When your garden starts going gangbusters, get out those Mason jars! We've got dozens of ways to preserve berries, tomatoes, rhubarb and, yes, even zucchini, so you can savor sunny days all year round.
Our Favorite Canning Recipes
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Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles
I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles too. I think you'll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois
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Canning Spaghetti Sauce
Canning spaghetti sauce is a delicious way to preserve garden-fresh tomatoes. Here's how to can spaghetti sauce in a water bath—no pressure canner required.
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Raspberry Peach Jam
When my jam won a first-place pink ribbon at our local county fair, I was overjoyed but it's not the highest compliment that recipe has received. Two girlfriends that I share it with tell me if they don't hide the jam from their husbands and children, they'll devour an entire jarful at just a sitting! —Patricia Larsen, Leslieville, Alberta
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Rhubarb Jelly
I help help my husband with the pouring and skimming for this jelly—my own personal favorite. It's nice as both a breakfast spread and a topping for pork or other meat. —Jean Coleman, Ottawa, Ontario
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Ginger Pear Freezer Jam
At dinner with friends one evening, one of our hosts served some pears she had preserved with ginger and lemon. The flavor was so heavenly I decided to use the fresh pears she gave us to try my hand at a ginger and lemon freezer jam.—Jeni Pittard, Commerce, Georgia
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Yellow Summer Squash Relish
My friends can barely wait for the growing season to arrive so I can make this incredible squash relish. The color really dresses up a hot dog. —Ruth Hawkins, Jackson, Mississippi
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Mild Salsa Recipe for Canning
This mild salsa recipe for canning helps keep summer goodness stocked in the pantry year-round.
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Tomato Lemon Marmalade
This is a marmalade I make for our church bazaar every fall. It always sells out in no time at all.—Mrs. Helen Witt, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Cinnamon Blueberry Jam
Watching my grandmother can hundreds of jars of tomatoes, peaches and pears inspired me to try making jams and jellies myself. I can remember going down into her cellar as a girl—all those jars on the shelves gave me such a warm, homey feeling! My family enjoys this jam on warm corn muffins, or blueberry. The cinnamon's a bit of a surprise. —Barbara Burns, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
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Jalapeno Jelly
This sweet and spicy jalapeño jelly makes for the perfect dip, condiment or appetizer!
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Spicy Chunky Salsa
Vinegar adds a refreshing tang to this sweet tomato salsa. It's wonderful as is, but for more heat, leave in some hot pepper seeds. —Donna Goutermont, Sequim, Washington
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Rhubarb Marmalade
My daughter makes this marmalade every spring when rhubarb's abundant. Our family enjoys her gift…a refreshing departure in flavor from all the berry jams and jellies. —Leo Nerbonne, Delta Juction, Alaska
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Canned Blueberry Jam
Summer doesn't feel complete without at least one berry-picking trip and a batch of homemade blueberry jam. Eat atop fresh scones or biscuits for maximum enjoyment! —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Refrigerator Jalapeno Dill Pickles
I’m passionate about making pickles. My husband is passionate about eating them. He's too impatient to let them cure on the shelf, so I found this quick recipe to make him happy. Add hotter peppers if you like. —Annie Jensen, Roseau, Minnesota
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Cherry Jam
Turn your crop of tart cherries into a homemade cherry jam recipe. Four ingredients and canning tools are all you need to preserve your harvest.
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Pickled Green Beans
Make your summer produce go the extra mile with this easy pickled green beans recipe. We'll walk you through every step of making this tasty snack.
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Tri-Berry Jam
My mother-in-law and I dreamed up this jam after we'd been picking blueberries one day. She wondered if blueberries, raspberries and strawberries would taste good together. So she made a test batch—and we quickly learned that they definitely did! Then I came up with my own version of the jam. I preserve everything from our garden! —Karen Maerkle, Baltic, Connecticut
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Pickled Sweet Peppers
I love to can my homegrown produce. I call this recipe Summer in a Jar. The peppers have a nice combination of tart and spicy flavors. —Edna Clemens, West Branch, Michigan
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Chunky Peach Spread
Here's a fruit spread that captures the best tastes of late summer. I like that it's low in sugar and not overly sweet, which lets the fresh peach flavor shine right through. — Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Pickled Zucchini
From zoodles to bread, zucchini is a versatile vegetable. You can even transform it into pickled zucchini, too!
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Strawberry Basil Jam
I make this recipe with fresh-picked strawberries and basil grown in my own herb garden. This unique sweet and savory jam makes a perfect gift—just add a bright ribbon around the top with a gift tag! The deep red jam, laced with flecks of green basil, is so beautiful. —Julie O'Neil, Two Harbors, Minnesota
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Pickled Sweet Onions
These slightly crunchy pickled onions are not only a great gift for Christmas, but also a terrific contribution to a backyard barbecue as a relish for burgers and hot dogs. —Laura Winemiller, Delta, Pennsylvania
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Spiced Cran-Apple and Grape Conserve
Faced with an abundance of grapes from my garden, I wound up using them in various ways. This conserve was an afterthought, but I received so many great compliments from family and friends that I made sure to write down the recipe. I served it with crackers and Brie cheese, but it would be great with pork, chicken, ham and cheesecake, too. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
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Homemade Spicy Hot Sauce
I created this spicy recipe one day using what I had available from my garden: hot peppers, carrots, onions and garlic. The carrots make this recipe stand out. —Carolyn Wheel, Fairfax, Vermont
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Spiced Cran-Apple and Grape Conserve
Faced with an abundance of grapes from my garden, I wound up using them in various ways. This conserve was an afterthought, but I received so many great compliments from family and friends that I made sure to write down the recipe. I served it with crackers and Brie cheese, but it would be great with pork, chicken, ham and cheesecake, too. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
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Homemade Spicy Hot Sauce
I created this spicy recipe one day using what I had available from my garden: hot peppers, carrots, onions and garlic. The carrots make this recipe stand out. —Carolyn Wheel, Fairfax, Vermont
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Strawberry Basil Jam
I make this recipe with fresh-picked strawberries and basil grown in my own herb garden. This unique sweet and savory jam makes a perfect gift—just add a bright ribbon around the top with a gift tag! The deep red jam, laced with flecks of green basil, is so beautiful. —Julie O'Neil, Two Harbors, Minnesota
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Honey Blueberry Cobbler Jam
I work at a farmers market, and honey blueberry jam is my top seller. You've gotta taste it with fresh goat cheese and toasted candied pecans. —Krystal Wertman, Humble, Texas
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Strawberry Basil Jam
I make this recipe with fresh-picked strawberries and basil grown in my own herb garden. This unique sweet and savory jam makes a perfect gift—just add a bright ribbon around the top with a gift tag! The deep red jam, laced with flecks of green basil, is so beautiful. —Julie O'Neil, Two Harbors, Minnesota
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Honey Blueberry Cobbler Jam
I work at a farmers market, and honey blueberry jam is my top seller. You've gotta taste it with fresh goat cheese and toasted candied pecans. —Krystal Wertman, Humble, Texas
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Sweet-Hot Asian Dipping Sauce
This Asian-inspired sauce is a delicious egg roll dipping sauce, but it can also be used for veggies or to make a sweet-tangy vinaigrette. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Tomatillo Relish
I have a very hearty tomatillo plant in my garden. To use up the abundant produce, I decided to make a relish. You can use it as a dip or as a condiment on eggs, hot dogs, meat loaf or burgers. It has an addictive taste. —Deb LaBosco, Foley, Minnesota
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Cider Jelly
For a tasty jam during the fall, try this cider. The candy adds a wonderful cinnamon flavor.—Donna Bensend, Dallas, Wisconsin
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Peach-Blueberry Preserves
As a child I helped my grandmother can summer fruits and vegetables. I didn't always appreciate this activity when I was young, but now I miss her terribly and wish we could have another summer afternoon in her kitchen. I think she would enjoy this recipe. —Katie Ferrier Gage, Houston, Texas
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Rhubarb-Cherry Chutney
I love surprising recipes like this chutney with rhubarb, apple and cherries. Try it with cream cheese and crackers or as a condiment for grilled chicken. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Slow-Cooked Peach Salsa
Fresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a winner over store-bought versions. As a treat, I give my coworkers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio
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Rosemary Jelly
This deliciously different green jelly gets its flavor from an unusual source: savory rosemary. The herb adds a refreshing zip to the otherwise sweet spread. —Margaret Dumire, Carroll, Ohio
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Easy Apricot Jam
Here’s the perfect topping for English muffins or toast. It’s so simple to make my homemade jam, you’ll want to share it with all your friends. —Geri Davis, Prescott, Arizona
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Honey Lemon Jelly
I love both honey and lemon, so I combined those ingredients into a doubly delightful jelly. Spread it on toast, bagels, English muffins or scones for a tangy breakfast treat. —Ramona Wysong, Barlow, Kentucky
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Bill's Apple Butter
Since retiring, I have more time to tend to our 75 apple trees and to experiment in the kitchen. I came up with this old-fashioned apple butter after some trial and error. The red-hot candies make it unique.—Bill Elliott, Urbana, Missouri
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Chunky Cherry & Peach Preserves
Out of all the jams I make, this is my grandmother’s favorite. She anxiously waits for late June to come because she knows I’ll put up as many batches as I can while peaches and cherries are at their peak. —Amy Seiger, McLoud, Oklahoma
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Pickled Grapes
No sour grapes here! Easy to make and even easier to eat, pickled grapes are a versatile way to preserve fruit and add a savory surprise to your dishes.
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Autumn Pepper Relish
This colorful relish is a favorite with friends and family because it tastes amazing on just about everything. I like to serve it over cream cheese or a block of sharp cheddar cheese along with crackers or French baguette slices. I also include a jar in gift baskets. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia
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Plum Anise Jam
Growing up, my father loved black licorice and all my siblings and I loved it as well. I still love the flavor of black licorice but can't eat the candy anymore for health reasons. This recipe reminds me of the flavor I loved as a child. The delicious jam tastes great with Brie or goat cheese and crackers. —Jill Grueninger, Mequon, Wisconsin
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Lime Mint Jelly
This holly-green jelly won a Best of Show at the county fair and I was so thrilled. Flavored with lime, it's delicious on roasted meats. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio
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Pickled Watermelon Rind
Looking for a unique summer treat? Look no further than homemade pickled watermelon rinds!
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Strawberry Jam
This step-by-step strawberry jam recipe takes away any of the mystery and confusion behind jam-making, leaving you with the most glorious ruby-red, sticky-sweet canned jam.
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Three-Fruit Marmalade
I make all my own jams, and this marmalade is a favorite. It marries the warm flavors of peaches and pears with citrus. —Lorraine Wright, Grand Forks, British Columbia
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Pear Preserves
Slow-cooking a big batch of velvety pear preserves is an easy way to extend your fresh pear harvest. This beginner-friendly boiling water canning recipe makes an all-purpose pear preserve you can spice up to your liking.
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Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)
If you love spicy food like we do, then these tasty candied jalapenos—also known as cowboy candy—are for you! You can save the syrup to baste roasted chicken or grilled salmon, or mix it into salad dressings. Jars of this dynamite condiment make a great gift. —Rita Ladany, Edison, New Jersey
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Berry-Basil Limeade Jam
My husband and I have fun picking fruit. We ended up with too many strawberries, so it was time to make jam, inspired by a mojito recipe. —Erica Ingram, Lakewood, Ohio
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Double-Berry Jalapeno Jam
My friend and I had tried a fruity jam with jalapenos at a local vineyard and this is the version I created. I like this spread on crackers with cream cheese, on hamburgers or even on grilled cheese. For extra heat, add the seeds of a few jalapenos to the jam. —Lisa Keim, Watertown, New York
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Sweet & Smoky Salsa
I love the roasted flavor that grilling gives food, so I decided to make a salsa from grilled vegetables. I think this recipe would also taste great using plum tomatoes. Also, if you can't use wood chip charcoal, you might try adding a little liquid smoke to the salsa while it cooks. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
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