How to can tuna with a pressure cooker

Home-canned, oil-packed tuna is sumptuous, flaky, and full of flavor—a world apart from most commercial versions. Tuna is a low-acid food, so it must be canned with a pressure canner, preferably of the weighted-gauge variety. The pressure creates a higher-than-boiling temperature that kills any bacteria that may cause spoilage.

Ingredients

  • 2 1⁄2 lb. boneless skinless bluefin, yellowfin, or albacore tuna loin
  • 3 tsp. kosher salt
  • Olive oil

Instructions

instruction 0

Bring a 6-quart pot of water to a boil. Place 6 half-pint canning jars along with their bands and lids in the boiling water for 30 seconds. Using tongs, transfer the jars, bands, and lids to a kitchen towel on a counter and let air-dry.

instruction 1

Wash tuna; trim off and discard the dark blood line and any connective tissue.

instruction 2

Cut tuna into 2 1⁄2" x 3" chunks. Pack the chunks of tuna into the jars, cutting them to fit as necessary, leaving 1" of space at the top. (Use any scraps of tuna to fill gaps along the sides of the jars.) Sprinkle 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt into each jar and pour in enough olive oil to cover the tuna, leaving exactly 3⁄4" of space below each rim.

instruction 3

Using a table knife, pry the tuna away from the sides of the jars to allow oil to fill any air pockets. Wipe the rims clean with a hot damp towel, seal with the lids, and screw the bands on.

instruction 4

Put the rack in the bottom of a 10 1⁄2-quart pressure canner and place the sealed jars on top of it. Pour in enough boiling water to fill canner by 2" to 3". Lock the top of the pressure canner in place according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remove the pressure regulator cap or dial gauge from the steam vent and set it aside.

instruction 5

Heat the canner over high heat, allowing steam to release from the vent for 10 minutes, in order to remove most of the air from the canner. Carefully cover the steam vent with the pressure regulator cap or dial gauge. When the pressure gauge reads 11 lbs., process the jars for 1 hour and 40 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary to keep the pressure at 11 lbs. If the pressure dips below 11 lbs., stop timing, bring the canner back up to the correct pressure by increasing the heat, and resume timing. (When using this recipe at altitudes of 1,000 feet and higher, add 1 more minute of processing time per 1,000 feet of additional elevation.) Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to drop to zero, 30–45 minutes. Remove the pressure gauge. Wait for 2 minutes, then lift off the top of the canner, taking care to avoid any residual steam.

instruction 6

Using tongs or a rubber-handled jar lifter, transfer the jars to a kitchen towel on the counter and let cool for 12 hours. (If the jars are greasy, wipe them with a towel dipped in white vinegar.) Check the seals by removing the bands and lifting the jars by their lids. If the jars are properly sealed, the lids should hold tight. If the jar opens, refrigerate it right away and eat the tuna within 2 days. Otherwise, store canned tuna in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Refrigerate after opening.

Posted by koehler | July 26, 2021

Get ready now to can tuna!

Canning Tuna

How to can tuna with a pressure cooker
Tuna may be canned either pre-cooked (bake/steam) or raw. If you pre-cook it, you will need to add water or oil to jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. You do not add any liquid to the jars if you process raw tuna. You may add ½ teaspoon of salt per half-pint or 1 teaspoon of salt per pint, if desired. In place of the salt you may choose to use powdered chicken bouillon, or add garlic or jalapenos; it depends on your personal taste. Consider using vinegar in place of water on a paper towel when cleaning the jar rims, then wipe with a dry paper towel. This helps to remove any fish oil prior to placing the jar lids to ensure a good seal. Process tuna in a Dial Gauge Pressure Canner at 11 pounds of pressure OR in a Weighted Gauge Canner at 10 pounds of pressure. Both half-pint and pint jars are processed for 100 minutes.

How to can tuna with a pressure cooker
WSU has a great publication titled, PNW 194 Canning Seafood. If you don’t have the manual for your pressure canner, you may want to read/print, PNW421 Using and Caring for Your Pressure Canner. Both publications can be downloaded or purchased directly from WSU Extension Publications at: https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/.

Canning Tip

Newer jar lids no longer need to be simmered. Manufacturers are using a new compound so washing the lids in warm soapy water will suffice. Rinse and dry the lids before placing on the jars.

How long do you can tuna in a pressure cooker?

Process tuna in a Dial Gauge Pressure Canner at 11 pounds of pressure OR in a Weighted Gauge Canner at 10 pounds of pressure. Both half-pint and pint jars are processed for 100 minutes.

How do you prepare tuna for canning?

Tuna may be packed in water or oil, whichever is preferred. Add water or oil to jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt per half-pint or 1 teaspoon of salt per pint, if desired. Adjust lids and process following the recommendations in Table 1 or Table 2 according to the canning method used.

How much water do you put in a pressure cooker for canning?

Follow these steps for successful pressure canning: Put 2 to 3 inches of hot water in the canner. Some specific products in this Guide require that you start with even more water in the canner. Always follow the directions with USDA processes for specific foods if they require more water added to the canner.

Can an Instapot be used for canning?

"Instant Pot can be used for boiling-water canning. However, Instant Pot has not been tested for food safety in pressure canning by USDA.