoying Québec-grown foods all winter. Did you know these colourful jars can keep up to 1 ½ years in the pantry ? If you’re wondering how to make your own preserves, here’s a quick guide :
How to make homemade preserves?
- Start with a large pot big enough to fully immerse your canning jars.
- Before filling, sterilize jars by boiling them about 5 minutes. You can reuse jars and screw bands, but it’s essential to use new lids to ensure proper sealing.
- Activate the sealing disks by plunging them in hot (not boiling) water.
- Fill your jars with your recipes — jams, pickles, sauces, etc. — leaving about 1 cm of headspace. Wipe any residue from the rims before closing lids.
- Close the jars (don’t over-tighten), then immerse them one by one in boiling water and follow the sterilization time from your recipe.
- Remove jars carefully with tongs (they’ll be hot!), and let them rest on a towel for ~24 hours.
Tip for checking seal: If the lid is concave (curved inward), the jar is properly sealed. You may also hear a “pop” during resting — that’s a good sign.
If a jar doesn’t seal properly, store it in the fridge and consume quickly. For optimal shelf life, keep your preserves in a cool, dark place. Also — don’t forget to label each jar with its preparation date.
Enjoy your homemade preserves! 🌿
