Canning homemade chicken soup is an excellent way to preserve a hearty, nutritious meal for future use. This method ensures you have a ready-to-eat, comforting dish stocked in your pantry. Follow this step-by-step guide to safely canning your own homemade chicken soup.
Why Can Homemade Chicken Soup?
Canning chicken soup provides several benefits:
Convenience: Ready-made meals for busy days.
Long Shelf Life: Properly canned soup lasts for months.
Preservative-Free: Control ingredients and avoid additives.
Cost-Effective: Utilize bulk purchases and sales for savings.
Essential Ingredients for Canning Chicken Soup
To prepare a batch of homemade canned chicken soup, you will need:
10 lbs chicken hindquarters (or any bone-in chicken)
8 ribs of celery, diced
2 medium onions, chopped
2 lbs carrots, peeled and chopped
7 cloves of garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Water for broth
Step 1: Make a Flavorful Broth
Place 10 lbs of chicken hindquarters in a large stockpot filled with water.
Simmer until the meat is tender and falls off the bones.
Remove the chicken, shred the meat, and set aside.
Return bones to the pot and simmer longer for enhanced flavor.
Strain the broth to remove solids and skim off excess fat.
Step 2: Prepare Your Jars for Canning
Clean jars thoroughly with hot, soapy water.
While sterilization isn't necessary for pressure canning, ensuring cleanliness is crucial.
Step 3: Fill the Jars Properly
Layer the following ingredients into each jar:
1 cup shredded chicken
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/4 cup chopped onions
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Pour strained broth over the ingredients, leaving 1-inch headspace.
Add a pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning.
Wipe the jar rims with white vinegar to ensure a good seal.
Secure new, clean lids and rings to fingertip tightness.
Step 4: Pressure Canning Process
Add the required amount of water to your pressure canner (check your manual).
Place the filled jars inside the canner and secure the lid.
Heat on medium until a steady steam vent releases for 10 minutes.
Apply the 10 lb weight and bring the canner to pressure.
Process the jars for 90 minutes at 10 lbs of pressure (adjust for altitude as needed).
Step 5: Cooling & Storing Your Canned Soup
Turn off the heat and allow the canner to naturally depressurize.
Once pressure reaches zero, carefully remove jars and place them on a towel to cool.
Let jars sit undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
Check the seals before storing. If lids flex, refrigerate and consume promptly.
How to Serve Your Canned Chicken Soup
When ready to enjoy, simply:
Open a jar and pour into a pot.
Add additional broth if needed.
Bring to a boil and incorporate cooked noodles if desired.
Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot!
Pro Tips for Safe & Effective Canning
Regularly check your pressure canner’s vent for blockages.
Store canned jars in a cool, dark location.
Avoid adding thickeners, dairy, or grains before canning, as they impact safety.
Follow guidelines from the National Center for Home Food Preservation for best results.
By following these detailed steps, you’ll enjoy delicious, homemade chicken soup that’s ready whenever you need a nourishing, home-cooked meal. Happy canning!
Canning homemade chicken soup is an excellent way to preserve a hearty, nutritious meal for future use. This method ensures you have a ready-to-eat, comforting dish stocked in your pantry. Follow this step-by-step guide to safely canning your own homemade chicken soup.
Why Can Homemade Chicken Soup?
Canning chicken soup provides several benefits:
Convenience: Ready-made meals for busy days.
Long Shelf Life: Properly canned soup lasts for months.
Preservative-Free: Control ingredients and avoid additives.
Cost-Effective: Utilize bulk purchases and sales for savings.
Essential Ingredients for Canning Chicken Soup
To prepare a batch of homemade canned chicken soup, you will need:
10 lbs chicken hindquarters (or any bone-in chicken)
8 ribs of celery, diced
2 medium onions, chopped
2 lbs carrots, peeled and chopped
7 cloves of garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Water for broth
Step 1: Make a Flavorful Broth
Place 10 lbs of chicken hindquarters in a large stockpot filled with water.
Simmer until the meat is tender and falls off the bones.
Remove the chicken, shred the meat, and set aside.
Return bones to the pot and simmer longer for enhanced flavor.
Strain the broth to remove solids and skim off excess fat.
Step 2: Prepare Your Jars for Canning
Clean jars thoroughly with hot, soapy water.
While sterilization isn't necessary for pressure canning, ensuring cleanliness is crucial.
Step 3: Fill the Jars Properly
Layer the following ingredients into each jar:
1 cup shredded chicken
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/4 cup chopped onions
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Pour strained broth over the ingredients, leaving 1-inch headspace.
Add a pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning.
Wipe the jar rims with white vinegar to ensure a good seal.
Secure new, clean lids and rings to fingertip tightness.
Step 4: Pressure Canning Process
Add the required amount of water to your pressure canner (check your manual).
Place the filled jars inside the canner and secure the lid.
Heat on medium until a steady steam vent releases for 10 minutes.
Apply the 10 lb weight and bring the canner to pressure.
Process the jars for 90 minutes at 10 lbs of pressure (adjust for altitude as needed).
Step 5: Cooling & Storing Your Canned Soup
Turn off the heat and allow the canner to naturally depressurize.
Once pressure reaches zero, carefully remove jars and place them on a towel to cool.
Let jars sit undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
Check the seals before storing. If lids flex, refrigerate and consume promptly.
How to Serve Your Canned Chicken Soup
When ready to enjoy, simply:
Open a jar and pour into a pot.
Add additional broth if needed.
Bring to a boil and incorporate cooked noodles if desired.
Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot!
Pro Tips for Safe & Effective Canning
Regularly check your pressure canner’s vent for blockages.
Store canned jars in a cool, dark location.
Avoid adding thickeners, dairy, or grains before canning, as they impact safety.
Follow guidelines from the National Center for Home Food Preservation for best results.
By following these detailed steps, you’ll enjoy delicious, homemade chicken soup that’s ready whenever you need a nourishing, home-cooked meal. Happy canning!
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