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Another Day of Canning

As we build up our supply of canned ready to heat and eat foods in the storage pantry, I’ve been canning almost non-stop . . or so it seems.

Canner

Canner

If canners could talk, this one would probably be asking why it’s been stuck in the closet for months and is now getting used every day. This is the big old 30 quart canner . . which means it holds 30 quarts of water, not 30 quart jars! It’s heavy when it’s empty but once a bit of water is added to it, it’s really heavy.

Beef Tips

Beef Tips

Yesterday I canned 15 pints of beef tips with mushrooms. When canning or stashing food for storage, I always try to save only the foods we love and this is something I love! The gravy from these jars is amazing! This is pretty versatile too because there’s a lot that can be done with the contents.

  • Sour cream could be added and it could be served over noodles.
  • The gravy can be thickened and it can be served over mashed potatoes or rice.
  • Carrots, potatoes and other veggies can be added for a beef stew.
Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati Chili

On the other hand, there are foods I can that I don’t like but Vince loves. Cincinnati Chili is one of those things. I don’t like it any way you fix it but I make it for him. I call it “Good Wife Chili” and he knows exactly what I’m talking about when I mention it by that name. But, there are now 16 pints of Cincinnati Chili in the pantry!

There’s a pork loin to be used today. Not sure what I’m going to make with that but it will be something . . yummy I hope!  🙂

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I make a great pulled pork in the crock pot. You could make something like that. Yum Yum!

    • I was wanting something I could can and I prefer to can meat with liquid but I would love your pulled pork in the crockpot recipe. I do love pulled pork!

  2. Galen’s Mom always had canned pork sirloin with gravy ready to heat up. That was one of my favorite meals when we would be there for a visit. But often she thought that was too ordinary so would make salmon cakes for lunch instead! Not one of my favorite meals, but I did so love her canned pork tenderloin. Of course they butchered their own hogs so pork was plentiful.

  3. You are my hero! I love having canned beef, venison, elk and chicken in the pantry. I’ll have to research beef and mushrooms. I’d like some for breakfast right now. 🙂

  4. I’m learning to can and we do the vegies from the garden. Are there special things I need to know about canning meat?? Where do you find recipes that you know are safe?? I’d like to give this a try, so we will have good meals on hand if the power is out for a few days or weeks.
    Thanks for the help!!

  5. can meat only be processed in a pressure canner? not a boiling water bath? I don’t have a pressure canner so wondered. For that matter I don’t have a pressure cooker either – I’ve always been afraid of them LOL

  6. My boyfriend loves canned sausage. His mother cans it still and keeps him supplied. I think it’s a little odd but didn’t grow up eating any canned meats. My family didn’t can either but I want to learn.

    We have roast pork loin with crash hot potatoes and glazed carrots. I marinate it in veg oil, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, and chili powder. It’s a favorite in my home.

  7. I got into meats the first time last year when I had an outstanding buy on excellent skinless, boneless chicken breasts. I’m so happy I did, because it’s so easy to grab a can and fix anything chickeny very quickly. P. S. Don’t mention this around your coop!

  8. Judy, will you share your recipe for canning the beef tips and gravy?? I am really interested in this. Also, for those that are asking, you must use a pressure canner, you cannot get high enough temps in a water bath canner. All-low acid foods must be pressure canned (I am a county Extension agent and answer this question all the time.)

    Chris

    • Hi Susan. I freeze good buys like your chicken but am now considering canning them instead. I sometimes freeze the chicken in a marinade & while it thaws it’s soaking up the flavors. Do you can chicken raw & then it cooks while in the pressure cooker? Can you marinate it raw in the jar then can the chicken?
      I’ve only canned fruit butters because they’re easy & make impressive Christmas gifts. I freeze a lot of ready-to-eat meals, but canning would be a good idea to try also.

  10. The beef tips sound wonderful and made me hungry for beef tips and mushroom gravy over rice. Yum! My mom canned a lot of beef and chicken, and it really was tasty.

  12. Tell Vince whenever he wants a partner to eat Cincinnati Chili with, I’ll be right over – lol. I grew up in Cincinnati, and my bff keeps me supplied with the spice packets they sell there and all I have to add is ground beef and tomato paste. I usually cook in crockpot. Yumm, now I’m going to have to make some.

    • Kroger used to have the spice packets and they even have canned Cincinnati Chili. They may have the packets still but I just make mine from scratch.

  14. Yes, I would love the recipe for the beef tips with mushrooms. I searched your site for it, but didn’t see it. That sounds like my kind of thing to can, but I’d probably have to serve it over steamed brussells sprouts! ;D

  15. I love to can, and it tastes even better when one is opening it during a rainstorm, chilly day or wintertime.

  16. Judy, I don’t want to can it but how do you prepare your meat for the beef tips? What cut of meat did you use? I looked on line and several recipes use steak and others a roast. Do you cook in a crock pot and then can it? I would love a good recipe for the beef tips. I promise not to sue you if I don’t like it.

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