How to Preserve Food at Home: A Beginner’s Guide to Food Preservation

In a world of rising food prices and supply chain uncertainty, learning to preserve your own food is more valuable than ever. Not only does it reduce waste and save money, but it also gives you greater control over your emergency food supply.

Whether you’re growing a garden, buying in bulk, or just want to make the most of your groceries, this guide will walk you through the most common—and beginner-friendly—methods of food preservation.

Why Learn Food Preservation?

Preserving food at home helps you:

• Build a reliable pantry for emergencies
• Save money by buying or growing in-season produce
• Reduce food waste
• Gain useful skills for self-reliance

 

Methods of Preservation:

1. Freezing

Best for: Fruits, vegetables, meat, broth, baked goods, soups, and leftovers.

How to Freeze Properly:

• Use airtight freezer bags or containers to prevent freezer burn.
• Label items with the date and contents.
• Blanch vegetables before freezing to preserve color and texture.
• Freeze food in meal-sized portions for easy use later.

Tip: Lay freezer bags flat when freezing for easier storage and faster thawing.

 

2. Canning

Best for: Jams, jellies, tomatoes, sauces, pickles, meats, soups.

There are two safe methods:

Water Bath Canning

• For high-acid foods like fruits, pickles, and tomato-based sauces.
• Requires a canning pot, jars, lids, and a rack.
• Process jars in boiling water for a specified time.

Pressure Canning

• For low-acid foods like meats, beans, and vegetables.
• Requires a pressure canner to reach high temperatures and kill bacteria like botulism.

Tip: Always follow trusted, tested recipes from sources like the USDA or Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving to ensure safety. (Here is the Amazon link to our recommended Canning Book great for beginners and experts alike- contains recipes and specific how to instructions) 

 

3. Dehydrating

Best for: Fruits, vegetables, herbs, jerky, and snacks.

How to Dehydrate:

• Use a dehydrator, oven, or even air-dry herbs.
• Slice food uniformly so it dries evenly.
• Store dried foods in airtight containers in a cool, dark place.

Tip: Vacuum sealing dried foods can extend their shelf life for years.

 

4. Fermenting

Best for: Sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kefir, pickles.

Basics of Fermentation:

• Uses salt, time, and beneficial bacteria to preserve and enhance flavor.
• Store fermenting foods in glass jars with breathable lids (or burping systems).
• Keep at room temperature until fermented, then refrigerate.

Tip: Fermented foods are not only preserved but also great for gut health.

 

5. Vacuum Sealing

Best for: Extending the life of frozen or dry foods, grains, and pantry staples.

How It Works:

• Removes air from packaging to slow spoilage.
• Great for long-term storage in the freezer or pantry.

Tip: Combine vacuum sealing with freezing or dehydrating for maximum shelf life. You can find vacuum sealers for plastic packaging (Amazon link), but you can also find vacuum sealers for glass canning jars (Amazon link) as well.

 

6. Root Cellaring

Best for: Apples, carrots, potatoes, squash, onions, and garlic.

How to Use a Root Cellar:

• Store in a cool, dark, humid environment.
• Keep produce off the ground and allow air circulation.
• No electricity needed—just the right temperature and moisture balance.

Tip: Even a basement or unheated garage can serve as a makeshift root cellar.

 

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to master every method at once. Start with one—like freezing or water bath canning—and build from there. Over time, you’ll learn how to make your food last longer, waste less, and keep your pantry stocked for any situation.

At Ready & Prepped, we believe that learning food preservation is a practical step toward self-reliance, security, and peace of mind.

Start small. Stay steady. Stay Ready & Prepped.

 

To learn about food storage, check out this article.

To learn about growing a garden, check out this article.

To learn about growing food indoors, check out this article.

To learn about container gardening, check out this article.