Chicken noodle soup is the ultimate comfort food-warm, nourishing, and perfect for any time you need a little culinary hug. But what if you want to enjoy this classic anytime without making it fresh every time? Canning chicken noodle soup is a fantastic way to preserve this homemade goodness for months, allowing you to have a ready-to-eat meal on hand whenever you need it.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the essentials of how to can chicken noodle soup safely and effectively, so you can savor that comforting bowl anytime.
Why Can Chicken Noodle Soup?
Canning chicken noodle soup locks in the fresh flavors and nutrients of homemade soup, making it convenient for busy days or emergencies. It also helps reduce food waste by preserving leftovers or bulk batches. Plus, having canned soup means you can enjoy a wholesome, homemade meal without the fuss of cooking from scratch.
What You Need to Know Before Canning Chicken Noodle Soup
Before diving into canning, it’s important to understand that chicken noodle soup contains low-acid ingredients (like chicken and vegetables), which require pressure canning for safety. Water bath canning is not safe for soups with meat because it doesn’t reach the temperatures needed to kill harmful bacteria.
Essential Equipment
– Pressure canner (not just a pressure cooker)
– Canning jars (typically pint or quart size)
– New canning lids and rings
– Jar lifter and funnel
– Large pot for cooking soup
Step-by-Step Guide to Canning Chicken Noodle Soup
1. Prepare Your Soup
Make your chicken noodle soup with fresh ingredients. Use a recipe that includes chicken, broth, vegetables (carrots, celery, onions), and seasonings. To avoid soggy noodles, do not add noodles before canning-they should be cooked fresh when you reheat the soup.
A simple homemade chicken noodle soup recipe involves sautéing onions, carrots, and celery in butter, adding garlic and herbs, then simmering chicken thighs in chicken broth until tender. After cooking, shred the chicken and strain the broth to ensure clarity.
2. Prepare Jars and Lids
Wash jars, lids, and rings in hot soapy water. Keep jars warm until ready to fill to prevent cracking when hot soup is added.
3. Fill Jars with Soup
– Ladle hot broth and chicken mixture (without noodles) into jars, leaving about 1 inch of headspace.
– Remove air bubbles by running a non-metallic spatula around the inside of the jar.
– Wipe the jar rims clean with a damp cloth.
– Place lids on jars and screw on rings until fingertip-tight.
4. Pressure Canning
– Place jars in the pressure canner with a few inches of water (follow your canner’s instructions).
– Seal the canner and heat until steam flows steadily.
– Vent steam for 10 minutes, then close the vent.
– Process at 10 pounds pressure (adjust based on your altitude) for 75 minutes for pints and 90 minutes for quarts.
– After processing, turn off heat and let pressure return to zero naturally.
– Remove jars carefully and let cool on a towel undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
5. Store and Use
– Check seals after cooling; lids should not flex up and down when pressed.
– Label jars with date.
– Store in a cool, dark place.
– When ready to eat, heat soup and cook fresh noodles separately, then combine.
Tips for the Best Canned Chicken Noodle Soup
– Cook noodles fresh when serving. Adding noodles before canning leads to mushy texture and may affect safety.
– Use chicken thighs or drumsticks for richer flavor and tender meat.
– Make your own broth for deeper flavor and fewer preservatives.
– Chop vegetables evenly for consistent cooking.
– Adjust seasonings after reheating since flavors can mellow during storage.
– Follow pressure canner instructions carefully to ensure safety.
Why Avoid Canning Noodles?
Noodles absorb liquid and swell, which can cause them to become overly soft and mushy during the long canning process. Additionally, the starch released can thicken the broth undesirably. For these reasons, it’s best to cook noodles fresh and add them to the soup after reheating the canned broth and chicken.
How to Reheat Canned Chicken Noodle Soup
When you’re ready to enjoy your canned soup, heat it gently on the stove until hot. Meanwhile, cook your preferred noodles separately until al dente. Combine noodles and soup just before serving to maintain the perfect texture and flavor.
Chicken noodle soup is a timeless classic that’s easy to make, and with canning, easy to keep on hand for whenever you need a comforting meal. By following safe canning practices and a few simple tips, you can enjoy homemade chicken noodle soup anytime with minimal effort.
Enjoy your cozy, homemade soup anytime you want!