How to Pressure Canning Ground Beef
Have you wondered how to pressure can ground beef? I did so I tried it and it really can be done and done safely.
I was able to purchase the 40 pounds of ground beef from Zaycon Foods again. It’s the ONLY way I will buy my ground beef if we don’t have access to half a beef from a farm. Their beef is the best for pressure canning for long term food storage.
*UPDATE* I now buy local, grass fed.
You pre-cook the ground beef or you will have little meat loaves that are hard to removed from the jar. You don’t have to pre-cook the ground beef if you are ok with it being solid. You can also choose to pre season. I did not as I wasn’t sure what I would be using the pressure canned ground beef for.
While my meat was cooking I had the lids and rings boiling then simmering on the stove. The jars seal better with warm lids.
My jars were run through the dishwasher during this time. I do this to sanitize and warm them.
I then drain the meat to get rid of the fat….what little there was as I used 97/3 ground beef.
Then I fill the pint jars with the cooked ground beef then add water. Alternately you could use broth.
Place the lids and rings and you are ready to go.
I found this handy table to use as a guide for length of time and weight of gauge.
I needed to do 75 minutes, in the canner, at 15 pounds because of our elevation, which is 2200 feet.
Are you going to pressure can ground beef now?
Here is a link to a USDA pressure canning PDF.
Could you use a beef broth instead of water? What is the shelf life?
Yes you could. Most canned food has a 2 year shelf life per USDA.
I would think beef broth would raise the sodium level. Shelf life is 2+ years.
how about bbq sauce instead of water? or ketchup?
So when you use these you just drain them and add them into whatever you’re cooking?
was wondering that too….does the added water affect the ground beef any?
I actually just throw it in the pan and it cooks off….There isn’t much. The water doesn’t affect the meat at all.
I also can ground beef. You can replace the water with beef broth and if you’re worried about sodium, make your own (which you can also pressure can). You cannot, however add BBQ sauce (or gravy) before canning. Instead, add them when reheating the beef.
I also do my ground beef this same way. Also just canned a batch of ground beef from Zaycon. Their meats really are wonderful. When I fry up a big batch like this to can, I fry it to medium-rare and throw it in my 18 quart roaster oven on low until it is its turn to be canned. Find I am using my roaster more and more when canning – saves me lots of room on my stove.
Re canning with bbq sauce, etc. My personal experience with canning any meats with a “sauce” has been that the sauce often tastes burned. Don’t know why, following procedures for my canner. I prefer to leave it unadulterated and add it to whatever I want when ready. I like the idea of having it all ready to eat, but again, my experience says to just can it plain and leave it versatile.
Oh, forgot… (ugh) I wanted to add that for years I just did a raw pack of ground beef and just last year started doing it this way. While I never minded the raw packed end product, I do much prefer this.
I have a case (12 quarts) of ground beef from Zaycon. I also have a case (12 quarts) of chicken breast. I find canning the meats without adding salt or seasoning is preferred as you can add all those things when you use the meat . we just used 2 quarts of the ground beef in spaghetti and it was awesome. we also use it for sloppy joes , casseroles and tacos
Oh duh on the spaghetti!! I love their chicken also!
Could you cook them as patties then can them that way? Do they make wide mouth jars big enough to stack them in the jar?
You could make those little patties maybe? I don’t think a regular size would come out of the jar easily.
In my experience with canning vegetable beef soup, the ground beef tends to taste over cooked. It’s like it is dried out or tough. Does this happen when canning ground beef?
Is it normal to have a dark film on the underside of lid after opening 2 days after canning? Everthing was followed to the T. Temp, pressure, time, seal was good, meat was precooked. I have canned tomatoes no problem. I’m wondering if it’s just meat grease. Smells ok tasted little little piece the dog ate a piece, ok (my Dad always said dogs won’t bad meat). I never canned meat before any help? Thanks.
Hi, I’m wondering about Zaycon meats, this is only the second time I’ve heard of it. Where can you buy it? I live in Southern Utah. Thank you.
You go to Zaycon Fresh.com and register. They then will send you emails when they are having a sale in your area. Then you purchase what you want…and it tells you then when the delivery is. They will deliver at a church near you ( hopefully). I have been buying from zaycon for over 12 years. They are fresh…chicken that was killed and processed in your area and never frozen. It is breasts that are huge…no haomones. The 93/7 ground beef is absolutely wonderful. If you do not want 40 lbs…get a friend to go in with you. I have not bought ground beef or chicken from a grocery store since I found them. They have salmon from alaska, shrimp.beef, chicken, bacon that is soooo good, and many other things…If you do not want any, you just dont order. When delivery …a big truck pulls up, asks your name and they then ask you where you want it…in the back…and they put a box of food in your car or truck, and you go home. I love Zaycon…you will too.
Thank you for that information. Very motivating!
I do not have a Pressure Canner and can not afford one on our small income at age 75. I realize I can’t do meat, but what did people in the 1800’s do to can Sweet Potatoes, Corn, potatoes, beans, soup? I do water bath my preserves, jam, etc. can I use a regular Presser Cooker? I really want to can more than fruit. None of my friends can. HELP!
Hello! I wouldn’t recommend using the pressure cooker. It won’t get the correct pressure needed. This is another, less expensive canner you could get.https://amzn.to/2Zkwurv
Ask around to find others that have a pressure canner. There are people that would care about your situation that would be willing to either work with you
to can together, loan you their canner or
Other options that you could think of.
Don’t assume there’s no option. There are many people that are caring enough to
help.