Free Tool

“Can I Can This?” Safety Checker

Answer three quick questions before you process anything.

This isn’t a replacement for a tested recipe — it’s a gut-check for the most common mistakes that turn a good recipe into an unsafe one. Answer honestly and you’ll get a clear next step.

Where did this recipe come from? Does it contain dairy (milk, cream, butter, cheese) or a flour/cornstarch-based thickener? Have you changed any ingredient amounts or ratios from the original recipe?

The Short Version

Home canning safety comes down to two things: starting from a tested recipe, and not changing the ratios of low-acid ingredients, thickeners, or acid once you have one. Dairy and starch thickeners are an automatic no for canning, full stop — they don’t heat evenly enough in the jar to guarantee safety, no matter the source.

Not sure where to find a real tested recipe?

See where I actually source mine →