The Ultimate Guide to Canning Potatoes: Three Delicious Herb-Infused Recipes

If you love homegrown potatoes but struggle with long-term storage, canning is a fantastic way to preserve them. Whether you're a homesteader, gardener, or simply love home cooking, learning how to can potatoes can save you time and reduce waste. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of canning potatoes and introduce three flavorful herb-infused recipes: Herbed Potatoes, Chipotle Potatoes, and Mediterranean Potatoes.

Why Can Potatoes?

Fresh potatoes have a limited shelf life, even under the best storage conditions. Over time, they begin to sprout and lose quality. Canning allows you to preserve your harvest for months, making meal prep easy and convenient—especially for camping or quick weekday dinners.

Choosing the Best Potatoes for Canning

For long-term storage and canning, late-season potatoes are the best choice. Varieties like Elba, Yukon Gold, and Pinto potatoes tend to store better than early or mid-season types. White or yellow potatoes also last longer than red or blue potatoes, which tend to sprout earlier.

Essential Steps Before Canning

Peel Your Potatoes: To reduce bacterial risk, always peel potatoes before canning.

Cut to Size: Keep pieces under 2 inches to ensure even heat penetration.

Choose Your Liquid: You can use either vegetable broth or chicken stock for added flavor.

Use a Pressure Canner: Potatoes must be pressure canned to ensure safe preservation.

Three Herb-Infused Canned Potato Recipes

1. Herbed Potatoes (Versatile & Easy)

2 ½ lbs potatoes (peeled and cut)

2 tsp non-iodized salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried rosemary

1 tsp dried thyme

Chicken stock or vegetable broth

Toss potatoes with herbs and salt before packing into jars. Cover with hot broth, leaving 1-inch headspace.

2. Chipotle Potatoes (Smoky & Spicy)

2 ½ lbs potatoes (peeled and cut)

2 tsp non-iodized salt

2 tsp chipotle powder

½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

4 tsp fresh minced garlic

Chicken stock or vegetable broth

Combine all ingredients, then pack into jars and cover with broth. Great for tacos or breakfast hashes!

3. Mediterranean Potatoes (Zesty & Aromatic)

2 ½ lbs potatoes (peeled and cut)

2 tsp non-iodized salt

1 tsp black pepper

2 tsp oregano (or rosemary)

2 tsp fresh lemon zest

1 cup fresh chopped onion

1 cup fresh chopped bell peppers

Chicken stock or vegetable broth

Toss ingredients together, pack into jars, and cover with broth. Perfect for Mediterranean-inspired meals!

Canning Process

Prepare Jars: Fill sterilized quart or pint jars with potato mixtures, leaving 1-inch headspace.

Add Liquid: Pour hot broth over potatoes, ensuring even distribution.

Remove Air Bubbles: Use a tool to release trapped air, then wipe rims clean.

Seal Jars: Apply lids and tighten slightly more than fingertip-tight.

Pressure Can: Process at 10 lbs pressure—35 minutes for pints, 40 minutes for quarts.

Cool & Store: Let jars cool undisturbed for 8–12 hours before storing.

Tips for Success

Prevent Siphoning: Let jars sit in the canner for 10 minutes before removing.

Customize Flavors: Swap out herbs and spices while keeping proportions the same.

Store Properly: Keep jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

Final Thoughts

Canning potatoes not only extends their shelf life but also adds flavor and convenience to your meals. Whether you prefer classic herbed, smoky chipotle, or zesty Mediterranean flavors, these recipes will make your pantry more versatile.