As someone who loves to have quick, homemade meals ready to go, canning is a lifesaver for me. Today, I’m sharing how I make and can Sloppy Joes, one of my favorite pantry staples.
Having Sloppy Joes canned and ready means a delicious, hearty meal is just a jar away, perfect for those busy nights when I don’t have much time to cook. I found this great recipe on HealthyCanning.com, which is all about safe canning practices. Let’s dive into the process!
Canning Sloppy Joes (Video)
All the steps for canning sloppy joes are laid out below, but if you want to see me actually make them in action, be sure to watch the video above.
Ingredients for Canning Sloppy Joes
The first step is gathering all the ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 pounds of ground beef (browned and drained)
- 1 ½ cups chopped onions
- ¾ cup chopped green bell peppers
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup water
- ½ tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ tablespoon prepared mustard
Yield: 4 pints
This recipe is super simple and doesn’t require any unusual ingredients, making it a great option for anyone who loves to cook from pantry staples. The only fresh ingredients you’ll need to buy are the onions and bell peppers.
Make every jar count. Learn how to set smart canning goals, track your inventory, and build a pantry your family will love—with the Home Canning Success System.
👉 Check it out on AmazonPreparing the Sloppy Joes Mixture for Canning
First, brown and drain the ground beef.
Next, add the chopped onions and bell peppers.
Then add in the tomato paste, ketchup, water, salt, sugar, and black pepper, as well as the mustard.
After adding all of the ingredients, give everything a good stir, making sure it was well combined.
Once everything is in the pot, bring the mixture to a boil and then reduced it to a simmer for about five minutes. This is important because you want to ensure that the sloppy joe mixture is nice and hot before filling the jars.
Heating Your Canning Jars
Since this is a hot pack recipe, I made sure my jars were heated up in the Nesco canner.
Heating Jars in the Nesco Canner
If you don’t know how to heat jars in the Nesco canner, check out my blog post and video for a step-by-step guide.
Heating Jars in Another Canner
If you’re using a different canner, no worries. Start by putting the appropriate amount of water for pressure canning in your canner. (Check your manual if you’re unsure.) Place your washed jars in the canner. Put the lid on, and turn the heat on low. Leave your jars in the canner for the entire time you are preparing the sloppy joe mixture. This should heat and keep the jars hot until you’re ready to fill them.
Filling the Jars
Now it’s time to fill your jars! You can can this sloppy joe recipe in pint or half pint jars.
One thing you’ll notice about sloppy joes is that sometimes the more liquid parts of the mixture will separate from the more solid portions.
Because of that, it’s a good idea to stir up the mixture before filling each jar.
Pro tip: To ensure even distribution, I used a ladle to stir the mixture before filling each jar.
Regardless of the jar size, be sure to leave one-inch headspace.
Debubble the Jars
After you’ve filled your jars, be sure to debubble them.
After debubbling the jars, check the headspace.
Pro tip: Distribute the sloppy joe mixture evenly between 4 pints jars. If come up short, you can add some boiling water to the jars to bring it up to 1″ headspace. Since density can be an issue with canning, the extra water won’t hurt anything. If the sloppy joe mixture is too watery when you open the jars, just simmer the mixture until the consistency is to your liking.
Sealing and Processing the Jars
After filling the jars, wipe the rims with vinegar to ensure a clean surface for sealing.
Then, place the lids and rings on the jars, tightening them just fingertip-tight.
Place the jars into the canner and close the lid. Be sure the valve is in the exhaust position.
Then, set the timer on the canner for 75 minutes.
After the canner reaches the proper temperature, the canner will beep. It will then count down from E10 to E0. At that time, switch the valve to airtight.
If you need more information on how to can in the Nesco canner, check out the blog post and video below.
Pin it for Later
Final Thoughts
Canning Sloppy Joes is one of the easiest ways to stock your pantry with a meal that’s ready whenever you need it. The whole process from start to finish is pretty straightforward, and once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature.
Not only is it convenient, but it also allows you to enjoy a homemade meal even on the busiest of days.
I hope this recipe inspires you to give it a try and make your pantry meals even more delicious!
Now that my Sloppy Joes are canned, I’m ready to pop open a jar whenever I need a quick meal.
Whether you’re new to canning or have been doing it for years, this is a great recipe to add to your collection. Let me know in the comments if you give it a try!
Your All-in-One Canning Companion
The Home Canning Success System is your all-in-one canning companion. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned canner, this book helps you plan, organize, and track your projects with confidence. Ditch the guesswork—preserve with purpose!
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this article, you are sure to enjoy these related articles:
- Nesco Canner Vs. Presto Precise Digital Canner
- My 3 Favorite Canning Books
- Canning Mushroom Chicken in Garlic Sauce
💬 I’d love to hear from you!
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!