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I purchased a canning book that had remarks on the cover that said USDA Safe recipes. I have since learned that these may have not been safely tested recipies as many books claim to be. #924076

Asked January 30, 2026, 2:28 PM EST

I am concerned about a canning recipe that claimed to be a USDA safe canning recipe. Please let me know if this recipe is safe to store and eat, or if I should toss the food in my jars,

Thank you

Morris County New Jersey

Expert Response

My only concern is the addition of the water, which could possibly buffer the pH and make it less acidic. Which could cause spoliage of what you canned. The recipe below does not have water as an ingredient. Here is the newest recipe to follow. 


Pickled Mixed Vegetables

  • 4 lbs of 4- to 5-inch pickling cucumbers, washed, and cut into 1-inch slices (cut off 1/16 inch from blossom end and discard)
  • 2 lbs peeled and quartered small onions
  • 4 cups cut celery (1-inch pieces)
  • 2 cups peeled and cut carrots (1/2-inch pieces)
  • 2 cups cut sweet red peppers (1/2-inch pieces)
  • 2 cups cauliflower flowerets
  • 5 cups white vinegar (5 percent)
  • 1/4 cup prepared mustard
  • 1/2 cup canning or pickling salt
  • 3-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 tbsp celery seed
  • 2 tbsp mustard seed
  • 1/2 tsp whole cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric

Yield: About 10 pints

Please read Using Boiling Water Canners before beginning. If this is your first time canning, it is recommended that you read Principles of Home Canning.

Procedure: Combine vegetables, cover with 2 inches of cubed or crushed ice, and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours. In 8-quart kettle, combine vinegar and mustard and mix well. Add salt, sugar, celery seed, mustard seed, cloves, turmeric. Bring to a boil. Drain vegetables and add to hot pickling solution. Cover and slowly bring to a boil. Drain vegetables but save pickling solution. Fill vegetables in sterile pint jars, or clean quarts, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Add pickling solution, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.

Adjust lids and process according to the recommendations in Table 1.

Table 1. Recommended process time for Pickled Mixed Vegetables in a boiling-water canner.
Process Time at Elevations of
Style of PackJar Size0 - 1,000 ft1,001 - 6,000 ftAbove 6,000 ft
HotPints5 min1015
Quarts101520



This document was adapted from the "Complete Guide to Home Canning," Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 539, USDA, revised 2015.


Richard Kralj Replied January 30, 2026, 2:52 PM EST

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