10+ Easy Water Bath Canning Recipes to Preserve Your Summer Flavors

Water bath canning is a simple and fun way to preserve food at home. With a few essential tools and ingredients, you can enjoy your favorite seasonal flavors all year long. Easy water bath canning recipes can help you make delicious jams, pickles, and sauces without the need for complex equipment.

This method is perfect for beginners who want to try canning for the first time. In this article, you’ll discover various easy recipes that make the process enjoyable and successful. Whether you have a bountiful garden or want to save money on groceries, water bath canning can become a rewarding part of your kitchen routine.

Pickled Carrots

Pickled carrots are a tasty and fun treat you can easily make at home. They add a crunch and tang to various meals, and they’re perfect for snacking.

To get started, you’ll need fresh carrots, vinegar, water, salt, and your choice of spices, like garlic and peppercorns. These ingredients create a delicious brine that preserves the carrots really well.

Begin by washing and cutting the carrots into sticks or rounds, depending on your preference.

Prepare the brine by mixing vinegar and water in a pot and heating it until the salt dissolves.

Next, pack the carrots into clean jars, then pour the hot brine over them. Be sure to leave a little space at the top.

Seal the jars and process them in a water bath for about 15 minutes (212°F or 100°C). This method ensures your pickled carrots are safe and tasty for months to come.

Ingredients

• Fresh carrots
• 2 cups vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Spices (garlic, peppercorns)

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and cut carrots.
2. Mix vinegar, water, and salt in a pot and heat.
3. Pack carrots into jars.
4. Pour brine over carrots, leaving space.
5. Seal jars and process in boiling water for 15 minutes.

2) Tomato Salsa

Making tomato salsa is a fun and rewarding process. You can enjoy fresh flavors all year round. This recipe is perfect for canning using the water bath method.

Start with ripe tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños for that zesty kick. You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.

Prepare your jars by cleaning them in hot, soapy water. Keep your canning supplies ready to ensure a smooth process.

Next, chop all your ingredients and combine them in a large bowl. Stir well to mix everything together.

Fill your jars with the salsa, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. Wipe the rims clean to ensure a proper seal.

Process the jars in a water bath canner for about 15 minutes at 220°F (104°C). Let them cool before storing.

Ingredients

• 6 cups chopped ripe tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 jalapeños, diced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare jars and canning supplies.
2. Chop all ingredients and mix them.
3. Fill jars with salsa, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
4. Wipe rims and seal jars.
5. Process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes at 220°F (104°C).
6. Allow jars to cool before storing.

Peach Preserves

Making peach preserves is a delightful way to savor summer flavors all year long. You only need three simple ingredients: fresh peaches, sugar, and lemon juice. This recipe is perfect for beginners.

Start by washing, peeling, and pitting the peaches. Dice them into small pieces for the best texture.

In a large pot, combine the peaches, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the peaches start to break down. This should take about 10 minutes.

Next, you will want to prepare your jars. Place them in a water bath at 180°F (82°C) to keep them warm.

Once the peach mix has thickened, ladle it into the warm jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace at the top. Seal each jar with a lid and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh peaches
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash, peel, and pit the peaches.
2. Dice the peaches.
3. In a pot, mix peaches, sugar, and lemon juice.
4. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves.
5. Prepare jars in a hot water bath.
6. Ladle the mixture into jars.
7. Seal and process in boiling water for 10 minutes.

4) Strawberry Jam

Making strawberry jam is simple and fun. You can enjoy fresh flavors from your kitchen.

You will need fresh strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and pectin. These ingredients come together to create a delicious treat.

Begin by preparing your strawberries. Hull and clean about two pounds. Then, mix them with lemon juice and sugar in a large pot.

Cook the mixture on medium heat until it reaches a rolling boil. Stir in the pectin and keep boiling for a few minutes.

Next, pour the hot jam into sterilized jars. Seal them tightly and process in a water bath canner for about 10 minutes at 212°F (100°C).

This jam pairs perfectly with toast or as a filling in desserts!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 5 cups granulated sugar
• 1 package pectin

Cooking Instructions:

1. Hull and clean the strawberries.
2. Mix strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar in a pot.
3. Cook on medium heat until boiling.
4. Stir in pectin and boil for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.
6. Process in a water bath for 10 minutes.

5) Apple Butter

Making apple butter is a fun and tasty project. You can enjoy it on toast, biscuits, or even pancakes. This recipe is simple and perfect for water bath canning.

Start by gathering your apples. Choose a mix of sweet and tart varieties for the best flavor. You can skip peeling them if you like!

Ingredients:

• 5 pounds apples
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions:

1. Wash and core the apples, then chop them into small pieces.
2. Place the apples in a large pot and add sugar and spices. Stir well.
3. Cook the mixture over medium heat until the apples are soft, about 30 minutes.
4. Blend the mixture until smooth.
5. Pour the hot apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace.
6. Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes at a rolling boil (212°F/100°C).

6) Dill Pickles

Making dill pickles is a fun and tasty project. You’ll end up with crunchy, flavorful pickles that are perfect for snacks or burgers.

Start by gathering fresh pickling cucumbers. You’ll want to wash them well. Next, prepare your jars and fill them with garlic, dill heads, and pickling spices.

Combine water, vinegar, and salt in a pot. Heat this mixture until it dissolves.

Pour the hot brine into your jars, covering the cucumbers completely. Make sure to leave some space at the top.

Seal the jars tightly and process them in a hot water bath. This helps preserve your pickles. You’ll want to soak them for about 15 to 20 minutes in water heated to 180-185°F (82-85°C).

After canning, let the jars cool down before storing them. Your dill pickles will be ready to enjoy in a few weeks!

Ingredients

• Fresh pickling cucumbers
• Garlic cloves
• Fresh dill heads
• Pickling salt
• Water
• White vinegar

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash cucumbers.
2. Prepare jars with garlic and dill.
3. Mix water, vinegar, and salt. Heat until dissolved.
4. Pour brine into jars.
5. Seal jars tightly.
6. Process in a water bath for 15-20 minutes at 180-185°F (82-85°C).
7. Let jars cool before storage.

7) Blueberry Syrup

Making blueberry syrup is a fun and easy way to enjoy fresh flavors year-round. You can pour it over pancakes, ice cream, or use it in drinks. It takes just a few simple ingredients.

For this recipe, you’ll need fresh or frozen blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice. The combination brings out the sweetness of the berries perfectly.

You’ll want to heat the sugar mixture to 220°F (104°C) before adding the blueberry juice. This ensures the syrup thickens nicely.

The water bath canning method is perfect for preserving your syrup. This way, you can enjoy the taste of summer all year long.

Ingredients

• 2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash the blueberries and place them in a pot.
2. Add the sugar and lemon juice.
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches 220°F (104°C).
4. Pour into sterilized jars and process in a water bath for 10 minutes.

Chili Sauce

Chili sauce is a tasty addition to many dishes. It’s easy to make at home using the water bath canning method. You can customize it to fit your flavor preferences.

Start with fresh tomatoes, peppers, and spices. A simple recipe can yield several jars of this delicious sauce, perfect for gifts or your pantry.

You can thicken it by cooking it down. Keep stirring to avoid burning. Once it reaches the right consistency, fill your jars carefully.

Use a boiling water bath for canning. This method ensures that your chili sauce is preserved safely. Remember to leave some space at the top of the jars for expansion.

Ingredients

• 8 cups of diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chopped bell peppers
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 cup vinegar (5%)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine all ingredients.
2. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours.
3. Fill sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch space at the top.
4. Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

9) Pear Chutney

Making pear chutney is a delightful way to preserve fruit and add flavor to your meals. This recipe is simple and great for beginners.

You start by combining ripe pears with spices like cinnamon and ginger. This adds a lovely warmth to the chutney. Cook the mixture in a large pot over medium heat until the pears soften.

Once ready, you can can your chutney using the water bath method. Fill your jars, leaving a little space at the top. Seal them tightly and process in boiling water for about 10 minutes.

This chutney pairs well with meats and cheese, making it a versatile addition to your pantry.

Ingredients

• 4 cups diced pears
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup vinegar (apple cider or white)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently for about 30-45 minutes.
3. Prepare jars and lids.
4. Ladle the chutney into jars, leaving ½ inch headspace.
5. Seal jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Spiced Peaches

Making spiced peaches is a fun and rewarding project. This recipe brings out the sweet flavor of peaches while adding a warm touch of cinnamon. It’s perfect for preserving summer fruits.

You will need fresh peaches, sugar, water, and cinnamon. Start by peeling the peaches and cutting them into slices. Then, prepare a light syrup using sugar and water.

To can your peaches, pack them tightly into sterilized jars. Pour the hot syrup over the peaches, leaving some space at the top. Seal the jars tightly.

Process your jars in a water bath at 180°F (82°C) for about 25 minutes. This will help kill any bacteria and keep your peaches fresh for months.

You can enjoy these spiced peaches on their own, over ice cream, or in various recipes. It’s a delightful way to enjoy summer’s bounty all year round.

Ingredients

• Fresh peaches
• Sugar
• Water
• Cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice the peaches.
2. Make a light syrup with sugar and water.
3. Pack the peach slices in sterilized jars.
4. Pour hot syrup over peaches.
5. Seal the jars.
6. Process in a water bath at 180°F (82°C) for 25 minutes.