Best Canning Books + Recipes You’ll Love (Beginner to Advanced)
If you’re looking for the best canning books to help you get started or expand your skills, you’re in the right place.
Whether you're new to home preserving or already have experience, having a reliable cookbook makes all the difference. From trusted classics like the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving to modern recipe collections, the right resources can help you safely and confidently create delicious jams, fruits, and pantry staples.
In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite canning books, along with a recipe idea and tips to help you get started.
If you are new here or looking for something else, be sure to see all our easy canning recipes and resources.
Best Canning Books to Add to Your List
Best Canning Books for Beginners
- Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
You can see why we love this canning cookbook in our overview and review below. - The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving
It has more modern recipes and is very popular. - Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving
This is one that was passed on to me, a trusted classic. Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving: A long-trusted canning guide with step-by-step instructions and safe preserving methods. This is one of the most well-known beginner resources for home canning. 👉 Tip: If you’re shopping for it, prices can vary widely depending on edition and seller. - The All-in-One Canning & Home Preserving Bible: Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide
A step-by-step canning cookbook with 250+ small-batch recipes and water-bath and pressure canning guides for beginners.
Modern and Creative Canning Cookbooks
- Foods in Jars
Small batch recipes. - Naturally Sweet Foods in Jars
Lower sugar recipes. - The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving
Small batch preserving.
Best Canning Books for Homestead & From-Scratch Style
- Homestead Canning Cookbook
Hearty, traditional recipes. - Canning for a New Generation
Modern, seasonal approach.
Specialty Preserving Books
- Pickled Pantry
This book is pickling-focused. - Preserving by the Pint
Small batch and quick recipes.
If you are looking for another modern canning book, be sure to see this review: Modern Canning Recipes Cookbook.
One thing I’ve always loved—especially in the summer and fall—is canning. It’s such a rewarding way to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables and enjoy them later.
I may not have my garden or fruit trees anymore, but that hasn’t stopped me from canning. I used to grow and pick everything on a small acre ranch just outside of town, and I’ll admit, I sometimes miss those days.
It was a lot of work, but it was also incredibly rewarding. These days, I source fresh produce from local farms, which makes it just as enjoyable to continue preserving at home.
Next: We are sharing our review of Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving and Canning. Plus a recipe from the book for Blackberries in Framboise.
When I shop at the fruit stand or farmers market, I feel like I'm supporting small farmers and getting the best organic produce and veggies I can find for canning.
My grandmother taught me to can. She would come to my first home, packed full of small kids, and when they napped, we got to work. Working on small batches for several days, we preserved our harvest. They are memories that are close to my heart. Back then, she passed on a few books she no longer needed, but they helped me with my canning and canning recipes.
How to Can?
This cookbook has all the resources to get you started with canning but, as you scroll through the post you will find other canning tips, recipes and resources.
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving Review
Since moving, I've misplaced some of those books. Luckily for me, I recently had the chance to check out a few new cookbooks on canning
Today's cookbook review I am sharing is Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving:
It has 400 delicious and creative recipes for today. I had a booklet by Ball Canning, and it's always been a great resource. I was excited to check out this full-size Ball canning book.
After the review is a recipe, plus a few more resources. And a few recipes that I've tried.
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Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Get the Canning Cookbook here: (Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving).
Canning Book Overview and Review
When I first opened this book, I flipped through the pages of recipes. Hitting the back, there is an entire section on the art and science of home food preservation. Covering basics such as headspace, acidity, and spoilage. And ensuring quality foods, equipment, and processes.
I love the section on problem-solving. And a section for purchase vs prepared yield volumes. There is a seven-page glossary of terms in the back, too.
This canning book is good for the novice canner but, plenty of information for the more experienced canner
What You Will Find In This Canning Cookbook
Canning Book- Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Over 7 comprehensive recipe chapters include these topics
- Getting Started
- Soft Spreads
- Fabulous Fruits
- Salsa
- Relish and Chutney
- Condiments
- Perfect Pickles
- Tomatoes
- Pressure Canning
How To Can Blackberries?
Easy Canning Recipe Idea (Blackberries)
Blackberries in Framboise
Infusing the blackberries with a delectable flavor while the cinnamon and nutmeg give it a hint of spice.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Blackberries divided
- Water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 4 " cinnamon stick broken into pieces
- 1 tbsp. grated lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup framboise or other raspberry liqueur
Instructions
- In a stainless steel saucepan, place 2 cups of the blackberries. Using a potato masher, crush slightly.
- Add 3 tbsp.water.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. (for about 2 minutes)
- Strain through a dampened jelly bag or a strainer lined with several layers of dampened cheesecloth set over a glass measure to collect 1/2 cup of the blackberry juice.
- In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine sugar, cinnamon stick pieces, lemon zest, nutmeg, and 2 cups water.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes.
- Strain and return syrup to saucepan.
- Add blackberry juice, remaining blackberries, and framboise.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly but, gently so as not to crush blackberries.
- Use a slotted spoon, pack hot blackberries into hot jars within a generous 1/2 inch (1cm) from top of the jar.
- Ladle hot syrup into jar to cover blackberries, leaving 1/2 inch (1cm) headspace.
- Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot syrup.
- Wipe rims.
- Center lid on jar.
- Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight.
- Places jars in canner, ensuring they are completely covered with water.
- Bring to a boil and process for 10 minutes.
- Remove the canner lid. Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars, cool and store.
Meanwhile prepare canner, jars, and lids. (If you haven't already)
For more information for processing see pages 417-418
Notes
This is a copyrighted recipe from the book Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving shared with permission from Robert Rose Publishing. Please do not copy and share on your blogs. You can link to the recipe here on the site for your readers to grab a copy of the recipe for themselves. Thank you!
- Recipe page - 162
- For more information for processing see pages 417-418
- This recipe makes 4-8 ounce jars
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The book comes hardbound with concealed wire-bound pages. There are tips along with variations to many recipes. You will also find pretty images scattered throughout the book, not one image for each recipe. The canning book was originally published in 2006, with updates in 2012 and now in 2015.
- Published by Robert Rose. I did receive a copy for reviewing purposes. These are my 100% honest opinions.
- To preview another recipe or to purchase, visit Amazon: Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. The book is available on Amazon Prime for fast shipping.
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- Don't forget to Pin it for Later
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Tips for Getting Started with Canning
How to Prepare for Canning Season?
- (canning articles) Prepare for the Canning Season
When is canning season?
Canning Seasons
Find Your Canning Season (seasonal fruits and vegetables by State)
- It varies by region and state.
- In California, we have long growing seasons, which vary by fruit or vegetable, and harvests for some things go into September.
- Canning apples is easy, and you can harvest or go to you-pick farms up to November.
- Vegetables and Fruits in Season, Bay Area
- Vegetable Chart – (Via CUVSA.org) Eat Seasonally/Canning Recipes
Once you find your seasonal fruits and vegetables, purchase them to can and preserve! You don't have to be a farmer to be a canner. You can purchase your fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets, farm vendors, and nearby farm towns from stands or You Pick farms.
More Canning Resources & Recipes
👉 Easy Canning Recipes (Hub Page)
If you love these canning books, you may also enjoy these recipes and guides:
- Canning Resources Part 2
- Raspberry Freezer Jam
- Strawberry Peach Jam
- White Peach Jam plus more (canning and freezing resources)
- Canning Recipes + Labels
How-To: Can Tomatoes
Learn how to can tomatoes in this online class.
I took the online class to refresh my skills and see if there was more information I could learn and use. My grandma had taught me how to can, but it had been years. And I wanted to make sure I was canning with the current skill levels for food safety and preserving tomatoes. I thought the canning class was very helpful. This is a great class if you are a new canner.
How To Preserve Tomatoes: Online Class, How-To Can Tomatoes
Have you ever wanted to learn how to can tomatoes? This online class covers canning basics How to Can Tomatoes, taught by Karen Solomon on CreativeBug. I love CreativeBug classes, as you can either purchase the solo class or sign up for a subscription to access all classes. Get free access for 60 days! Including ones for the kids for summer! This is perfect for when summer slows down and is too hot for playing outdoors.
There are many online classes to pick from, and very affordable. Check out CreativeBug for yourself! I think and hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do!
Pin it for later
Seeing this brings back fond memories of my grandmother canning small green tomatoes from her garden. So good!
I have never canned green tomatoes but, I have had fried green tomatoes and they are pretty yummy! Another thing to consider. Did she use them for other things too?
I’ve always wanted to learn how to can! I tried my hand at freezer pickles and they came out so well! Now you’ve inspired me to try my hand at canning some of my favorite summer veggies! Thanks so much for sharing! Oh and I am dropping in from Munching Mondays! So happy that I clicked your link!
Gina Marie from Always Savory
Hi Gina, I have never made freezer pickles. Thanks for stopping by Gina & letting me know how you found me. Hope to see you again soon. Let me know if you do can. I’d love to see what you make.