Top 5 Food Preservation Methods you Can Do at Home

Top 5 Food Preservation Methods you Can Do at Home

Part of having a self-sufficient life is to grow your own food and then store it properly for later use. There is an art to food preparation and storage. If you take the time to grow your own fruits and vegetables, raise your own animals, and hunt for game, you will naturally want to find a way to store it properly so it lasts as long as possible.

There are several main food preservation methods that you can do at home that will help you store your food more effectively for the long term. These include canning, freezing, drying, vacuum packing, and smoking. Some of these methods can work together. For example, you can dry beef to make beef jerky, then you would want to smoke and maybe even vacuum pack it. Other methods can be done on their own, such as canning or smoking.

Method 1 – Canning

Canning is a good way to preserve things that have been cooked. For example, people like to stew tomatoes and then can them. They then use them instead of canned tomatoes when making things like pasta sauce and soups. Other common things to can include vegetables like corn, peas, and beets as well as pickled vegetables, jams, and preserves. The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving is a great resource for the beginner!

Method 2 – Freezing

There is an art to freezing things effectively. You may can things like meat, cheese, fruit, and vegetables. Plus, there are varying methods. For example, some people claim that you should blanch the vegetable in boiling water (with or without sauce) before placing in the proper packaging. Others say you don’t need to do that. The proper container also makes a big difference.

 Method 3 – Drying

Drying is when you take something and dry it out under favorable conditions. This includes things like herbs, prepared foods like beef jerky, and fruit. For example, dried apple rings can be quite tasty and a way to extend the apple harvests a little further. However, you can dry pretty much any type of fruit. The Excalibur Food Dehydrator handles all of this with ease.

However, bear in mind that the proper conditions need to be in place so that the dried food doesn’t dry out improperly. When you are first getting started, make sure you determine what you need to do for the foods you want to dry. Freeze drying is also another method but it is considered an offshoot of drying.

Method 4 – Vacuum Packing

This is also another good way to preserve things so that they stay extra fresh. You can vacuum pack things like prepared foods, dried meat or jerky, and freshly milled flower. In fact, there is very little that can’t benefit from vacuum packing. Make sure you buy an effective machine for it and follow the package instructions. I really like the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System

Method 5 – Smoking

Smoking your food is another great example of a food preservation method. One of the greatest benefits is that it can help you extend the shelf life of many meats. Not only that, but it tastes delicious. Smoked salmon, for example, is considered a delicacy.

Once you start using a smoker, you will notice a huge difference in the way your meat tastes. Besides, this is one of the most popular ways to serve bacon. If you raise pigs, for example, this is a particular thing to consider, especially if you really love the flavor.

 The Wrap-Up

When it comes to preserving your food, there are some things that you can do to extend the shelf life of your prepared foods, harvest, and meats. These methods will help you stock a complete pantry year round and allow you to prepare great meals no matter the season. This is why you will want to find great home food storage plans.

Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She writes for many online establishments and partners with those ones that offer alternative lifestyles to consumers.  As a frugal living advocate, she recommends DailyBread.com for those budget conscious individuals who want to get big savings in shopping for food and food storage.  You may follow her in Twitter @empressofdrac.

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