How to Can Peaches (Print version)

A clear guide to canning yellow peaches in a water bath canner with light syrup, safe timing, and storage tips.

# Ingredients:

For the peaches

01 - 17 1/2 lb (7.9 kg) ripe yellow-flesh peaches
02 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) bottled lemon juice or 1 teaspoon ascorbic acid powder, for anti-browning water
03 - Ice, for the ice bath

For very light syrup

04 - 10 1/2 cups (2.5 L) water
05 - 1 1/4 cups (250 g) granulated sugar

For processing

06 - 7 clean quart canning jars with new lids and bands
07 - Additional boiling water for the canner

# Instructions:

01 - Fill a boiling water canner with enough water to cover filled jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a simmer and keep clean jars hot until filling.
02 - Work in batches. Lower peaches into boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then transfer to ice water for 1 minute. Slip off the skins.
03 - Halve or slice the peaches and remove pits. Hold the prepared fruit in water mixed with bottled lemon juice or ascorbic acid to reduce browning.
04 - Combine 10 1/2 cups water and 1 1/4 cups sugar in a large pot. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves.
05 - Drain the peaches. Add them to the boiling syrup in batches and heat until the liquid returns to a boil.
06 - Pack hot peaches into hot jars, placing halves cut side down when possible. Cover with hot syrup, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Remove bubbles, adjust headspace, wipe rims, and apply lids fingertip tight.
07 - Place jars in the boiling water canner. When the water returns to a full boil, process hot-packed quarts for 25 minutes at 0-1,000 feet. Adjust time for higher altitude.
08 - Turn off heat, remove the canner lid, and wait 5 minutes. Lift jars onto a towel and rest for 12 hours. Check seals, remove bands, label, and store in a cool dark place.

# Good to know:

01 - Yield is about 7 quart jars, depending on peach size and how tightly they pack.
02 - Hot-packed quarts process for 25 minutes at 0-1,000 feet, 30 minutes at 1,001-3,000 feet, 35 minutes at 3,001-6,000 feet, and 40 minutes above 6,000 feet.
03 - Nutrition is an estimate per 1/2 cup serving with very light syrup.

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