Home canning chicken can allow it to last for years, but how long exactly is it safe to consume? As an avid home canner, I get this question a lot The short answer is that properly canned chicken can last 3+ years if stored correctly. However, there are many factors that determine shelf life. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the longevity and safety of your home canned chicken
Understanding Expiration Dates
When considering how long home canned foods last, it’s important to understand expiration dates The “expiration date” on a jar is not an indicator of when the food will spoil. Rather, it indicates when optimal quality and flavor begins to decline.
So while home canned chicken remains safe to eat long past its expiration date, you may notice some changes in texture and taste over time. Expect the best flavor and quality within 1-2 years. But even at 3-5 years, it should be perfectly safe if properly canned and stored.
The Science Behind Canning
Canning allows for long shelf life by creating a vacuum sealed environment that prevents contamination. The canning process destroys harmful bacteria through high heat, while the airtight seal stops new bacteria from getting in. This keeps canned food shelf-stable at room temperature for years.
As long as the seal remains intact, properly canned chicken has an extremely low risk of harboring dangerous pathogens like botulism.
Signs of Spoilage
While home canned chicken keeps for years, it will eventually spoil. Watch for these signs:
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Bulging lid: Gas buildup from bacterial growth causes the lid to bulge. Never eat from a bulging jar.
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Leaking seal: Chicken exposed to air due to a compromised seal will spoil quickly.
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Off odors: Spoiled chicken gives off an unpleasant rotten smell when opened.
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Discoloration: Grey, green, or brown tints indicate spoilage.
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Slimy texture: Unusual sliminess or stickiness is a red flag.
When in doubt, remember the old adage “When in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t risk getting sick.
Proper Storage
Storing your home canned chicken properly is key to maximizing shelf life. Keep it in a cool, dark place between 50-70°F. Avoid temperature fluctuations. Dents, rust, or damage can compromise the seal and shorten shelf life. Handle jars gently and carefully inspect seals before opening.
My Experience with 3+ Year Old Chicken
I’ve eaten home canned chicken over 3 years old stored in a basement pantry around 60°F. It retained excellent flavor and texture with no signs of spoilage. I follow proper canning methods and hygienic storage practices. Based on my experience and research, I am confident home canned chicken lasts 3+ years stored properly.
However, remember that quality declines over time. 2 years is ideal. At 3-5 years, inspect carefully before consuming. Beyond 5 years, it’s best to discard the chicken rather than risk potential spoilage.
Maximizing Shelf Life
Follow these tips to get the longest safe shelf life from your home canned chicken:
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Use a pressure canner, not a water bath. Pressure canning kills more bacteria.
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Allow 10-15 minutes for steam to vent before pressurizing. This removes oxygen that bacteria needs.
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Pressurize at the correct PSI for your elevation for a full 90 minutes for quarts, 75 for pints. This ensures sufficient heat processing.
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Cool canner naturally. Don’t rush cooling as this can break seals.
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Clean rims with vinegar before applying lids for a strong seal.
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Handle jars gently to avoid damage. Even small dents can compromise seals over time.
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Store in a cool, dark place between 50-70°F. Avoid temperature fluctuations.
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Inspect seals and contents carefully before consuming 3+ year old chicken. Don’t taste anything questionable.
The Bottom Line
When properly home canned and stored, chicken can safely last 3+ years past its “expiration date.” However, for peak quality and flavor, try to consume within 1-2 years, and carefully inspect jars beyond 2 years before eating. With care and common sense, home canning lets you safely preserve chicken for the long haul.
Shelf-life in general
That one year after canning date is your “best before” date. It does not mean, and is not intended to mean, you should throw it out.
Dr Keith Roach (of the Weill Cornell Medical College and the New York Presbyterian Hospital) says,
Here below is a photo of some corn 18 months old, canned May 2015 and photographed Nov. 2016. It had been stored in a warm apartment cupboard. The seal’s integrity is intact. Notice that the corn above the water line has started to darken somewhat, while the corn below the water still looks perfect. The jar is still good; it can be tipped into a pot of soup where the unappealing darkening won’t be noticeable, or those few kernels at the top can be scooped away. But, these jars need to come to the front of the shelf, and be used!
Pickled cauliflower products that are starting to hit the 3 and 4 year mark, even when stored in a cool dark basement, will start to darken, and have the pong of old boiled cabbage when you open the jars.
Once you’ve opened a jar, of course, the rules change. Low-acid pressure canned foods — such as carrots or green beans — should have any leftovers stored in the fridge and used up in 2 to 3 days. High-acid foods such as pickles, relishes, chutneys, can be stored in the fridge for at least up to a year. Opened sugar-free jams and jellies made with a preservative-free pectin such as Pomona should be stored in the fridge and used up within 4 weeks, or they will go mouldy even in the fridge. Sugar-free jams and jellies made with pectins containing preservatives, such as Ball and Bernardin, will last longer: store in fridge and use up within about 3 months.
What the National Center for Home Food Preservation says about the shelf-life of home canned goods
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) both say to try to use up your home canned goods within a year of making them. The reason is not so much for food safety, but rather for optimum food quality.
Elizabeth Andress of the NCHFP elaborates:
How Long will your Home Canned Foods Last? ~ Preparedness ~ Food Storage
FAQ
How long will homemade canned chicken last?
Can you eat 10 year old home canned food?
Home canned foods – especially those canned in glass jars, begin to lose flavor, color and texture as they get older and will begin to degrade even faster if they are stored under less than optimal conditions. It is therefore recommended to use all home canned foods within one year of the date they were canned.
Can you eat 2 year old canned chicken?
Would you eat this today? General consensus is that canned food is safe for 2-3 years past its Best Before Date assuming can is good and storage conditions were good. After that, the quality would be pretty bad no one would want to eat it.
Does canned chicken ever go bad?
How long does canned chicken last?
Once you’ve popped open that can of chicken, the longevity game changes. Opened canned chicken will last for 3 to 4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. Though you can keep the chicken in its original can, transferring it to a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid will help retain its flavor and texture.
What happens if canned chicken expires?
If canned chicken is consumed beyond its expiration date and is spoiled, it could potentially lead to foodborne illnesses. It is crucial to check for any signs of spoilage before considering consumption. 8. Can the expiration date on canned chicken be extended?
How long do canning foods last?
These foods are good for 12 to 18 months on the shelf, but after opening, they will last 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. If you’re canning your own foods at home, you should know that these foods will last up to a year on the shelf.
Can you eat unopened canned chicken?
Let’s start with unopened cans of chicken. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), shelf-stable foods like canned chicken are safe to consume indefinitely, as long as the can is undamaged. That means no rust, dents, or swelling.
What factors affect the shelf life of canned chicken?
The shelf life of canned chicken can be influenced by factors such as storage conditions, temperature fluctuations, and the quality of the product at the time of purchase. 4. How should canned chicken be stored to maximize its shelf life? Canned chicken should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and temperature extremes.
When should you eat canned chicken?
However, for optimal taste and texture, it’s best to consume the canned chicken within 3 to 5 years of purchase. This is the period during which the food inside the can retains its intended flavor and nutritional value. So, while it might be ‘safe’ to eat later, for the best dining experience, aim for that 3- to 5-year window.