23 Must-Try Christmas Canning Recipes (Homemade Holiday Ideas)
Canning? For Christmas? Yes! It’s a cozy activity that warms you up in the winter, and you’ll have lots of special homemade gifts.
Some have winter flavors like citrus or cranberry, some perfect for a holiday breakfast, and some perfectly complement a Christmas dinner. Whether it’s fruity jams or spiced spreads, something here makes your holidays feel even more special!
Remember that the holidays can be hectic. Try to get started on these as early as you can.
Pear Butter
This pear butter is smooth, rich, and has a cozy fall flavor. It’s slow-cooked with warm spices until perfectly thick and spreadable—amazing on toast, biscuits, or straight from the spoon! This recipe makes 3 half-pints.
Candied Jalapeños
Just because they’re red and green! These bring the perfect blend of sweet and spicy to any dish. They feature fresh jalapeños simmered in a tangy syrup, creating addictive bites with a kick. Try them on burgers, tacos, or paired with cheese for a bold appetizer!
Spiced Apple Jelly
This recipe captures the essence of fall with its blend of sweet apples, cinnamon, and cloves. This jelly is smooth, fragrant, and deliciously spreadable, making it a perfect addition to toast, pastries, or a meat glaze. A must-have for cozy breakfasts and holiday gifting!
Holiday Apple Sauce with Cinnamon and Nutmeg
This holiday applesauce is warm and cozy, made with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg for a festive twist. It’s perfect as a side dish, topping for pancakes, or even a sweet snack. Simple to make and packed with holiday flavor—it’s sure to be a family favorite!
Christmas Morning Pumpkin Butter
This pumpkin butter is smooth, spiced, and festive. Made with pumpkin, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg, it’s perfect on toast, pancakes, or stirred into oatmeal. A cozy, seasonal spread that brings holiday cheer to every bite!
German Red Cabbage
This recipe is a sweet, tangy side dish cooked in one pot on the stovetop. It’s a classic, flavorful recipe made with red cabbage, apples, onions, and a hint of vinegar. Perfect with hearty dishes like roast pork or sausages, it brings a vibrant color and cozy taste to any meal!
Spicy Red Pepper Relish
This relish is a zesty condiment made in one pot on the stovetop. It combines red bell peppers, a touch of heat, vinegar, and sugar for a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Perfect for topping holiday meats, spicing up a cheese platter, burgers, or sandwiches.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
This homemade sauce is a tangy, sweet holiday classic made in one pot on the stovetop. It’s the perfect balance of tart and sweet with fresh cranberries, a hint of orange zest, and a touch of sugar. Serve it alongside turkey or spread it on leftover sandwiches for a festive flavor.
Sugarplum Jam
This is a sweet, fruity spread with a hint of holiday spice made from ripe plums, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s a festive treat perfect on toast, stirred into yogurt, or even served with cheese. This jam brings a cozy, magical taste to your holiday breakfasts and snacks!
Winter Squash Soup in a Jar
This soup is a creamy, comforting bowl of warmth made with roasted squash, a hint of garlic, and a touch of sage. This velvety soup is perfect for chilly days, bringing a cozy flavor that pairs well with crusty bread. It’s simple, nutritious, and perfect for a hearty winter meal!
Christmas Jam
Christmas Jam is a festive, fruity spread bursting with holiday flavors. It combines sweet strawberries and tart cranberries with a hint of cinnamon. Spread it on toast, serve with cheese, or gift it in a jar for a touch of Christmas cheer!
Spiced Cherry Preserves
These rich and flavorful preserves combine sweet cherries with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. This recipe adds a festive touch to toast, pastries, or a holiday cheese board. A cozy, spiced treat that’s delicious all winter long!
Roasted Garlic and Herb-Marinated Olives
This recipe is a flavorful appetizer, combining briny olives with rich roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and a hint of citrus. They’re easy to make and perfect for grazing boards or holiday gatherings. Serve them warm or cold for a savory treat that will impress!
Cinnamon Clove Pickled Carrots
Cinnamon clove pickled carrots are a sweet and spicy twist on classic pickles, featuring crunchy carrots infused with warm cinnamon and clove flavors. They’re a unique addition to holiday platters, charcuterie boards, or as a flavorful side. Easy to make and full of festive spice, these pickled carrots bring a cozy kick to any meal!
Pickled Brussels Sprouts with Red Pepper Flakes
This is a tangy, spicy treat that packs a punch. Crisp Brussels sprouts are infused with vinegar, garlic, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, making them perfect for snacking or adding to charcuterie boards. They’re a bold, flavorful addition to any meal or gathering!
Christmas Tree Pine Needle Jelly
This is a fun, seasonal spread with a light, fresh taste from real pine needles. It’s a unique way to bring winter flavors to toast or pair with cheese. Perfect for adding a little holiday spirit to your table!
Mulled Wine Jam
This jam is a cozy, spiced spread that brings all the flavors of festive mulled wine into a jar. Made with rich red wine, warming spices, and a hint of citrus, it’s perfect on toast, pastries, or paired with cheese. This recipe adds a touch of holiday magic to any bite!
Orange Curd
Orange curd is a smooth, creamy spread bursting with a bright citrus flavor. Made with fresh orange juice, zest, and just the right sweetness, it’s perfect for spreading on toast, filling pastries, or topping yogurt. A simple, tasty way to enjoy a fresh orange twist!
Spiced Plum Sauce
This recipe is a rich, flavorful blend of ripe plums with a touch of warm spices like cinnamon and ginger. It’s great for drizzling over desserts, adding to pancakes, or even using as a glaze for meats. This sauce is simple to make and brings a cozy, spiced twist to any dish!
Winter Harvest Vegetable Soup
This is a hearty, comforting soup of seasonal veggies like carrots, potatoes, and kale, all simmered in a flavorful broth. It’s warming, nourishing, and perfect for cold days. Serve with crusty bread for a simple, cozy meal highlighting winter’s best produce!
Caramelized Onion and Thyme Compote
This savory, sweet spread is made with slow-cooked onions and fresh thyme. It’s delicious on toast, burgers, or served alongside cheese for a flavorful boost. Perfect for adding a rich, cozy touch to any dish!
Coconut Jam
Coconut jam is a sweet, creamy spread made from coconut milk and sugar. It’s great on toast, desserts, or even by the spoonful for a tasty treat. Easy to make, it brings a little tropical flavor to your table!
Pomegranate Jelly
Pomegranate jelly is a bright, sweet spread made from fresh pomegranate juice. It’s perfect on toast, with crackers, or as a glaze for meats. This jelly is easy to make and adds fruity flavor to any snack or meal!
FAQs
Not necessarily. If you’re starting, you’ll need some basics: clean jars, lids, a canning pot, and a rack to keep the jars from touching the bottom of the pot. A jar lifter is also really helpful. As you get into canning more, you might want to invest in a few other tools, but these basics will get you started.
Generally, regular granulated sugar works for most jam recipes. Some canners use low-sugar or no-sugar pectin to make lower-sugar jams, but it’s best to follow the recipe since jams rely on the right balance of fruit, sugar, and pectin to set properly.
To sterilize jars, wash them in hot, soapy water or run them through the dishwasher. Then, place them in a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, place them in the oven at 225°F for about 20 minutes. Keep them warm until ready to fill them; adding hot contents to cool jars can cause breakage.
After filling your jars, gently run a non-metallic spatula or a small plastic knife around the inside of the jar to release any trapped air bubbles. This step is important because bubbles can affect the quality of the seal and may lead to spoilage.
Preserves can darken due to light, air, or excessive heat exposure. Store jars in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or cupboard. Also, avoid using metal lids for long-term storage as they can sometimes affect the color and taste.
If done properly, most home-canned goods can last about a year when stored in a cool, dark place. Just be sure to check the seal before gifting or consuming. Generally, cans should always be stored away from direct sunlight and high temperatures to keep the flavors at their best.
Absolutely! Canning recipes make wonderful, heartfelt Christmas gifts, especially for anyone who loves homemade treats. You can personalize jars with festive labels, add little decorations, or pair them with a small loaf of homemade bread or a cute kitchen towel. People love receiving something they can enjoy during the holiday season and maybe even into the new year!
I hope this list has given you some inspiration! Whether you’re looking for gifts, seasonal flavors, or a way to stock your pantry, there’s something here for everyone. So next time you’re ready to can, you’ll have plenty of festive options.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.