There’s nothing more satisfying than opening your pantry to find a variety of ready-to-eat, homemade meals that are both nourishing and shelf-stable. Meals in a jar recipes for canning are becoming increasingly popular among busy families, homesteaders, and meal preppers alike—offering a convenient, time-saving solution without sacrificing quality or flavor. Whether you’re planning for a busy week, stocking your emergency food supply, or simply want to make dinnertime easier, having pre-cooked meals in jars means less stress and more wholesome eating.
These home-canned meals in a jar are as versatile as they are delicious. From hearty stews and savory soups to complete entrées like chicken pot pie filling or chili con carne, the options are endless. Imagine having comfort food ready at a moment’s notice—no need for thawing or long cook times. With just a quick reheat, you can enjoy a homemade meal packed with real ingredients and seasoned to perfection. It’s fast food—but better, and made with love.
As more people search for shelf-stable meals, easy canning recipes, and meal prep ideas that last, the trend of canning full meals continues to grow. In this post, I’ll share some of the most popular and tried-and-true meals in a jar canning recipes that you’ll want to preserve season after season. Whether you’re a seasoned home canner or just getting started, these recipes will help you stock your pantry with delicious, ready-made meals that you can trust.
Enjoy preserving a variety of meals in a jar this canning season and stock your pantry with wholesome, ready-made meals you and your family will love. Need more ideas? Be sure to purchase my latest book, The Canning Diva Presents Meals in a Jar, to discover meals from cuisines all over the world. Expand your palette and stock your pantry!
Click a link from the categories below for the article and recipe, which you may download into a PDF and save or print. Recipe cards are at the bottom of every article.
Meat & Poultry Meals in a Jar Canning Recipes
Spicy Chicken with Canary Beans
Pulled Mexican Chicken in a Jar
Soup & Stew Canning Recipes
Pumpkin with White Beans and Bacon
Smokey Bell Pepper Soup with Reposado Tequila
Vegetarian Meals in a Jar Canning Recipes
Butternut Squash and Chickpea Hash
If you loved have these meals in a jar at your fingertips, you’ll find even more delicious and time-saving recipes in my cookbook, The Canning Diva Presents Meals in a Jar. Inside, you’ll discover a wide variety of complete meals for every taste and lifestyle—including an entire chapter dedicated to vegetarian meals in a jar, and another focused on safe ingredient substitutions to help you customize recipes without compromising food safety.
Whether you’re canning for convenience, preparedness, or simply to enjoy wholesome homemade meals year-round, this book is your trusted guide to building a pantry full of flavor and flexibility.
For more meals in a jar canning recipes, pick up your copy of The Canning Diva Presents Meals in a Jar book! Go beyond pressure canning fruits and vegetables and learn to create and store entire meals that don’t require freezing and refrigeration. Shelf-stable meals at your fingertips! Simply pop open jar, heat, and eat!
Happy Canning!
Diane, The Canning Diva®
www.canningdiva.com