Canning Shrubs Safely? (Berries) - Ask Extension
I’m wondering if there’s a safe fruit shrub canning recipe you could recommend? I’m looking for something I can waterbath and store at room temp...
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Canning Shrubs Safely? (Berries) #924636
Asked February 16, 2026, 11:01 AM EST
I’m wondering if there’s a safe fruit shrub canning recipe you could recommend? I’m looking for something I can waterbath and store at room temperature. I’d like to use my frozen berries from my garden! Thank you
Jackson County Michigan
Expert Response
The University of California Cooperative Extension shared a strawberry shrub recipe that is good in the fridge for a year.
The May/June 2025 Preserve It Fresh, Preserve it Safe newsletter from the North Central Region Food Safety Extension Network shared a general fruit shrub recipe but it is recommended to be used within 4-6 weeks.
Ball has a fruit shrub recipe as well but it is not water bath canned or shelf stable.
One suggestion to consider would be canning a tested fruit syrup recipe so it would be shelf stable and adding the vinegar component once you open the jar to serve. Some sources for fruit syrup recipes include the latest edition of the Ball Blue Book, the So Easy to Preserve book from University of Georgia Extension, and the National Center for Home Food Preservation website.
The May/June 2025 Preserve It Fresh, Preserve it Safe newsletter from the North Central Region Food Safety Extension Network shared a general fruit shrub recipe but it is recommended to be used within 4-6 weeks.
Ball has a fruit shrub recipe as well but it is not water bath canned or shelf stable.
One suggestion to consider would be canning a tested fruit syrup recipe so it would be shelf stable and adding the vinegar component once you open the jar to serve. Some sources for fruit syrup recipes include the latest edition of the Ball Blue Book, the So Easy to Preserve book from University of Georgia Extension, and the National Center for Home Food Preservation website.
