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Preserving

Preserving food is about more than stocking a pantry... it's about holding onto the best parts of each season.

Whether you're canning ripe summer tomatoes, freezing fresh herbs, fermenting vegetables, or filling shelves with homemade jams and pickles, you'll find trusted recipes and practical guides to help you preserve the harvest with confidence.

Water Bath Canning

  • Wooden pantry shelves filled with homemade canned tomatoes, green beans, jams, and preserves in mason jars.
    The Ultimate Guide to Home Canning & Preserving
  • jar of homemade pickled ramps with fresh wild ramps on a dark wooden surface
    Easy Pickled Ramps Recipe (How to Preserve Wild Leeks)
  • Fork lifting golden pickled daikon radish from glass jar with turmeric brine
    Golden Honey Pickled Daikon Radish (Sweet & Spicy Refrigerator Pickles)
  • Homemade vanilla cardamom pear butter in glass jars with fresh pears, vanilla beans, and lemon slices on a rustic wooden counter.
    Vanilla Cardamom Pear Butter (Easy, No-Pectin Canning Recipe)
See more Water Bath Canning →

Jams, Jellies + Fruit Butters

  • Homemade apple pie jam in canning jars with fresh apples, cinnamon sticks, and warm spices on the counter.
    Apple Pie Jam (Easy Canning Recipe for Fall)
  • Close-up of homemade vanilla bourbon peach butter in a glass jar with a spoon on top, perfect for canning or spreading on toast.
    Vanilla Bourbon Peach Butter (Easy Recipe for Canning or Freezing)
  • A rustic glass jar filled with homemade strawberry preserves, sweetened with honey and infused with vanilla. A black spoon rests in the jam, surrounded by jars of honey and sliced strawberries on a dark wooden surface with moody, warm lighting.
    Strawberry Preserves with Honey + Vanilla
  • Jars of wine jelly on a counter surrounded by wine corks.
    Easy Four Ingredient Wine Jelly Recipe
See more Jams, Jellies + Fruit Butters →

Pickle Recipes

  • Homemade zucchini relish preserved in canning jars with fresh zucchini on the side.
    Sweet Zucchini Relish (So Good You’ll Eat It with a Spoon)
  • Jars of pickled garlic on a counter surrounded by spices and fresh dill.
    Easy Pickled Garlic Recipe | Canning or Quick Pickle
  • Crunchy homemade dill pickles in mason jars with garlic, dill, and pickling spices on a kitchen counter.
    Easy Homemade Dill Pickles (refrigerator or canned)
  • Pickled green beans in canning jars on a counter
    The Best Pickled Green Beans Recipe (Dilly Beans)
See more Pickle Recipes →

Pressure Canning

  • Pressure-canned Mississippi pot roast in a quart jar with beef, onions, and pepperoncini peppers
    Canning Mississippi Pot Roast
  • Jars of home-canned tomato soup surrounded by fresh tomatoes and basil on a dark countertop.
    Canning Tomato Soup: Cozy, Shelf-Stable Comfort Food for Winter
  • Canning diced tomatoes like those pictured here is easy!
    Canning Diced Tomatoes Water Bath or Pressure Canned
  • A glass jar filled with pressure-canned mini bella mushrooms, with a fork lifting mushrooms from the jar; whole mushrooms and jars blurred in the background.
    Canning Mushrooms (Sliced or Whole) the Safe + Simple Way
See more Pressure Canning →

Freezing + Dehydrating

  • Close-up of a glass jar filled with sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, infused with fresh rosemary, surrounded by cherry tomatoes and herbs on a dark rustic surface.
    Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil with Rosemary
  • Water Glassing Eggs for Long Term Egg Preservation
  • Jar of garlic powder on a counter surrounded by dried garlic, fresh garlic, and a mortar & pestle.
    Preserving Garlic: How to Make Garlic Powder
  • Green and red bell peppers on a counter ready to be frozen
    How to Freeze Peppers
See more Freezing + Dehydrating →

Fermenting

  • Jar of homemade napa cabbage kimchi fermenting with chili paste, garlic, and vegetables.
    How to Make Kimchi at Home (Easy Napa Cabbage Kimchi Recipe)
  • A ball jar with honey fermented cranberries with a jar of honey in the background and a honey dipper and fresh cranberries are in the foreground.
    Fermented Honey Cranberries
  • Closeup of hoemade sauerkraut on a fork
    Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe | How to Make Sauerkraut
  • A glass jar filled with preserved lemons, bay leaves, and black peppercorns, sitting on a rustic linen cloth with fresh lemon slices and a small bowl of salt nearby. The moody lighting highlights the golden hue of the lemons against a dark, textured background.
    Preserved Lemons Recipe | How to Preserve Lemons
See more Fermenting →

Narrow your search:

Fermenting
Freezing + Dehydrating
Pressure Canning
Water Bath Canning
  • Jar of homemade chicken stock with natural gelatin, pressure canned and ready for pantry storage.
    How to Make and Can Homemade Chicken Stock
  • A rustic close-up shot of homemade venison jerky pieces scattered on a dark slate surface. The jerky, showcasing rich shades of brown and red, has a slightly glossy texture. Fresh red chili peppers are placed in the background, adding a vibrant splash of color and hinting at the spiciness of the jerky. Sprinkled coarse salt enhances the visual appeal, while the overall composition exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for food enthusiasts.
    Homemade Venison Jerky Recipe (Easy & Flavorful!)
  • Easy Canned Venison Recipe
  • Jars of venison bone broth on a counter
    How to Make Venison Bone Broth | Deer Stock Recipe
  • A jar of fermented honey garlic with golden honey and fresh garlic cloves, set against a dark rustic background with warm tones. A honey dipper and scattered garlic add depth and texture to the scene.
    Fermented Honey Garlic
  • Glass mason jars filled with canned peach sweet tea surrounded by fresh peaches and a linen cloth
    Canning Peach Sweet Tea
  • A spoonful of deep purple bourbon vanilla blackberry jam dripping into a glass mason jar, with fresh lemon slices and blackberries in the foreground
    No-Pectin Blackberry Jam with Bourbon and Vanilla (Small Batch Canning Recipe)
  • Jar of roasted peach salsa with fresh peaches, tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and jalapeño on a dark surface.
    Roasted Peach Salsa Recipe
  • Jars of pickled carrots sitting on a counter surrounded by pickling spice.
    Easy Honey Pickled Carrots
  • Jars of pickled brussels sprouts on a counter.
    Pickled Brussels Sprouts (Frog Balls)
  • Glass jar filled with homemade Christmas jam made from cranberries, strawberries, and oranges, surrounded by fresh fruit and a cinnamon stick on a dark rustic surface.
    Homemade Christmas Jam Recipe (Cranberry, Strawberry & Orange)
  • A close-up of a jar filled with silky, golden lemon curd, with a wooden spoon resting on top, dripping with the rich, smooth curd. A second jar, fresh lemons, and eggs blur softly in the background, creating a warm, moody, and inviting kitchen scene.
    Perfect Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe for Easy Canning
  • Jars of home canned chicken on a counter
    Safely Canning Chicken (raw or hot pack)
  • Homemade strawberry syrup in a mason jar surrounded by fresh strawberries, ready for canning
    How to Make Strawberry Syrup for Canning (No Corn Syrup, No Red Dye)
  • Homemade fruit cocktail canned in light syrup using the water bath canning method
    Homemade Fruit Cocktail for Canning (No Corn Syrup, Just Real Fruit)
  • Bottle of fermented hot sauce on a table with fresh hot peppers, garlic, and onion
    How to Make Fermented Hot Sauce
  • Jar of homemade apple cider vinegar with a freshly fermenting jar of apple scrap vinegar in the background
    How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar from Scraps
  • Jar of homemade spiced pear chutney with a spoonful lifted above, showing tender pears, raisins, and warm spices, with fresh lemon slices and another jar blurred in the background.
    Spiced Pear Chutney Canning Recipe
  • Two jars filled with homemade pickled green tomatoes packed in brine with visible pickling spices, set against a rustic gray background.
    Easy Pickled Green Tomatoes (quick or canning)
  • Tomatillo salsa in jars surrounded by fresh peppers and tomatillos.
    Canning Tomatillo Salsa (Easy Roasted Salsa Verde)
  • Jars of bread and butter pickles on a table with fresh cucumbers.
    Bread and Butter Pickles
  • Jars of pickled peppers with fresh peppers and garlic on a counter
    Quick and Easy Pickled Peppers
  • Jars of homemade pickled cranberries with fresh ginger and spices on a wooden surface, perfect for holiday canning and gifting.
    Pickled Cranberries (Sweet, Tart & Perfect for the Holidays)
  • Homemade canned salsa in Ball mason jars with green bell peppers and tomatoes on a dark countertop
    Canning Salsa That Tastes Like Summer (Easy + Safe Recipe)
  • Jars of home canned pizza sauce on a counter surrounded by fresh herbs, garlic, and tomatoes.
    Canning Pizza Sauce from Fresh Tomatoes
  • Jars of homemade cranberry sauce ready for canning with fresh cranberries, cloves, and cinnamon on the counter.
    Canning Cranberry Sauce (Jellied or Whole Berry)
  • Freshly canned peaches and fresh peaches on a table.
    Canning Peaches Made Easy (No-Fail Hot Pack Method)
  • Ladling homemade peach bourbon jelly into a glass Weck jar with fresh peaches and bourbon in the background.
    Homemade Peach Jelly (for Canning or Freezer)
  • Homemade canned apple slices in quart jars with fresh apples on a dark background.
    Canning Apples: How to Make Homemade Apple Slices in Syrup
  • Homemade apple butter in a glass jar with a spoon, surrounded by fresh apples and canning jars on a rustic wooden table.
    Easy Apple Butter Recipe for Canning (Stovetop, Crockpot, Instant Pot)
  • Homemade canned applesauce in mason jars with fresh apples and a spoonful of sauce
    Canning Applesauce Made Easy: The Best Homemade Recipe for Fall
  • Quart jar of homemade canned apple pie filling surrounded by fresh apples and cinnamon sticks on a rustic wooden table.
    How to Can Apple Pie Filling (Easy Homemade Recipe)
  • Close-up of a mason jar filled with homemade brandied cherries, rich red fruit soaked in syrup, with fresh cherries scattered around on a rustic surface—perfect garnish for cocktails or desserts.
    Brandied Cherries (The Easy, Boozy Preserved Cherry You Didn’t Know You Needed)
  • Close-up of homemade raspberry jam in glass jars with fresh raspberries and a halved lime on a dark linen background.
    Homemade Raspberry Jam: A Simple, No-Pectin Recipe
  • Blueberry jelly in jars surrounded by fresh blueberries
    Blueberry Jelly That Tastes Like Summer (Easy, Low Sugar & Canning Safe)
  • Glass jars filled with whole strawberries in syrup, sealed and ready for pantry storage, surrounded by fresh strawberries on a striped cloth.
    How to Can Strawberries in Syrup (the Easy, Juicy Way)
  • Jars of low sugar strawberry jam on a counter surrounded by fresh strawberries
    Low-Sugar Strawberry Jam (That Actually Tastes Like Summer • No Pectin Needed)
  • Canning green beans like those pictured here is great for beginners.
    Canning Green Beans: A Simple Guide to Preserving Your Garden's Harvest
  • How to Use a Pressure Canner: Your Guide to Safe and Confident Home Canning
  • Mason jars full of black bean and corn salsa with tortilla chips in the background
    Canning Black Bean and Corn Salsa Safely

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About

Elle McCoy, author of The Rustic Elk, with long wavy hair reflected in an ornate vintage mirror, sitting at a candlelit vanity with makeup brushes, perfume, and dried flowers.

I'm Elle,

the voice behind The Rustic Elk. I believe every place has a story and every season has something worth noticing. This is my journal of food, travel, books, photography, and a life spent looking a little closer.


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Currently...

📖 Reading: We Used to Live Here
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