1st time canning deer meat

[hillbillygal]

Wish me luck! I've been reading the articles by my hero Jackie Clay ;) and have been inspired enough to attempt this today. I read the other thread about canning deer burger and I think I will try it first and then can some stew meat afterwards. I like the idea of not having to open the freezer to get meat if the power is off. Also, not risking losing what little meat I have so far!

[Gibbonboy]

Good for you! I've been canning venison for a long time, and is in fact the reason I bought a pressure canner. I eat or freeze the tenderloins and backstraps, then can pretty much the rest of the meat. Most is stew meat, some smaller dice and the rest is burger. I add a bit of salt, but no other seasonings.

It's great to just pop a jar when you want to make dinner, not just when the power is out. No defrosting, long cooking, or planning ahead. I can walk into the pantry (which in my 175 year old house is bigger than both my bathrooms together, and designed for canned goods) and decide on the spot what to make, based on what's in there, and what we feel like eating.

First time you bite into that tender, flavorful meat, you'll be hooked for sure! Best of luck.

[hillbillygal]

Everything went well and I now have some of the prettiest cans of meat. I'm excited to can some more as soon as I replenish my supplies.

[Mrs._B]

Hi there, Hillbillygal.

I just started canning venison about 2 years ago. It's wonderful, isn't it. The venison comes out of the jar just as tender as can be. DH got another this year, but didn't get one during muzzle loader season.

Good stuff!,
Belated congrats to you!

Susan

[dreams_in_color]

How do you prepare the meat for canning? My husband usually brings home a couple of deer a year. Right now we freeze it. I would like to be able to can some of it.. Keep in mind that I have never ever ever canned and this will be a first.

[Mrs._B]

Following tested procedures. Please refer to this web page. Good luck!
;D
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_05/ground_chopped.html

Susan (Mrs B)

[dreams_in_color]

I bought a canner today off Craigslist. It is a 12 quart and I paid 20.00 for it. Was used 1 year to can deer meat. The recipe in the link called for ground or chopped meat. Would I use the same time frame for stew meat?

[blackpowderbill]

No spices, don't add any spices except maybe a tad of salt.

Something I found out makes some spices turn bitter.

Also remove all the tallow.

good luck !

I've canned deer, beaver, venison sausage, weiners,kielbasa and more all turned out great.

[blackpowderbill]

How do you prepare the meat for canning? My husband usually brings home a couple of deer a year. Right now we freeze it. I would like to be able to can some of it.. Keep in mind that I have never ever ever canned and this will be a first.


Clean it up, pack a jar full and pressure can according to instructions that came with your canner.

[dreams_in_color]

So you put the meat in without any liquids?

[DM]

So you put the meat in without any liquids?

I've always packed the meat in, added what ever spices i wanted, and then added water to fill the jar, leaving room for expansion...

I've canned deer, moose, carobou, and others... All came out just fine.

DM

[AuntJenny]

You can either raw pack or cook it some first. I usually cook mine some first just so it shrinks down some and I can get more into the jars that way. When I pre cook I add beef broth to the venison. I like the texture better with pre cooking...less tough in my opinion.
I cook up taco meat with elk, or beef or venison..whatever burger I have, seasoned and onions added and then can it up in pint jars too..really handy. I can up just browned burger with no seasoning too. It is so handy to have on hand. I am working on some elk and venison now..canning it up as I have time. It is frozen, and I get out enough for a canner load and then cook it up some and can it.
You CAN can it rawpack too..and it works well. I do that if I have alot of meat to can and not alot of freezer space. I use quart jars more often when I raw pack and pints when I pre cook.