10 Best Canning Books 2026 in the United States

The 'Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving' is a popular choice for anyone interested in home canning, from beginners to more experienced preservers. With 448 pages, the book offers a comprehensive guide to canning that covers a wide range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and more. It includes detailed information on various canning methods such as water bath and pressure canning, making it a versatile resource for different preservation needs.

The recipe variety is impressive, providing numerous options to explore and try out, keeping the canning process exciting and diverse. In terms of instruction clarity, the book is well-regarded for its easy-to-follow steps and helpful tips, which are particularly useful for those new to canning. Safety guidelines are thoroughly covered, ensuring that users can preserve their food safely and effectively, which is a crucial aspect of home canning.

However, the book's large size and weight may make it less portable, and its dense content might be overwhelming for absolute beginners who prefer more visual or simplified guides. Despite these minor drawbacks, it remains a highly recommended resource for anyone serious about home preserving.

The All New Ball Book Of Canning And Preserving is a comprehensive guide, featuring over 350 recipes for canning, jamming, pickling, and preserving. This book caters to both beginners and experienced canners with its wide range of recipes. It covers a variety of foods from fruits and vegetables to meats and condiments, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen.

The book includes clear, step-by-step instructions and detailed safety guidelines, which help ensure safe and successful canning processes. The spiral-bound format is user-friendly, allowing the book to lay flat while you work. However, at 368 pages and weighing 2.25 pounds, it might be considered bulky for some users.

Additionally, while it offers extensive recipe variety, some users may find the sheer volume of information overwhelming. The Best Sellers Rank indicates its popularity among canning enthusiasts, making it a reliable choice for those looking to explore home canning. It provides thorough guidance across multiple methods and recipes, making it a solid resource for anyone interested in preserving food at home.

The Farmhouse Culture Guide to Fermenting is a well-rounded cookbook that suits both beginners and those with some experience in fermenting foods. With 100 recipes covering a wide variety of live-cultured foods and drinks like kimchi and kombucha, it offers plenty of choices for anyone wanting to explore fermenting beyond basic canning. The book focuses specifically on fermentation methods rather than traditional canning techniques, so it may not cover water bath or pressure canning in detail.

Instructions are clear and approachable, making it easier to follow even if you're new to fermenting. Safety guidelines are included, which is important when working with live cultures to avoid spoilage or contamination. The 368 pages provide a good mix of background information and practical recipes, making it a strong resource for those interested in the health benefits and flavor variety fermentation offers.

If your main interest is classic canning of fruits, vegetables, or jams, this book might not fully meet those needs since it leans heavily on fermentation. It is an excellent choice for anyone eager to try making probiotic-rich fermented foods at home with clear guidance and recipe variety.