You Asked It!

Canning Cured, Brined or Corned Meat, is it Safe?

Ham
Spiral cut ham. Photo: USDA Flickr

The short answer is no. Here’s why.

While these products are meat, they have a firmer texture than fresh meat. Therefore, heat penetration through these products will be more difficult than with fresh meat. That would mean longer processing times and could lead to unsafe products.

Curing meat creates a drier texture with a higher salt level. This reduces the capability of liquid to absorb into the meat and reduces the heat penetration rate.

Curing ingredients such as nitrite, nitrate and/or antimicrobial agents like nisin can make Clostridium botulinum more susceptible to heat and cured meats may need a shorter processing time. But, research has not been conducted on these types of meat products with the canning process, so it is currently not recommended. There are many types of these processed meats and extensive research would need to happen.

Using canning recommendations for fresh meat is not recommended.

It is not recommended to can cured ham. The best way to preserve these products is freezing.

Source: www.clemson.edu/extension/food/canning/canning-tips/55home-cured-brined-corned-meats.html

About Karen Blakeslee

The Rapid Response Center was formed in 1995 as a resource for Kansas State University Research & Extension Agents. Resource topics included Food Science, Human Nutrition, Food Service, Textiles, Home Care and other consumer topics. Since that time, the Center has grown to be of valuable assistance to Kansas State University Extension Specialists in those areas.