Canned Meals in a Jar

In a previous blog post we talked about the benefits of canning meat. While this is a great idea, we also love to can meals in a jar. 

What is the difference? While canned meat can be eaten alone, it is usually intended to be an ingredient in a larger dish. Canned meals, on the other hand, have most or all of what you need for a complete meal. While you can add canned meals to rice or potatoes, for example, the meat, most of the vegetables, and the spices are already cooked together in the jar.

One of many options for disaster preparedness

Canned meals in a jar are the homestead version of healthy fast food. It may take time to prepare ahead, but you end up with a meal that is nearly ready to go - just heat and serve. While you can do this with freezer meals as well, from a preparedness standpoint, it is always a good idea to store your items in many forms - frozen, canned, dehydrated, freeze-dried, etc. This gives you options for multiple scenarios. 

For example, if the grid is down, eat what is in your freezer first - before it goes bad. Then focus on your canned goods, followed by your dehydrated foods. This ensures you are eating items before they have a chance go bad. In a blackout, freezer items won't last long. Canned goods have the next longest shelf life. Dehydrated or freeze-dried foods have the longest shelf life (if stored properly).

If you are out of water, frozen items or canned items, with their natural juices or in broth, will be a huge help. Not only do they provide a meal, but the liquid in the meal will help hydrate you and your family. Furthermore, they can help you to stretch the water you do have on hand. Dehydrated meals will be more difficult to prepare when water is at a premium. 

Not just for disasters

Having a variety of meals in different forms isn't just helpful in a disaster. They can be useful for your regular work-week. We take freezer meals out and put them in the refrigerator to thaw when we want to have a pre-prepared meal later in the week. This is great for days when we know we will be getting home late from work. If we have forgotten to prep something for dinner, it is nice to pull a couple of jars out of the pantry for a quick, nutritious meal. Canned meals also provide a good option when you have unexpected company. It is an easy way to provide a meal or to bulk up a meal when you don't have enough in the refrigerator to feed a crowd.

What meal in a jar options are there?

There are many options for canning meals in a jar. You can find recipe books with main entree ideas such as The Canning Diva Presents Meals in a Jar and The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. You can also find You Tube videos with all kinds of ideas. If following You Tube videos, be sure that the recipes meet the standards for safe home canning. 

A few of the meals we have canned include beef stew, beef in wine sauce, pork and bean soup, Kung Pao Chicken, and Korean Bulgogi. Chili is another popular meal to can at home.

Canned Kung Pao Chicken

 It only takes a bit of looking to find some fabulous recipes to try!