There’s something deeply comforting and healing about a bowl of homemade soup, especially when it’s made from ingredients you’ve grown and preserved yourself. Home-canned soups offer a range of health benefits, from providing gentle support during illness to offering nourishing, nutrient-rich meals during busy seasons when you need a quick, satisfying option.
This winter, I experienced firsthand the immense relief of having a pantry stocked with home-canned soups. When life threw me a curveball, these soups were a lifesaver, giving my family the nourishment we needed while I focused on recovering.
Whether you’re recovering from illness, dealing with a busy schedule, or just looking for a simple way to fill your family’s bellies with goodness, these homemade soups are a true gift. The beauty of pressure-canning is that it retains much of the nutritional value of the ingredients, while keeping your soups free from the preservatives and excess sodium found in store-bought options.
I’ve put together three of my favorite home-canned soups—Turkey Soup, Vegetable Soup, and Beef Soup. These soups are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your health and recovery. Each recipe is designed to fill seven quart-sized jars, making them easy to store and ready when you need them most.
Turkey Soup: A Nourishing Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 7 cups cooked turkey meat diced
- 7 cups carrots chopped
- 7 cups celery diced
- 3½ cups onions diced
- 7 cloves garlic minced
- 14 cups turkey or chicken broth (approximate volume)
- Salt, pepper, and dry herbs to taste
Instructions
- Layer turkey, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic evenly into 7 quart jars, filling halfway.
- Add your preferred seasoning, then top off with hot broth, leaving 1-inch headspace.
- Process at 10 pounds pressure for 90 minutes.
Vegetable Soup: A Nutrient-Rich Option for Every Meal
Ingredients
- 3½ cups carrots diced
- 3½ cups green beans cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3½ cups corn kernels
- 3½ cups diced tomatoes
- 3½ cups potatoes diced
- 3½ cups onions diced
- 7 cloves garlic minced
- 14 cups vegetable broth (approximate volume)
- Salt, pepper, and dry herbs to taste
Instructions
- Layer all the veggies and garlic into 7 quart jars, filling halfway.
- Add your seasoning, then pour in the hot broth, leaving 1-inch headspace.
- Process at 10 pounds pressure for 90 minutes.
Beef Soup: A Hearty, Protein-Packed Meal
Ingredients
- 3½ pounds lean beef cubed and browned
- 3½ cups carrots diced
- 3½ cups potatoes diced
- 3½ cups celery diced
- 3½ cups onions diced
- 7 cloves garlic minced
- 14 cups beef broth (approximate volume)
- Salt, pepper, and dry herbs to taste
Instructions
- Layer browned beef, carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, and garlic into 7 quart jars, filling halfway.
- Add seasoning, then top with hot beef broth, leaving 1-inch headspace.
- Process at 10 pounds pressure for 90 minutes.
Pressure Canning Safety: Essential Tips
Pressure canning is a safe and effective method for preserving soups, but it’s important to follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of your canned goods:
Always use tested recipes, recommended processing times and adjust pressure for your elevation.
Leave sufficient headspace in the jars—about 1 inch—to allow for expansion during processing.
Use a pressure canner (never a boiling water bath) for low-acid foods like meats and vegetables.
Make sure the jars are filled with clear broth, ensuring solids don’t exceed half the jar for adequate heat penetration.
These guidelines are crucial for safe canning, especially when you’re first starting out. Take your time to learn the basics, and you’ll soon feel confident experimenting with your own pressure-canned creations.
The Power of Home-Canned Soups
Home-canned soups are not only convenient but also provide a deeply nourishing and healing meal for you and your family. By taking the time to can your own soups, you can enjoy nutrient-dense, homemade food without the worry of additives or preservatives. Plus, these soups are gentle on the digestive system, making them ideal for times of illness or recovery.
I hope these recipes inspire you to fill your pantry with homemade goodness. You’ve got this, and I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way!
Happy canning!
