Last updated: September 20, 2026.
This site is an educational reference, not a substitute for current instructions from the USDA, the National Center for Home Food Preservation, a university Cooperative Extension service, or another recognized testing authority.
Use tested directions
Home-canning safety depends on the complete process. Do not change ingredients, proportions, acidity, jar size, headspace, processing method, processing time, pressure, or altitude adjustment unless the tested source expressly permits the change.
Historical, archival, experimental, community, or otherwise unverified material may be preserved for research and context. Its presence does not mean it is safe, tested, recommended, or approved for use. Read the safety classification and source information on each page.
When in doubt
If a jar shows signs of spoilage, has an uncertain seal or process history, or comes from a recipe whose safety cannot be verified, do not taste it. Consult current authoritative guidance. See Canning Safety, Sources & Trust, and Cooperative Extension resources.