Canning and Preserving for Beginners: Master the Basics in Just 5 Days with 160+ Simple, Safe, and Delicious Recipes | Quick Tips & Bonus Guides for Perfect Preserving Every Time!

by Raymond Charles

223 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2025

Reviews

[The Blueberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I needed. The chapter on Quick Kitchen Hacks for Beginners is especially useful — even though I’m not a complete beginner, I still found several tips I had never heard of before. I bought this book for its variety of recipes, particularly because I was looking for ideas for dehydrated snacks and fermented veggies. And it's all there. A lot! The recipes are also very easy to follow which I really appreciate.

I also love all the bonus materials and cheat sheets, very practical and well thought out. This is exactly the kind of guidance I was hoping for. If I could wish for one improvement, it would be the addition of more real illustrations of the finished canned goods.

[Alessandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una guida essenziale per chi vuole iniziare a conservare cibi fatti in casa senza complicazioni. Con oltre 160 ricette semplici e sicure, da marmellate dolci a sottaceti croccanti e zuppe nutrienti, il libro insegna i fondamenti in soli 5 giorni, includendo attrezzature base, regole di sicurezza e tecniche come la sterilizzazione a bagnomaria o la fermentazione. Le ricette sono chiare, con ingredienti e istruzioni su una pagina sola, perfette per cucine reali e per risparmiare tempo e denaro riducendo gli sprechi. Ho apprezzato i tool rapidi e la guida stagionale, che rendono tutto intuitivo anche per i novizi. Niente fronzoli: solo metodi collaudati che funzionano davvero, con un focus su risultati deliziosi e duraturi.

[Heather Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canning & Preserving for Beginners by Raymond Charles is a hands-on guide designed to help novices confidently master food preservation in just five days.It walks readers through essential equipment, safety fundamentals, and step-by-step canning methods such as water bath and pressure canning, along with freezing, fermentation, and dehydration techniques.The book includes troubleshooting advice for common issues and over 160 beginner-friendly recipes for jams, pickles, sauces, and more, ensuring safety and great flavor every time.Blending practical instruction with encouraging storytelling, it turns the age-old craft of home preservation into an accessible, rewarding modern skill.

[Manami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought back so many good memories of canning with family, and it’s made starting again so much easier. The directions are clear, practical, and written in a way that removes all the guesswork ,even the pressure canning steps felt approachable. I really like how it includes both sweet and savory recipes, so you’re not just limited to jams and jellies. The glossary at the end is a great touch, and the five-day plan keeps everything manageable. We’re especially excited to try the Lavender Peach Jelly and Chow-Chow next! A must-have guide for anyone who wants to preserve food safely and have fun doing it.

[Artur Swiatek]

I wasn’t sure I’d stick with canning, but this book made it feel doable and even fun. The instructions are super clear and the recipes—like the berry jam and garlic pickles—turned out great on my first try. I liked how it explained the why behind each step instead of assuming you already know. A few sections repeat info, and I wish it had more photos, but overall it’s a solid beginner’s guide. Perfect for anyone who wants to start preserving without feeling overwhelmed. My pantry’s never looked so colorful!

[Stephen Timberlake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve tried to do some guess work from verbal advice, but ended up scared of poisoning my family. This book finally laid it all out and kept me calm. It doesn’t just tell you what to do, it explains why things like jar space, acidity, and processing time matter in everyday language. I followed the explanations for high-acid vs low-acid foods and used the time/temperature guidance for my first batches of strawberry jam and pickled onions. Good book for sure.

[Dee Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear confidence-boosting guide. It masterfully demystifies the process, starting with a safety-forward introduction that covers everything from water bath canning to fermenting without any overwhelming fluff. The "one page, one recipe" layout is brilliantly user-friendly, making it incredibly easy to follow the 160+ recipes for everything from sweet jams to hearty stews.

[Aziza M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I needed to finally dive into canning without feeling overwhelmed. The step-by-step breakdown makes everything so easy to understand, and the 5-day structure feels super achievable even with a busy schedule. I love how the recipes are simple, safe, and actually delicious nothing overcomplicated or intimidating.

[OceanBreeze2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes the canning process approachable for those new to it, providing simple recipes and clear safety guidance that build confidence. The "5 days" structure offers motivation, though full mastery takes more time. Some additional troubleshooting advice would improve it, but overall, it’s a good introduction for beginners eager to try home canning.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m brand new to canning, and this book made it feel easy, not scary. The directions are super clear, and I love how every recipe fits on one page. I’ve already made jam and pickles that turned out perfect. Totally worth it!

[Moonlight CreativeLab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to start canning and preserving food at home. The steps are easy to follow, and the recipes are tasty and simple. It’s very beginner-friendly and full of useful tips—great for every home cook!

[Olexsandra Burkush · Rating 5 out of 5]

The structured layout and safety tips make it perfect for absolute beginners. The variety of recipes is amazing—jams, pickles, soups, ferments, dehydrated snacks, and more. This book respects your time and makes canning fun.

[Ana-Maria Drozd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and beginner-friendly canning guide. The steps are easy to follow, the safety tips are reassuring, and the recipes are practical for real kitchens. I only wish it included some photos, but the instructions are solid and straightforward.

[S.R. Walcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read with so many delights. An as avid canner who makes lots of Jams and soups, I was very keen to read this. It is practical and focused all laid out very user friendly. It will be a staple in my kitchen from now on!

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, handy, and delicious! This beginner-friendly canning guide offers easy steps and 160+ tasty recipes to help you preserve fresh flavors with confidence.

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for everyone who doesn't like to waste food