If you’ve ever wondered how to can blueberries, you’re in the right place! I recently scored an amazing deal on blueberries at ALDI for just $0.99 a pint, which is a steal compared to the $2.99 price at my local Walmart.
Naturally, I jumped at the chance to preserve these delicious berries, and I decided to explore a couple of easy methods for canning blueberries.
Today, I’ll walk you through both hot packing and raw packing methods for canning blueberries, sharing my experiences and tips along the way.
How to Can Blueberries (Video)
In this video, I take you step-by-step through the process of canning blueberries. I first use the hot pack method, and then ended up trying the raw pack method.
Canning Blueberries: Hot Packing vs. Raw Packing
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When it comes to canning blueberries, I wanted to keep things simple. After considering several time-consuming options like blueberry pie filling and syrup, I settled on straightforward canning. This way, I can use the blueberries in a variety of ways later on.
The process is pretty simple and can be done using a water bath or steam canner. For today’s project, I used my Nesco canner, but any water bath or steam canner will work. (All links go to the products on Amazon.)
Making Syrup for Canning Blueberries
I started by preparing a very light syrup with six cups of water and 3/4 cup of sugar. You can also use water, but the syrup tends to yield better results. Now, let’s dive into the two methods.
Canning Blueberries Using the Hot Packing Method
Hot packing involves boiling the blueberries for 30 seconds before canning. This method helps the blueberries maintain their shape and prevents them from floating to the top of the jar. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Prepare the Berries: Clean the blueberries thoroughly and remove any stems.
- Boil the Berries: Boil the blueberries for 30 seconds. This part can be a bit tricky as you want to maintain the boil without turning the berries to mush.
- Drain and Jar: After boiling, drain the berries and transfer them to hot jars.
- Add Syrup: Pour the hot syrup over the berries, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.
- Debubble the jars, and then double check the headspace. Add or remove syrup and/or berries to get the right headspace.
- Wipe the rims and put the lids on finger tip tight.
- Process: Process the jars in a water bath canner for 15 minutes for pints, adding an additional five minutes due to my altitude.
Despite my initial concerns about turning the berries to mush, they turned out well. The hot pack method allows more berries to fit into each jar, which is great if you’re short on pantry space.
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Raw packing is much simpler and less messy. Here’s how you do it:
- Prepare the Berries: Clean the blueberries thoroughly and remove any stems.
- Jar the Berries: Place the raw blueberries directly into hot jars.
- Add Syrup: Pour the hot syrup over the berries, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.
- Debubble the jars. After debubbling, check the headspace to make sure you still have 1/2 inch headspace. Add or remove blueberries and/or syrup until you have the right amount of headspace.
- Wipe the rims and put on the lids finger tip tight.
- Process: Process the jars in a water bath canner for 15 minutes for pints, adding an additional five minutes due to my altitude.
The raw pack method is quicker and less messy, but you can fit fewer berries in each jar. Additionally, the berries are more likely to float above the liquid.
Results and Recommendations
After trying both methods, I observed that hot-packed berries stay submerged in the syrup, while some of the raw-packed berries float. Both methods resulted in some siphoning, but the hot pack method had slightly less. Ultimately, hot packing allows for more efficient use of pantry space and ensures better preservation of the berries.
If you’re looking for ease and simplicity, raw packing is the way to go. If you want to maximize your storage space and don’t mind a bit more effort, hot packing is preferable. Both methods are USDA-approved and safe, so it comes down to your personal preference.
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Conclusion
Canning blueberries is a fantastic way to preserve their freshness and enjoy them year-round. Whether you choose hot packing or raw packing, you’ll have delicious blueberries ready for various recipes. I hope you found this guide helpful! If you did, please fill out the form below to subscribe subscribe to my newsletter for more canning tips and recipes. Happy canning!
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Have you tried this yourself? Have a question or tip to share? Leave a comment below — your experience or question could help someone else, too!