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Center for Preserving Food

Guides to Canning, Pickling, Freezing, Drying, Fermenting, & More

Welcome to our Beginner Guides to Home Food Preservation! To make it simpler for you, we’ve ordered our guides from easiest to hardest!

Find step-by-step guides on freezing vegetables, making quick refrigerator pickles and fruit jams, drying herbs and produce, water-bath canning, canning jams and jellies, pressure canning, fermenting, and preserving.

NOTE: These guides were updated and fact-checked by Christina Ferroli, PhD, RDN, FAND to adhere to the latest and highest safety and quality measures to deliver on the trust and reputation of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

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Introduction to Preserving

Preserving Your Harvest Safely

Things to Consider Before Preserving Your Harvest

10 Quick and Easy Preserving Ideas!

Pickling, Freezing, and Storing Tips for Your Harvest

4 Ways to Preserve Fruit & Vegetables at Home

Freezing, Pickling, Drying, and Making Jam

Freezing

Frozen Berries: How to Freeze Blueberries

Too Much Zucchini? Freeze It!

How to Freeze Zucchini

How Long Does Food Last in the Freezer?

Frozen food storage chart plus handy tips

How to Freeze Brussels Sprouts

Freezing Brussels Sprouts Properly

How to Freeze Peppers

Freezing peppers for year-round use!

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How to Freeze Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

A Guide to Blanching and Freezing Fresh Produce

How to Dry Herbs—and Other Ways to Preserve Fresh Herbs

Storing garden herbs for cooking

How to Freeze Corn: Blanching and Freezing Corn on the Cob

Try Freezing Fresh Corn for Later!

How to Freeze Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, and Beet Greens

Freezing Spinach, Swiss Chard, and Beet Greens

Making Quick Pickles

Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

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How To Make Refrigerator Pickles: Easy 3-Step Recipe

Quick and easy homemade fridge pickles

Quick and Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Making Quick Jams: Refrigerator or Freezer Jam

Easy Refrigerator Jam Without Pectin

Small batch jam with two ingredients | For fridge or freezer

Kiwi Jam

Refrigerator or Freezer Blackberry Jam

Vinegars

How to Make Flavored Vinegars

Homemade Infused Vinegars Make for the Perfect Holiday Gift!

How to Make Fire Cider to Boost Health

Make Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic for Health

Water-Bath Canning

Canning for Beginners: How to Can Food at Home

Learn All About Canning and Preserving Your Own Food

Water-Bath Canning: Beginner's Guide

Introduction to Water-Bath Canning at Home

Homemade Applesauce for Canning

How to Make Homemade Applesauce

How to Can Tomatoes

How to Can Tomatoes at Home

Canning Whole Peeled Tomatoes (Crushed Tomatoes)

How to Can Tomato Sauce: Recipe and Tips

Can Tomato Sauce the Easy Way With a Boiling Water Bath!

How to Can Pickles

Bread and Butter Pickles

How to Make Pickles: Step-by-Step Pickling Guide

A Guide to Quick Pickling and Water-Bath Pickling

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How to Make Pickled Peppers Recipe

How to Pickle Peppers

How to Can Jam and Jelly

How to Make Jelly: 7 Easy Jelly Recipes

A Beginner's Guide to Making and Canning Homemade Jelly

How to Make Jam: Refrigerator Jam or Water-Bath Canning

Make Quick Fridge Jam or Canned Jam

Pressure Canning

Pressure Canning: Beginner's Guide and Recipes

An Introduction to Pressure Canning at Home

Drying

How to Dry Tomatoes, Peppers, and Herbs

Drying Tomatoes in the Oven or the Sun

Drying Fruit and Vegetables: A Great Way to Preserve

Dry It, You'll Like It!

Drying Your Own Herbs for Tea

How to Make Herbal Tea at Home

Salting and Brining

Preserving Meats by Salting and Brining

Fermenting

How to Make Sauerkraut

Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe & Tips

Fruit Kvass Recipe: Fermented Drink

Fermented Mayonnaise Recipe

Fermented Bread and Butter Pickles

How to Make Kimchi

An Easy Fermented Kimchi Recipe

How to Make Kombucha Tea

Learn to make this tangy, fermented drink with our simple recipe!

Beet Kvass Recipe

How to Make Creme Fraiche and Recipes

Making Creme Fraiche

Making Whey and Recipes with Whey

How to make homemade whey

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