Beginner’s Ultimate Guide to Preserving Food at Home This Year

So you’re ready to preserve food at home, but don’t know where to begin.

No worries, lovely. You know I’ve got you covered!

Whether you have a green thumb & grow your own food or you just love the idea of enjoying your favorite flavors all year round – here are some tips for you to start preserving food right in your own home.

In this post I’ll cover why food preservation is important, the basic tools you need and then share ways you can get started.

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Why preserve food at home?

Hands down the #1 reason anyone should preserve food at home is FLAVOR.

This is about more than following a trend where rows on rows of glass jars are filled with food and arranged in beautiful color displays on a rustic shelf. But I won’t lie, that’s beautiful to look at for me too.

Food preserved at home seals in the peak of freshness.

What is home food preservation?

Plain and simple, it’s glorified food storage.

Yep, I said it.

Now, there are a million and one books about food preservation I’m sure. And a million and one home food preservation tools, kitchen techniques & tips out there for beginners too. But the crux of preserving food at home is that you store it in an optimal way to extend its use into the future.

The different techniques like canning, freezing, dehydrating, etc. are simply vehicles.

• Will your rice & beans sport the classic Honda Accord of pantry storage this year?
• Should your green beans take the Toyota Corolla of freezer inventory?
• Will your peaches last long enough if they don’t jump in the Ford 150 of canned goods?

So don’t get too caught up in the “how” right now. Because honestly, the vehicle you choose depends on 4 main factors:

• Skills – are you a master at home food preservation marathons? Or comfortable with freezing and stocking dry goods right now?
• Preference – Do you prefer the texture of your kale frozen or canned? Are you a fan of fermented flavors or dehydrated ones?

Is it safe to eat home preserved foods?

Great question. Research shows that properly prepared and stored food is safe to consume.

However, you’ll find so many who are skeptical of eating home preserved foods. Why is this?

For some reason, much of society now believes that it’s safer to eat food prepared by strangers than prepared by ourselves. It’s ok to question the validity of someone’s technique – even your own. Especially when first starting out. But we shouldn’t blindly accept what’s put before us without understanding it.

There are risks with preserving food at home because improperly preserved foods can cause serious illnesses. Just like not handling certain equipment can lead to safety incidents.

When canning food at home as a beginner it’s important to know about botulism. It’s is a rare but serious illness caused by a germ called Clostridium botulinum. The germ produces a toxin that attacks the nerves in the body. This can lead to problems like muscle weakness, difficulty breathing or even paralysis.

And what makes it even more dangerous is that you won’t smell or see it in the food.

So it’s crucial to follow proper food safety rules, and use approved methods when preserving or canning food at home. Safety is your shield!

And I mean, just never eat food from cans or jars that look damaged, bulging, or have an unusual smell!

But don’t get stuck in fear.
Once you learn how to properly preserve your own food at home,
you gain control back.

You’ll know what’s in your food, where it came from (mostly if not entirely) and the tools or ethics that were used. But unless you’re growing your own food, there will still be some ambiguity around what you eat & preserve. And that’s ok when you’re just starting out.

Start small & start now. Start where you are with what you have.

As you learn, adjust & realign your practices with your values.

What do you need to preserve food at home?

Alright, now let’s talk tools (or toys)! Which tools you need for preserving food at home differ based on the preservation technique you’re working through. And maybe you’re wondering, “Can I use regular kitchen equipment, or do I need specialized tools for food preservation?” For some methods your regular everyday tools will be enough!

For example, to start preserving something as delicious as strawberry jam, you can water-bath can this. And that method requires nothing more than a pot large enough to immerse all your jars in water plus cover them with an inch or two more water. Jams are incredibly simple things to start with & ohhhhh so satisfying to store long-term.

But if you’re looking to get into food preservation by way of say…..dehydrating at home so you can turn your favorite vegetables into healthified snacking, you will need a dehydrator. Or at least an oven that has very low temp settings. I recently snagged my own Nesco Pro 4-tray dehydrator from a local thrift store on one of their holiday 50% off discount days! It cost me $8.50 and is in near-pristine condition. I’m not sure they make my model anymore, but it’s a compact & user friendly way to preserve food at home. So,

1. Don’t be afraid to step things up by getting into new food preservation areas. And
2. Don’t forget to thrift for your appliances!

Here are just a few basics food preservation tools I recommend having or borrowing.

Spoiler alert: You probably have most of these already!

For a more detailed list, this post explains the most essential tools of any self-sufficient kitchen.

• Glass jars + sealing lids
• Canning accessories – Funnels (wide mouth too), Jar lifter
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Cutting board & a traditional Chef’s knife (or a decorative chef’s knife if you’re feeling fancy!)
• Large pot, timer, labels/permanent marker
• Flour sack towels, strainer or cheesecloth
• Presto Pressure canner
• Vacuum sealer + Jar sealing attachments
• Vacuum seal / freezer safe / Mylar* bags
• Blender or food processor
• Stainless Steel Shelving (opt for ultra Heavy Duty shelving whenever possible!)

*If you choose to store food in Mylar bags, you will also need the appropriately sized oxygen absorbers to go with them. Here’s a very helpful article about the size & amount of absorbers you need by food storage container size.

Remember, as you gain experience, you might explore more specialized tools, but these basics will give you a solid start on your home food preservation journey.

What types of food preservation are suitable for beginners?

1. Freezing:
   • This is one of the easiest and most straightforward food preservation methods. Placing food in a freezer halts the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. It’s perfect for beginners because technically you don’t need any special equipment. However, vacuum sealing your fruits, vegetables, meats and even prepared meals is ideal to eliminate freezer burn & increase your shelf life.
2. Pickling:
   • Now this one is achieved by preserving food in an acidic solution, usually vinegar. And doing so adds flavor while extending the shelf life. It’s as easy as refrigerator pickles. A great way to preserve cucumbers, carrots, and other vegetables. And eggs too!
3. Water Bath Canning:
   • Water bath canning is a method where jars of food are submerged in boiling water to create a vacuum seal that prevents bacterial growth. It’s a beginner-friendly way to preserve food at home, especially high-acid foods like fruits and tomatoes.
4. Dehydrating:
   • I mentioned this one earlier in the post, but dehydration is a technique that removes the moisture from food. That’s what prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi. This method is ideal for preserving fruit, vegetables & my favorite – herbs! Get ready to start making some salves afterwards!
5. Refrigeration:
   • Now you might not think of this as a food preservation method, but it is! Refrigerating your foods keeps perishables around longer by slowing down the spoilage. I mean, most things don’t like or tolerate cold temps and in the food realm, that’s no different. This one is probably the easiest because refrigerators are standard components in kitchens too. But it’s only suitable for short-term preservation like dairy, leftovers & fresh produce.
6. Storage in Oil or Vinegar:
   • You may not immediately think of this one. But submerging herbs or vegetables in oil or vinegar can actually preserve them and infuse flavors. The best foods are herbs, garlic, or certain vegetables. If you’ve never had traditional garlic aioli, you’re in for a treat. It’s garlic, salt, vinegar & olive oil worked together in a mortar & pestle until it’s so succulent and fragrant you could eat it straight.
7. Fermentation:
   • This method is different from pickling – think about kimchi or sauerkraut. Fermentation uses beneficial bacteria to preserve and transform food. It’s incredibly easy to get started requires more patience & time than anything else! And I just HAVE to recommend The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz. It’s the comprehensive source on this method.