How to Can Rabbit Meat?

[MamaSheepdog]

We are running out of freezer space, and I would like to can some rabbit meat. I have a pressure canner.

Does the meat need to rest first, or can you slaughter and process immediately? Boned or bone in? Do you pre-cook or raw pack? What is the meat to liquid ratio, and what temperature and duration to you cook it?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

--MSD

 

[fishdip]

I wish I had a freezer full of meat I cant bring my self to kill the 2 I did not want lol. I need to find some one local who will do the killing and cleaning work in trade for something.

 

[dragonladyleanne]

Ahh, fishdip, you are after my own heart! But I have to say, the Angel creeps me out, LOL!

 

[fishdip]

Lol well it will get even more creepy as we get closer to halloween

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I wish I had a freezer full of meat I cant bring my self to kill the 2 I did not want lol.

It gets easier when you have a zillion rabbits. If you want to keep breeding, you have to make room one way or another!

 

[trinityoaks]

I found this a while back. Haven't gotten to use it yet, though.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HE/HE27000.pdf

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Thank you Trinity! That is a great link.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Lol well it will get even more creepy as we get closer to halloween

Keep in mind that we have young ones on here as well. Please limit your "signature" items to things that are appropriate for all ages. Rabbit related items would be nice....

 

[wsmoak]

If you do this, please post pictures and instructions. I have a very nice pressure canner... sitting in a box! I haven't gotten comfortable using it yet.

-Wendy

 

[skymya]

I want to can rabbit for my granma and greatgreat aunt. Both are on limited incomes and have said they miss having rabbit now and again.. Really got to my kids over the omg thats a rabbit am not eating it.. :/ Most of them are okay with butchering and meat in the freezer but when it comes to going on the their plate its a no go yet... Only two tries so far but we will have to see.. lol

 

[nicnmike]

I bet canning would be great alternative for stewing, or roasting sized rabbits. It would be a shame to can a fryer. I've been thinking about letting a few of the rabbits grow out so I could use the fur. Instead of taking up valuable freezer space, this might work well.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I bet canning would be great alternative for stewing, or roasting sized rabbits.

That's who I'm planning on canning!

 

[SelfFueled]

haha!

There are quite a few recipes for canning rabbit on the web, but anyone have a special
recipe or such here? I wanna know some too!

We just got a pressure canner, and so far I have done green beans, that's it.
So far, that is all we got from our garden to can.

I will have to check the booklet that came with the canner.
I know there were rabbit recipes to pressure cook rabbit, but not
sure if there was to can it, or if it was meat in general.

I got the Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
And there is a recipe book (small one) that came with it.
MSD, you have that?
If not I can check it.

 

[Lastfling]

Try and find a Ball Canning Book. They are normally updated fairly frequently. Most importantly they give you instructions regarding times and packing methods. Canning isn't hard, but, you need to be meticulous (sp?) concerning cleanliness, pressures and processing times to avoid the possibility of botulism. Most meats are 15lb for 90 minutes if I recollect, but don't quote me on that. Altitude above sea level also effects the processing time.

 

[SelfFueled]

THis is actually same or very close as chicken and some other meats.

Found in the Presto canning book:
(not word for word)

Soak dressed rabbits for 1 hour in water containing 1 TBS salt per quart.
Rinse and remove excess fat. Cut into serving size pieces.
Boil steam or bake to medium done. Pink in center is almost gone.
Pack hot rabbit loosely in clean hot mason jars leaving 1 1/4 inch head space.
Cover with boiling water or broth leaving 1 1/4 inch head space.
Put on jar lids and rings and tighten.

Process @ 11lbs pressure

With bone:
65min pints
75min quarts

Without bone
75min pints
90min quarts

Need to know cleanliness and all rules and tips to can properly and correctly.
altitude does play a role and also pressure.
Grab a canning book before attempting.
Yes serious as death can result from not being proper.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I deboned my first rabbit using the method in that handy video. What took him 5 minutes took me 45! :lol: I hope I get faster. I've got at least two more rabbits to chop up to fill seven one quart jars. I am taking pics of the process as requested, Wendy @ wsmoak. :camera:

I got the Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
And there is a recipe book (small one) that came with it.MSD, you have that?
If not I can check it.

Got it! It has directions for rabbit, even. Imagine that! :roll:

I only have a 16 quart canner- where in the world did you find the 23 q?

Most meats are 15lb for 90 minutes if I recollect, but don't quote me on that. Altitude above sea level also effects the processing time.

10lbs pressure 90 minutes up to 1000 feet, 15lbs pressure and no time adjustment for altitude for meat, interestingly enough.

 

[SelfFueled]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000B ... 00_s00_i00

I got it for $75 about 2-3 months ago.
The price fluctuates almost weekly or more.

the 23 quart is still light (enough for glass top stove)
but can still double stack pints (18 i think)
and single 7 quarts.

Needed that since I bought almost 40 dozen pint/quart jars

Let me know if that link doesnt work.
Amaxon has always been great, but I always check prices and research before i buy.

 

[ilovehome]

I have canned rabbit, but left the bones in. I will have more time very soon to do more canning, and look forward to boneless meat. I think my canning book said to do it just like chicken. My favorite canner is the All American that I bought from Amazon a couple of years ago. It can not explode!

 

[magicdragonrabbitry]

This is probably stupid but why does a 23qt. canner only hold 7 quart jars?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Success!

Here is a link to the post of my first rabbit canning venture:

canned-rabbit-meat-t10174.html

This is probably stupid but why does a 23qt. canner only hold 7 quart jars?

Pressure canners are also used to pressure cook food that is not being canned. My booklet doesn't say anything about stacking jars, and the circumference of the canner only holds 7 quart jars. I am a newbie at canning, so don't know if stacking jars is acceptable, but my unit is too shallow to stack quarts.