Wondering how to can corn? You’ve come to the right page. In this article, we will teach you how to can your corn harvest in 5 easy steps. Here’s how you get started.
RELATED: 26 Canning Ideas And Recipes For The Homestead | Homesteading
In this article:
- Preserving Corn Harvest
- How to Can Corn With a Pressure Canner
- Cooking Creamed Corn Straight from the Can
- Other Ways to Preserve Corn
- Commonly Asked Questions
How to Easily Can Corn on the Cob
Preserving Corn Harvest
Canning corn from your own garden or from a local producer is better than buying from grocery stores. It will ensure you that what you’ll eat is freshly harvested, without any preservatives.
Making your own home-canned corn does take a bit of work compared to other produce. It may take you around 1 ½ hour using a pressure canner. But, it’s not hard. And while waiting, you can also use the time to research the recipes you can use your corn with.
A lot of people also like the taste of frozen corn. If your family prefers frozen over canned corn, try experimenting with freezing corn, too. Other corn preservation techniques will also be discussed in the latter section of this article.
So, here’s how to can corn. Let’s get started.
Ingredients and Materials Needed
First, prepare the following ingredients and canning supplies:
Ingredients
- Corn (approximately 32 pounds of per 7 quarts of canner load)
- Canning salt
Materials
- Pressure Canner
- Canning jar and lids
- Canning jar lifter and magnetic wand
- Canning funnel
- Large pot (for blanching)
- Water boiler
- Tongs
- Bowls
- Knife
- Large spoons
- Cookie sheets
- Dishcloths or paper towels
Step 1: Blanch Corn
First, blanch your corn. Place the cobs in hot, boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, cool them immediately in a large bowl filled with ice-cold water. Remember to not cook the cobs, just blanch them. This will help you cut the kernels out of the cobs.
Step 2: Cut Kernels
Next, cut the kernels from its cob by running your knife down the sides. Remember to aim getting about three-fourths of the kernel and not cut into the cub. Then, place the kernels on a cookie sheet.
Step 3: Prepare Canning Jars
After, prepare your canner and the canning jars. To add seasoning, add 1 teaspoon of salt per pint inside the jars before you pack the kernels lightly inside.
Step 4: Add Boiling Water In Jar
Add boiling water inside the jars, and leave at least an inch of headspace. Then, wipe the rims of the canning jars, so there are no food particles that will interfere with the jar seal.
Step 5: Complete the Process
After this, put on the canning lids and add the screw bands. Put a jar in the pressure canner to begin the canning process.
RELATED: When To Harvest Corn | Homesteading Guide For Happy Harvesters
How to Can Corn With a Pressure Canner
To produce pints, you need to place the canning jars in a pressure canner for 55 minutes. For quarts, the process may take you around 1 hour and 25 minutes.
The adjustments for your pressure canner will depend on the altitude in feet. For 0 to 1,000 feet, your dial gauge canner should be set to 11, while your weighted gauge canner should be set to 10.
For 1,001 to 2,000 feet, the dial gauge canner should also be set to 11, while the weighted gauge canner should be set to 15. For every increase of 1,000 feet in altitude, increase your dial gauge canner by 1. On the other hand, the weighted gauge canner would remain at 15.
Cooking Creamed Corn Straight from the Can
After canning your corn cobs, you might be wondering about the recipes you can make with them. If you like creamed corn, here’s an easy recipe you can also follow.
- First, open your canned jar and boil the kernels for around 10 minutes.
- Then, simmer them for another 10 minutes.
- Put all the kernels inside a blender, and add ½ cup of cream.
- Your cream can be a mix of evaporated milk or another cream that you like. Then, add butter and salt to season.
That’s it. Easy, right? This can make a quick afternoon snack, and even side dishes to your meals.
Other Ways to Preserve Corn
Aside from home-canning corn, there are also other ways on how you can preserve corn.
- Freezing. You can freeze either the whole cob or just the kernels in the fridge until you are ready to use them for cooking.
- Make a corn cob jelly. Mix the kernels with jelly, and add enough sugar to taste.
- Another idea is to make corn relish. First, mix the kernels with veggies, spices, vinegar, and water. Simmer the ingredients, put everything in a canning jar, and follow the pressure canning process above.
- Dehydrate corn. Just like a lot of veggies, you can also dehydrate the cobs or even the kernels alone. To do this, first, blanch your corn for around 5 minutes and place the kernels in a dehydrating tray.
Then, dry them at 120°F for around 12 hours until they’re crispy. Store them in an airtight jar
Commonly Asked Questions
Does canning corn really take me so much time?
Yes, canning corn will really take around 1 ½ hours because of the corn’s acidity. According to the National Center for Home Preservation, to avoid Botulism, the corn canning process should take longer. This is because corn is more starchy as compared to other vegetables.
Botulism is a type of severe food poisoning caused by the indigestion of foods that contain Botulin. So, to be careful, we should strictly follow the canning process.
Is it normal for corn kernels to darken a bit and for water to dry during the canning process?
Yes, it is not unusual for the kernels to turn golden during the process. This may be due to the variety of corn that you use. As for the water loss, it is also okay. This is usually caused by taking the jars out of the canner too soon.
Check out this video by StyleCraze to learn more about the health benefits of corn:
How to can corn may take a long time, but it is definitely easy. Preserving your own corn will also make you sure that the kernels you will be eating is fresh, too. All you need to prepare is your pressure canner, some jars, and the kernels.
Do you have any recipes that can include your canned corn? Share them in the comments section below.
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