Stew...Freezing or Canning?

[aggieterpkatie]

We have lots of venison in the freezer and pretty soon (in the next few months...trying to plan ahead) we'll need the space for a lamb, chickens, and more venison. I was thinking about making a huge batch of venison stew and either canning it or freezing it. I'd rather can it, because it's much easier to just open a can and heat it, rather than thawing out a frozen stew block. Plus, why am would I want to jam up the freezer space with stew when I am trying to clean it out?

So, I've never canned meat before. I'm a pretty good water bath canner, but I got a new pressure cooker for Christmas and it's only been used once, so I'd like to use it and get some use out of it. How would the texture of the meat come out? I guess I'll just cook the stew in one big batch, so everything will be cooked, then jar it and can it? Is the meat really tender once canned?

Do I need to add anything special to can it, or can I just make my regular stew?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[pioneergirl]

A few months ago I made chili from deer meat and canned it. I slow cooked it in the crock pot like normal, then followed the Ball Blue Book directions for canning. I will say that it sure came out 'stronger' after sitting for 3 months than if I'd have eaten it right then. The meat was tender and not mushy, even the beans held their firm texture.

I agree, I'd rather have canned meals than frozen ones...so much easier!

Hope this helped

 

[aggieterpkatie]

A few months ago I made chili from deer meat and canned it. I slow cooked it in the crock pot like normal, then followed the Ball Blue Book directions for canning. I will say that it sure came out 'stronger' after sitting for 3 months than if I'd have eaten it right then. The meat was tender and not mushy, even the beans held their firm texture.

I agree, I'd rather have canned meals than frozen ones...so much easier!

Hope this helped

Thank you!!

 

[ORChick]

------ "but I got a new pressure cooker for Christmas" -----

I'm not a canner, but there are many here who are, and they will have lots of advice for you, I'm sure. But one thing I do know - if your Christmas present is indeed a "pressure cooker", that is not the same as a "pressure canner". I don't know if the difference is only in size, but have always heard one shouldn't "can" in a "cooker".

BTW -

 

[aggieterpkatie]

------ "but I got a new pressure cooker for Christmas" -----

I'm not a canner, but there are many here who are, and they will have lots of advice for you, I'm sure. But one thing I do know - if your Christmas present is indeed a "pressure cooker", that is not the same as a "pressure canner". I don't know if the difference is only in size, but have always heard one shouldn't "can" in a "cooker".

BTW -

Thanks for the concern. This is the canner I have (sorry, I called it a cooker). It came with a recipe book for cooking (pressure cooking) in it too.

 

[freemotion]

We rarely eat stew that has been frozen, but once I started canning it, we eat lots and lots of "leftovers!" It is an enormous time and freezer space saver.

I just heat the stew to boiling, I don't cook it, when I can it. Pressure canning thoroughly cooks the stew, similar in texture to what you would get in the crock pot. So only use veggies that hold up well to these methods. I use rutabagas (even if you don't care for them the flavors tend to meld), carrots, and collards. They don't get mushy. I add pasta or grains when serving if I want to, but I usually don't, since we have reduced our grain consumption....this way I can have a biscuit or something with my stew without worrying about my digestion or my weight.

I used kale in one batch, but I really don't like the taste of kale. It held up beautifully, though, so consider it if you like it.

 

[Dace]

Another thought would be to just can the cubes meat. Then you can use it quickly and easily for other meals as well.... Quick soups\ stews, chili, tacos, casseroles etc

 

[aggieterpkatie]

We rarely eat stew that has been frozen, but once I started canning it, we eat lots and lots of "leftovers!" It is an enormous time and freezer space saver.

I just heat the stew to boiling, I don't cook it, when I can it. Pressure canning thoroughly cooks the stew, similar in texture to what you would get in the crock pot. So only use veggies that hold up well to these methods. I use rutabagas (even if you don't care for them the flavors tend to meld), carrots, and collards. They don't get mushy. I add pasta or grains when serving if I want to, but I usually don't, since we have reduced our grain consumption....this way I can have a biscuit or something with my stew without worrying about my digestion or my weight.

I used kale in one batch, but I really don't like the taste of kale. It held up beautifully, though, so consider it if you like it.

Thanks for the info! I'm planning on using meat (obviously ), potatoes, and carrots. I don't currently have rutabegas, but I could buy some. Using greens is a good idea too!

And thanks for the tip about cooking. I definitely don't want mush, so I'll just make sure it's thoroughly heated.

So, stupid question, should I cook the venison, then add to the rest of the stuff and heat it, or should I just add everything (raw meat, veggies, etc) in the pot and heat it?

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Another thought would be to just can the cubes meat. Then you can use it quickly and easily for other meals as well.... Quick soups\ stews, chili, tacos, casseroles etc

Good idea! I'll probably do some of that as well!

 

[Farmfresh]

Another thought would be to just can the cubes meat. Then you can use it quickly and easily for other meals as well.... Quick soups\ stews, chili, tacos, casseroles etc

This was going to be my suggestion as well. Why limit the meat to being a stew? It could be a pot pie, or a stir fry over rice. It could be a venison curry or kabobs. It could be a BBQ sandwich or .... let your thoughts run wild! I much prefer canning meats as just meat. Now if I happen to make a big old pot of stew and have lots of leftovers ... well that is different!