Knowledgebase
Canning ground beef #859758
Asked February 23, 2024, 7:22 PM EST
I pressure can browned ground beef frequently, following NCHFP guidelines. I cannot locate any information about adding some onion, pepper, or mushroom to the beef when using broth only. It makes sense that it would be safe, but I would like to verify. Thank you!
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Sandra,
Please refer to the following document regarding safe substitutions for canning:
https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2023-08/fn2102.pdf
Info for canned meats:
Meat is low in acid and must be canned in a pressure canner.
You may:
Add a small amount of seasoning, onions or garlic when home-canning meat using an
approved recipe without changing the processing time.
For safety, you may NOT:
Add meat to a recipe unless the recipe allows this addition. For example, do not add meat to
spaghetti sauce unless a tested recipe allows for this ingredient.
Add thickeners such as flour, cornstarch, rice, pasta or barley to canned meat products.
Add fat to canned meat products.
Therefore, adding seasoning, onions or garlic would be fine, but we do not suggest adding other ingredients like mushrooms. I am unsure if the "pepper" you are referring to is a seasoning or a vegetable. Seasoning = yes. Vegetable = no.
-Nicole Arnold, Arnold<personal data hidden>
