Canning Meat, Wild Game, Poultry and Fish Safely (plus making safe jerky at home)

Lunch & Learn12 noon to 1 pmOctober 1, 2012

Canning Meat and Fish Safely Meat, wild game, poultry and fish, are all low in

acid and must be canned in a pressure canner Can only high quality meat, poultry or fish Maintain quality, and help ensure safety, by

following basic food safety steps: Keep raw meat and seafood refrigerated Separate raw meat and seafood from ready-to-eat foods in

the refrigerator Wash hands and surfaces well before, and after, handling

raw meat and seafood Sanitize work surfaces and knives – with a dilute bleach

solution of 1 teaspoon bleach/quart of water

Fish Fish for canning, or freezing, should be of

high quality and safe to eat Review the DNR’s Fish Consumption

Guidelines for fish caught in inland or Great Lakes waters dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/consumption/ (videos available in English, Spanish and Hmong)

These fish species can be preserved by canning: catfish, northern pike, salmon, smelt, trout

These species are best preserved by freezing: bass, bluegills, crappies, perch, walleye and other pike

Venison PrecautionsChronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease of deer and elk

The CWD management zone extends across much of southern Wisconsin

Helpful web sites include information on CWD regulations, Hunt for the Hungry, etc

dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/regulations.html www.knowcwd.com/Donationlocator.aspx knowcwd.com/

Although no direct link between CWD and human disease has been established, the consumption of meat from CWD-positive deer or elk is not recommended.

Precautions Related to Wild Game It can be challenging to safely handle animals

harvested in the wildwww.foodsafety.wisc.edu A-Z Index: H=Hunting Handling Venison Safely Pocket Guide for Field Dressing a Deer (Penn State) So You Got a Deer Wisconsin’s Wild Game

Key concepts Remove entrails carefully so as not to contaminate the

carcass Keep the carcass clean and dry Cool the carcass as quickly as possible

More Food Safety Tips Bear meat and meat from other scavengers

can carry the Trichinae parasite that causes trichinosis Thoroughly cook bear meat (180°F) OR freeze game

meat at 0°F for at least 10 days to destroy the parasite

Keep game meat cold and dry until ready for the freezer, pressure canner, or dehydrator

Debone deer meat prior to freezing – saves freezer space and precursors for CWD are in bone tissue

Canning Wild Game and Meat Use meat that has been properly handled Thaw frozen meats (trimming and cutting meats while

they are still partly frozen makes the job a lot easier!) Trim meat of fat, bruises and heavy gristle Pack into prepared jars - hot or raw, as the recipe allows

Cubes (~1” square) Ground meat (may be seasoned) Broth

Use a pressure canner May add seasonings like onions and garlic; may

can in tomato juice or sauce

Canning PoultryChill dressed birds for 6-12 hours before canning

Remove excess fatCut into suitable size pieces (w/ or w/out bones)Hot or raw pack (make sure meat is room temperature

(not cold) before packing jars)Seasoning may be added, but do not thicken by adding flour, pasta, rice, etc

Canning Fish Fish are highly perishable – eviscerate within 2

hours of catch and keep cold Some fish species are suitable for canning: catfish,

northern pike, salmon (lightly smoked), smelt and trout Some fish species are best for freezing: perch,

walleye and other lean fish are best frozen Pint jars are recommended for canning fish Fish, except for tuna, are raw-packed with no

added liquid Note extended processing time and explicit

instructions on water level when canning fish

Don’t Forget Use an up-to-date, tested recipe. Now is not

the time to be creative! Follow the recipe carefully, including all

steps. Adjust for elevation.

Use a pressure canner. Do not thicken products with flour, rice or

pasta. Do not add butter.

*Note: darker areas on the state map have an elevation above 1,000 feet. Increase pressure when canning low-acid foods.

Making Safe Jerky: Preparation Jerky is a Wisconsin treat, and is easily

prepared at home. Start with lean, high quality meat. Handle meat carefully; freeze for easy slicing. Trim fat and gristle. Cut thin strips of uniform thickness, ~¼” Choose a dehydrator that is ‘up to the job’:

A dehydrator with a fan and strong heating element can be used to create safe, high quality jerky

Making Safe Jerky: DryingPre-heat dehydrator (or oven) to 145°FPlace thinly sliced meat (usually seasoned) on

dehydrator trays or oven racks. Do not allow to overlap.

Dry meat at 145° to 155°F for 4-6 hours.Check for doneness. Jerky should be flexible, but not moist.Depending on quantity of meat, drying will take 4-12

hours.To ensure safety, ‘bake’ dried meat in a pre-heated

275°F oven for 10 minutes.Package dried meat for storage in the cupboard (~2-4

months) or freezer (1 year).

FAQ: Autumn ‘Harvest’Where can I find a recipe for canning pumpkin

butter?Can I re-freeze meat that I thawed for dinner?What are the dark spots that I sometimes see

under the lid on canned meat?Can I add garlic and onion to my jars of meat

before canning?What is the best way to prepared canned breads

to give as holiday gifts?Do microwaves kill all the bacteria in food?

FAQ: Autumn ‘Harvest’Where can I find a recipe for canning

pumpkin butter? Unlike apples and pears, pumpkin is low in acid. Tested recipes for canning low-acid butters have not been developed.

Can I re-freeze meat that I thawed for dinner? Generally, yes. As long as raw meat, poultry, seafood and other perishable foods have been thawed in the refrigerator, then they may be safely re-frozen. If these foods were thawed in the microwave or by submerging in cool water, then they must be cooked immediately (and not re-frozen).

FAQ: Autumn ‘Harvest’What are the dark spots that I sometimes see under

the lid on canned meat? The sulfur-containing amino acids that are naturally present in meats can sometimes react with minerals in the water and allow for the formation of dark spots on the underside of a canning lid. This is harmless as long as the product was properly canned and the jars sealed. Let your senses be your guide: When in doubt, throw it out!

Can I add garlic and onion to my jars of meat before canning? Yes, you can add seasonings like garlic and onion or herbs to meats prior to canning. Some seasonings become bitter or too strong on canning, so a light touch is recommended.

FAQs: Autumn ‘Harvest’What is the best way to prepare canned breads to

give as holiday gifts? Due to the risk of poisoning associated with Clostridium botulinum the canning of breads or cakes is not recommended – whether in an oven or a pressure canner! Remember, just because a canning jar seals (or you find a recipe on the internet) does not mean that the food inside is safe.

Do microwaves kill all the bacteria in food? Microwaves in a microwave oven don’t kill bacteria at all. They generate heat by flipping molecules rapidly back and forth; the friction created generates heat. Microwaves are great time savers in the kitchen, but they do heat unevenly. Always check temperature to make sure microwave cooked (or reheated) food is safe.

Resources Canning Meat, Wild Game, Poultry & Fish Safely

www.foodsafety.wisc.edu Making Safe Jerky at Home www.foodsafety.wisc.edu A-Z

index J=Jerky How Do I …Can, Dry, Cure&Smoke www.uga.edu/nchfp Autumn Favorites

Home Canned Sweet Spreads Made w/ Green Chili www.foodsafety.wisc.edu

Autumn Glory Compote (w/ pumpkin) Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving

Sweet Pumpkin Pickles Ball Complete Book of Home PreservingThank you!!