Why I stopped buying freeze dried meals and started canning my own

For years I just bought those big buckets of freeze dried meals from a company in Idaho. Dropped like $800 on a three month supply back in 2021. But after eating that stuff for a week during a power outage, I realized it tastes awful and gives me stomach issues. So last fall I borrowed my neighbor's pressure canner and put up 40 pounds of ground beef and 20 quarts of chicken soup. Cost me about $150 total including the jars and lids. The meat tastes way better and I know exactly what's in it. Anyone here do a mix of both or just stick with one method?

2 comments

2 Comments

stella_murray1d ago

You hit the nail on the head with the cost comparison. I did the same math awhile back and was shocked at how much cheaper canning is, especially for meat. And you're right about the taste difference too, that freeze dried stuff just has this weird chemical aftertaste no matter how much you season it. It's almost sad how much money we all spent on those buckets before we figured out a better way. How long do you find your canned beef stays good before you start noticing any texture changes?

rowan_roberts491d ago

The pressure canner is the way to go no doubt. You will save SO much money and get better food. I started with a mix of both but slowly moved to almost all canning. The freeze dried stuff is fine for long term storage in a bug out bag but for everyday eating it's garbage. If you stick with canning just make sure you follow the tested recipes exactly. Botulism is no joke and people get careless with low acid foods like meat and soup. Your cost breakdown is spot on too, I put up about 50 pints of beef stew last weekend for under 60 bucks.