Colorado State University Extension

Preservation

Use the Preserve Smart website to find tested food preservation recipes!

Preserve Smart

Developed by Colorado State University Extension in order to provide a trusted way to find and use tested food preservation recipes and instructions for any elevation–from sea level to high in the Rocky Mountains!

Canning

Canned peaches in jars, finished product.

Canning Fruits

Whole heirloom tomatoes in a white bowl.

Canning Tomatoes and Tomato Products

Green beans in canner, dated and labeled.

Canning Vegetables

Drying

Dried fruits in jars including raspberries, oranges and mangoes.

Drying Fruits

Dried zucchini in a bag.

Drying Vegetables

Freezing

Frozen berries in a pile.

Freezing Food: Reducing Food Waste

Freezer filled with various foods.

Freezing Food: Supplies and Equipment

Ice cubs on a white table, slowly melting.

Freezing Food: The Science

Frozen raspberries in a pile.

Freezing Fruits

Frozen peas in a pile.

Freezing Vegetables

Jams, Jellies and Preserves

Blackberry jam in jars.

Making Jellies

Know the Risks of Home Food Preservation

Peaches on a scale, surrounded by jars of peaches and fresh peaches.

Botulism

Meat Preservation

Meat jerky in a dehydrator on a table.

Leathers and Jerkies

Turkey sandwich on a triangular plate.

Smoking Poultry Meat

Pickling

Pile of various hot peppers.

Making Pickled Peppers

cucumbers in jar, prepared for pickling

Making Pickles

Processing and More

Salt spilling out of container on to table top.

Food Preservation Without Sugar or Salt

Mint growing outdoors.

Herbs: Using and Preserving

Roasted Chile Peppers

Processing Roasted Chile Peppers

Fermenting

Milk kefir and kefir grains

Understanding and Making Kefir

Kimchi in small bowl.

Understanding and Making Kimchi

Kombucha fermenting in a jar with paper filter on top.

Understanding and Making Kombucha

Understanding and Making Sauerkraut

Sourdough Basics: Caring for your Starter and Making Bread

Sourdough Starter Best Practices