How to Can Asparagus Without a Pressure Canner

If you've gotten more fresh asparagus than you can eat right now, save it for later. Although asparagus can be safely preserved in a pressure canner, you can't safely preserve asparagus in a water bath. To can asparagus without a pressure canner, you must pickle the asparagus first. You'll need to combine a vinegar brine to pour over fresh asparagus in your canning jars. Then you can easily boil the jars to create secure seals. Store your pickled asparagus in a clean and dry place. For the best flavor, try to use the pickled asparagus within a year.

Ingredients

Pickled Asparagus

5 pounds (2.27 kg) asparagus
3 large garlic cloves
2 1/4 cups (532 ml) water
2 1/4 cups (532 ml) white distilled vinegar (5%)
1/4 cup (68 g) canning salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dill seed

Makes 3 pint jars

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Jars and Making the Brine

1
Sterilize the jars and keep them warm. Either run three clean pint jars through the dishwasher or boil the jars for 10 minutes. If you choose to boil them, fill a large pot with water. Once you've sterilized the jars in the pot, turn off the water, so the jars stay warm.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you use the dishwasher to sterilize the jars, use them as soon as they're done and while they're still hot. Or, alternatively, place them in a warm oven until you're ready to fill and process them.
2
Warm the lids. You'll need three new canning lids and bands. Fill a small saucepan halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat off and place the three lids into the pot. This will help the seals soften, so they securely fit onto the jars. Just leave the lids in the pan while you prepare the asparagus.
- You don't need to sterilize or warm the bands. You can keep them on your work space while you prepare the asparagus.
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3
Combine the brine ingredients. Pour 2 1/4 cups (532 ml) of water and 2 1/4 cups (532 ml) of white distilled vinegar (5%) into a medium saucepan. Stir in 1/4 cup (68 g) of canning salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons of dill seed.^{[2]XResearch source}
- It's important to use canning salt for pickling vegetables because other salts can make the brine cloudy.
Turn the heat on to high and stir the brine. Continue to heat the brine until it boils rapidly. This will help the canning salt dissolve. Turn the heat off and set the brine aside while you prepare the asparagus.^{[3]XResearch source}
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Filling the Jars With Asparagus

Run cold water and wash 5 pounds (2.27 kg) of asparagus under it.
2
Cut the asparagus. Look at your pint jars and decide how you want to cut and pack the asparagus. You can trim them so they fit into the jars vertically or you can cut them into small pieces (about 1 1/2-inches or 3.8 cm) so you can just fill the jars.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If you want to can them vertically, consider using tall and thin pint jars.
3
Fill the jars with asparagus and garlic cloves. Peel 3 large cloves of garlic and put one clove of garlic in the bottom of each clean, warm pint jar. Fill the pint jars with the trimmed asparagus, so the jars are well packed.^{[5]XResearch source}
- For spicy pickled asparagus, you can add one small hot pepper to each pint jar along with the peeled garlic.
4
Fill the jars with the brine. Put on a pair of hot pads and carefully pour the hot brine over the asparagus in your pint jars. You'll need to leave 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) of headspace at the top of each jar.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If you're worried you might spill or splash the brine as you pour, consider placing a funnel on the pint jar and ladling the brine into the jar.
- Fill the pint jars with the trimmed asparagus as described above so the jars are well packed.^{[7]XResearch source}.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Processing the Pickled Asparagus

1
Check the jars and screw the lids on. Ensure that there aren't any air bubbles in the jars and wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, dry cloth. Lift the lids of the jars out of the warm water using tongs. Set a lid on each jar and screw a clean band onto each jar. You should screw them on until they're just finger tight.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Avoid screwing the lid on very tightly since this could prevent air from escaping as the jars process.
Once the jars are full of the pickled asparagus, the jars will be very hot. Place a wire rack in the bottom of your water bath canner and use a jar lifter to carefully lower each jar into it. Add enough water to the canner, so the jars are covered by an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm) of water. Bring the water to a boil and start the processing timer.
3
Boil the pickled asparagus for:^{[9]XResearch source}
- 10 minutes at sea level to 1000 ft (300 m)
- 15 minutes at 1000 to 6000 ft (300 m to 1.8 km)
- 20 minutes at elevations over 6000 ft (1.8 km)
4
Cool the jars. Lay a clean, dry towel on your work surface and turn the heat off of the water canner. Use the jar lifter to lift the processed jars out of the canner and set them on the towel. Let the jars cool for 12 hours to 1 day.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Avoid any shocks in temperature. For example, don't set the hot jars on the counter next to an open window that has cold air blowing in. This could cause the jars to crack.
5
Check the seals. You should hear the seals pop as they seal to the jar. Pull on the seals to ensure they're securely fastened. You shouldn't be able to lift off the lid using just your fingertips.
- Always check your preserved food after storing it. Ensure that the seal is still good, that the brine isn't cloudy, and that the brine level hasn't dropped.
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Community Q&A

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Question
How long after cooling before they can be opened to eat?
Community Answer
Immediately, but it depends on what you want to achieve. Usually people can products to preserve them for longer. Not sure how much time exactly it will take for the "pickle" taste to be acquired, but not more than a month. After two weeks or so it should be good to eat, but take a month if you're worried.
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Question
Why can't I just pour the very hot brine over the asparagus, put the lids on and not place them in a boiling water bath?
Community Answer
Because the water bath draws out oxygen in the jar (which will cause bacteria to thrive), and as it pulls the oxygen out, it makes a vacuum that seals the lid.
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Question
Why can't asparagus be raw packed with a stock pot? I have seen videos where it can. I don't want to pickle it.
Elizabeth
Community Answer
You wouldn't get the full flavour of the asparagus, there would be little point to putting it in raw as it wouldn't change the taste of the meal at all.
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