Canning jam and jelly at home is one of the easiest ways to get started with home canning. While the ingredients will vary depending on the recipe, the process itself remains the same.
If you’re really new to canning, you should start by reading this post about canning equipment.
First and foremost, know that you should not deviate from a safe canning recipe. Adding or subtracting ingredients can alter the pH of the finished product. Follow the recipe as written.
Canning jam, step-by-step
No matter what recipe you choose, the process for canning jam and jelly is generally the same. The good news? It’s not difficult!
1. Prepare the fruit
This is the most time consuming step. If you’re making jelly, you’ll need to extract the fruit juice. For jam, you’ll peel and seed if necessary (as with stone fruit) and then mash the fruit. You can do this by hand or with a food processor. [Read about the difference between jam and jelly.]
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2. Start heating water in the canner
Almost all jams and jellies can be processed using a water bath. If you’re using a standard canner that holds a large volume of water, it takes awhile to bring it to a boil. Get it heating while you continue the process of making your jam or jelly. Fill the canner about halfway with water for pint or half-pint jars.
3. Sterilize the jars — maybe
If the jam or jelly recipe you’re using requires a processing time of less than ten minutes, you’ll need to sterilize the jars. Do this by submerging the jars in boiling water for ten minutes.
If the recipe calls for a processing time of ten minutes or more, you don’t need to sterilize. The jars will be sterilized during the processing time. You will, of course, want to wash the jars well before filling them!
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4. Cook the fruit
Follow the individual recipe to make the jam or jelly. This often means adding sugar and pectin to the prepared fruit and bringing it to a boil.
5. Transfer fruit mixture to jars
Ladle the hot fruit into canning jars. Use the jar size that is specified in the recipe. A canning funnel is a lifesaver for reducing spills.
6. Know your head space when canning jam & jelly
Head space is the distance from the top of the jam to the rim of the jar. Some canning recipes require more head space than others. Follow the guidelines in your recipe.
7. Wipe the rims
Use a damp cloth to carefully clean the rim of each jar. Residue left on the jar rim can interfere with proper sealing when canning jam and jelly.
8. Place the lids and rings on the jars
Set a lid (sometimes called a flat) on each clean jar rim. Screw a band onto the jar finger tight.
9. Process the jars
Pots dedicated to canning have a rack inside that will hold seven jars. Use a jar lifter (a must for canning!) to lift the filled jars into the boiling water bath canner one at a time, each in its own slot.
Make sure that the jars are completely submerged. There should be about an inch of water above the top of the jars. It’s a good idea to have a kettle with hot water on standby in case you need to top it off once the jars are in place.
Adding jars to the canner will lower the temperature of the water. Return the water to a boil, then start the timer to mark the processing time.
10. Remove the jars from the canner
Again using the jar lifters, remove each jar from the canner and set on a towel-covered countertop. Leave the jars undisturbed until they cool thoroughly. You will likely hear the sound of the lids sealing with a little “tink!” as they cool.
11. Check the seals
One the jars have cooled, check the lids to make sure they’ve sealed. Do this by pressing down in the center of each lid. It should feel solid. If the lid flexes up and down, it did not seal properly and the jar is not shelf stable. Place unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use within a month or so.
12. Store canned jam and jelly
Remove the rings from the jars and wash each to remove any sugary residue that could attract ants. Dry and store jars without the rings. Storing jars with the rings will hold the lid in place, even if a seal fails. Store canned jams and jellies in the pantry for up to a year.
Canning Safety
Canning is an excellent way to preserve food for the pantry, but there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind.
- Know the difference between water bath canning and pressure canning. Low acid items must be pressure canned for safety.
- Altering ingredients may change the recipe’s pH, posing a safety issue. I highly recommend investing in pH paper to test your products for acidity level when canning. Note: The Hawaii Master Food Preservers suggest a pH of 4.2 or lower in the tropics. In other regions, the recommended pH is 4.6 or lower.
- Use the proper jars and lids. Never reuse lids, with the exception of the Tattler lids that are intended for such a purpose.
- For more on canning equipment, please go here.
- The recipes on this site have been made following safe canning procedures by a certified Master Food Preserver.
Try one of these recipes!
Mango Jam
Homemade mango jam brings the flavor of the tropics to your morning toast! A safe recipe for canning by a certified master food preserver.
How to Make Grape Jelly
This quick grape jelly recipe works with fresh grapes or, for a midwinter jelly emergency, let me let you in on a little secret.
Raspberry Jam with Apricots & Honey
This homemade raspberry jam has a lower sugar content than some recipes. The addition of fresh apricots gives the finished product a fresh, sunny flavor.
Pineapple Jam with Jalapeño Peppers
Sweet, spicy, and a little sassy, this pineapple jam will brighten up cold winter days after you preserve it.
Easy Blueberry Jam Recipe for Canning
Fill your pantry with jars of this delicious blueberry jam with ginger. Spread it on toast for a taste of summertime all year round!
Passion Fruit Jelly
Liliko‘i -- or passion fruit -- has a delicious tropical flavor. Use the juice from this fruit to make a batch of jelly for the pantry.
Easy Homemade Strawberry Jam
This homemade strawberry jam recipe is easy for beginners, sweetened with honey, and you'll be able to savor the goodness of garden fresh berries all year long!
Caramelized Onion Jam with Balsamic Vinegar
Put up a few jars of this yummy caramelized onion jam -- by way of canner or freezer -- to treat your inner allium lover!
Easy Tomato Jam Recipe
This easy tomato jam recipe makes a sweet and savory spread that's a good addition to a BLT or grilled cheese sandwich.
Tangerine Marmalade with Ginger and Vanilla
Less bitter than marmalade made with the peels, this version without the peels is a bit like a tangerine jam.
