50 Canning Recipes Organized By When They Come Into Season
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The Ultimate Month-by-Month Canning Guide for Gardeners, Foragers & Foodies
🌱 Preserve the Seasons, One Jar at a Time
Canning isn’t just a skill—it’s a seasonal rhythm. If you’ve ever stared at a bumper crop of strawberries in June or tomatoes in August wondering what to do with them, this guide is for you.
Whether you’re a backyard gardener, homesteader, or someone who loves a good farmers’ market haul, canning allows you to lock in flavor, nutrition, and freshness—all year round. But knowing when to can what? That’s the real secret sauce.
Let’s walk through 50 canning recipes, perfectly timed for when fruits and veggies hit their seasonal peak. 🍓🌽🍑
📅 Month-by-Month Canning Recipes
🌸 Spring (March–May)
Fresh flavors are in! After a long winter, these early harvests make beautiful jams and pickles.
- March
- Pickled Asparagus Spears
- Carrot Cake Jam
- Spiced Rhubarb Chutney
- April
4. Rhubarb-Strawberry Jam
5. Dandelion Jelly 🌼
6. Spring Onion Relish - May
7. Strawberry Jam (classic!) 🍓
8. Rhubarb Orange Marmalade
9. Pickled Radishes
10. Honey-Lavender Jelly
🌞 Summer (June–August)
The prime canning season! Bursting with color and flavor, summer is made for your jars.
- June
11. Blueberry-Lemon Jam
12. Spiced Cherry Preserves 🍒
13. Garlic Scape Pesto (pressure canned)
14. Strawberry-Basil Jam
15. Zucchini Relish - July
16. Peach Jam 🍑
17. Pickled Beets
18. Dill Pickles 🥒
19. Corn and Tomato Salsa
20. Blackberry Preserves - August
21. Spaghetti Sauce
22. Tomato Jam
23. Peach BBQ Sauce
24. Bread and Butter Pickles
25. Roasted Red Pepper Spread
🍂 Autumn (September–November)
As harvest winds down, it’s time to stock your pantry before winter sets in.
- September
26. Apple Pie Filling
27. Apple Butter 🍏
28. Plum Jam
29. Salsa Verde
30. Grape Jelly - October
31. Pumpkin Butter (must be frozen, not canned!) 🎃
32. Cranberry Apple Chutney
33. Pickled Jalapeños
34. Pear Vanilla Jam
35. Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce - November
36. Cranberry Sauce
37. Spiced Pear Preserves
38. Hot Pepper Jelly
39. Onion Jam
40. Sweet Potato Butter (freezer-safe only)
❄️ Winter (December–February)
While fresh produce is sparse, citrus, dried fruits, and creativity take over.
- December
41. Orange Marmalade 🍊
42. Cranberry Orange Relish
43. Apple Cranberry Jam - January
44. Grapefruit Rosemary Marmalade
45. Pickled Red Cabbage
46. Citrus Syrup - February
47. Blood Orange Jam
48. Preserved Lemons
49. Lemon Curd (must be refrigerated!)
50. Beet & Orange Relish
🧂 How to Start Canning: A Quick Guide
- Choose Your Method:
- Water Bath Canning for acidic foods (fruits, jams, pickles)
- Pressure Canning for low-acid foods (meats, vegetables, sauces)
- Sterilize Your Jars:
Always sanitize your equipment to prevent spoilage. - Use Fresh, In-Season Produce:
The fresher the produce, the better the flavor and shelf life. - Follow Tested Recipes:
Use trusted sources to ensure safe acidity and sealing.
💡 Why You Should Can Seasonally
✅ Saves money – Bulk produce is cheapest in peak season
✅ Better flavor – Fresh harvest = better taste
✅ Less waste – Preserve garden gluts instead of tossing
✅ Sustainable living – Cuts food waste, reduces packaging
✅ Pantry power – No need to rely on store-bought
🛠️ Pro Tips for Successful Canning
- Label & date everything
- Store in a cool, dark place
- Check for seal failure regularly
- Don’t “wing it” with recipes—botulism is no joke
- Keep a seasonal canning calendar on the fridge for quick planning
❓ FAQs: Canning by the Seasons
Q: Can I use frozen fruit to can during off-seasons?
A: Yes, for jams and jellies—but flavor and texture may be slightly different.
Q: Is it safe to create my own canning recipes?
A: Only if you know how to balance acidity. Stick to tested recipes unless you’re pressure canning.
Q: How long will canned food last?
A: Typically 1–2 years, but always inspect jars before eating.
Q: Can I skip lemon juice in tomato canning?
A: No! Tomatoes aren’t acidic enough on their own—add lemon juice or citric acid.
Q: How do I know which produce is in season?
A: Use local harvest calendars or follow this blog’s month-by-month breakdown above! 🌿
🧺 Final Thoughts: Your Pantry, Your Legacy
There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a jar of home-canned peaches from your shelf in January. Canning isn’t just food prep—it’s a way to connect to the earth’s rhythm, reduce waste, and nourish your family all year long.
So grab your jars, roll up your sleeves, and let the seasons guide your canning journey. 🍑🌽🫐
💬 Which month is your favorite to can in? What recipe do you swear by? Drop your seasonal tips below!
🔗 Bookmark this post, share with your canning group, or print it out and pin it next to your pantry for year-round inspiration.
