Learning to Can Meat: From Intimidation to Confidence — and Faith — in My Kitchen
Today I’m pressure canning beef for the first time.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!I’ve canned chicken before — and it was a success! My husband’s only complaint? It was a little bland, like canned chicken from a store. There isn’t much flavor to plain chicken. He felt that when you use canned chicken, it doesn’t really absorb the flavor of the dish the same way fresh chicken does.
This time, I’m trying something different. I seasoned the chicken generously with Italian seasoning, garlic, and herbs before canning it, hoping those flavors would hold up through the pressure canning process. I really think that it will make a difference when pulling out the can of chicken. However, to try one more way, I did a few jars of chicken in broth so they could be used in things that might not taste as good with Italian seasoning and garlic.
Trying something new in the kitchen always brings a mix of excitement and nerves. But I’ve learned something about myself: once I do something one time, I feel much more confident doing it again, even if it doesn’t turn out as well as I hoped. Each success boosts my confidence, and I want to try new things.
Convenience
I have realized how convenient and nice it is to have my own canned food or meals. I’ve enjoyed how much having food ready makes a big difference, giving me more time after work to do other tasks. I know that when dinner doesn’t take so long, I have time to stay on top of household chores during the week, so I don’t have to spend much of my weekend cleaning and prepping for the week ahead.
And honestly? That lesson doesn’t just apply to canning.
Faith
Sometimes I feel the same way about my faith. There are moments when I realize how little I truly know about the Bible. The more I study it and begin to understand it, the more I see how much deeper it goes. It can feel overwhelming — even intimidating. There is also so much that can be applied to daily life, and raising children with a strong biblical background is something I want to do. It’s a work in progress and can be overwhelming because there is so much to learn. Like trying something new, there’s excitement in the process.
However, I want to learn more. I want to grow. But sometimes it feels so big that I don’t know where to begin.
Have you ever felt that way when taking on something new? Or maybe not even something new — just something important? Something weighty? Something that matters enough that you’re afraid of doing it wrong?
Faith can feel like that for me sometimes. But just like canning, I’ve learned that growth comes one step at a time. One jar. One lesson. One chapter. One prayer. And each time I show up, even imperfectly, the intimidation fades just a little more.
Moving from Chicken to Beef
When I saw roasts on sale at Sam’s Club, I decided to take advantage of them. We prefer buying local meat when we can, but I also stock up during good sales — especially when I know it’s going into something like canning.
For our regular family roasts, I like to use our local beef as I think it has better flavor and doesn’t need to be seasoned as much. But this beef was purchased with canning in mind. I trimmed it, cubed it, packed it into jars, and added beef broth instead of just water and salt. I’m hoping the broth gives it a richer flavor.
Since pressure canning takes about 2½ to 3 hours total (bringing it to pressure, processing time, and natural depressurizing), I always try to fill my canner completely. It just makes sense to maximize the time and effort. I even cubed up some chicken that was also on sale, so I could run a full load.
Efficiency matters when you’re investing that much time. If I’m going to make something, I want to make as much as I can to be used for all sorts of things.
But stewardship matters too.
2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Stewardship in the Kitchen
What is stewardship? Stewardship is the responsible planning, management, and care of resources, property, or responsibilities entrusted to one’s care. It involves acting as a caretaker rather than an owner, focusing on sustainability, ethical use, and leaving resources better for future generations.
The Bible talks often about stewardship — managing well what God has entrusted to us.
Food. Finances. Time. Energy.
Canning has become one way I practice stewardship in our home. I want to pass down the knowledge to my children about the importance of healthy, wholesome food. Also, I want to help keep those traditions alive — the ones where food is grown, prepared, and preserved with care.
I also want to use our money wisely, and growing and preserving our own food is one way we can do that. It’s not always easy. It takes planning, effort, and sometimes a lot of energy — which is why I try to fill the canner completely each time. If I’m going to invest the time, I want to do it well.
But I’ve also realized something important: the extra time and work now create more time later. When meals are already prepared and sitting on the shelf, I’m freed up to sit with my kids, listen to them, and be present.
When I preserve meat that was on sale, I’m stretching our grocery budget.
When I use vegetables from our garden, I’m honoring the provision God has given us.
When I prepare meals ahead of time, I’m caring for my family’s future needs.
Proverbs 31 describes a woman who “looks well to the ways of her household.” That verse has taken on new meaning for me. Looking well to the ways of my household doesn’t have to mean elaborate meals every night. Sometimes it means jars lined up on a pantry shelf — quiet evidence of preparation and care.
The Intimidation Factor (and Faith)
Canning meat feels different than canning green beans or tomatoes. Meats have different processing times, different safety rules, and higher stakes. Everything has its own expectations.
The first time I canned chicken, I was nervous. I double-checked everything. I reread the instructions. I listened closely to the canner. I was even nervous to try it.
But once I had done it successfully, the fear faded. I felt success and was also excited for the possibilities.
That process reminded me of how faith often works. We step into something new, feeling unsure. We pray. We prepare. We trust. And when we see God’s faithfulness carry us through, the next step feels less intimidating.
Joshua 1:9 says, “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Even in the kitchen.
Even in something as ordinary as canning meat.
God cares about the ordinary rhythms of our lives. He meets us there.
Why Canning Has Been a Blessing for Our Family
What started as something intimidating has become something deeply empowering.
Canning has:
- Lowered our grocery bills.
- Given us ready-to-go meals.
- Made weeknights easier.
- Helped us eat healthier.
- Provided a sense of food security.
Recently, illness hit our house. Because I had meals canned in pints, I was able to grab a jar for lunch, heat it up, and go. No extra prep. No stress. Just real food, ready in minutes. It also made dinners easy to whip up when my attention and energy are needed in multiple places.
We live somewhere without easy lunch/dinner options nearby. No, going to a fast-food place or a restaurant without driving 30 minutes or more. Having a shelf of ready-made meals isn’t just convenient — it’s necessary. It’s also healthier, and that is a big motivator for me as well. I want to have as little proceesed and preserved products as possible.
In those moments, I felt grateful. Grateful that past-me had taken the time. Grateful that God provided the means. Grateful that preparation made room for rest when we needed it most.
canning chili
Convenience Without Compromise
What I love most is that this is convenience food — but better.
I know exactly what’s in it.
Many ingredients came from our garden.
There are no unnecessary additives or preservatives.
It’s similar to store-bought pre-cooked meals in convenience, but it’s far superior in quality.
And there’s something deeply satisfying about opening a jar and knowing:
I prepared this.
I stewarded what God gave us.
I cared for my family ahead of time.
Cooking this way feels slower in the moment — but it creates margin later. And margin is a gift.
Learning What We’ll Actually Use
I’m also learning to think strategically:
- What flavors do we actually enjoy?
- Will we use this in multiple meals?
- Does it fit our lifestyle?
- Is this something we’ll reach for on a busy evening?
Not every experiment will be perfect. Some batches will be better than others. But every round teaches me something.
Growth in the kitchen — like growth in faith — is often gradual. You learn. You adjust. You try again.
And confidence builds one experience at a time.
Feeding My Family With Joy
Beyond the savings, the efficiency, and the preparedness — there’s something deeper.
I genuinely enjoy feeding my family this way.
There’s a quiet joy in knowing:
- I made this.
- I prayed over this home.
- I’m nourishing the people God entrusted to me.
It’s not about perfection. It’s not about doing everything from scratch every day. It’s about love expressed in practical ways.
Trying something new can feel intimidating. But I’ve learned that once I take that first step — whether in canning or in life — God is faithful to meet me there.
And sometimes, that first batch of canned beef isn’t just about food.
It’s about faithfulness.
It’s about stewardship.
It’s about courage in the ordinary.
It’s about loving your family well — one jar at a time.