Peach Canning Recipes: Jam, Jelly, Salsa, & Sauces with low sugar options + FREE Printable Labels
04. August 2021Peaches a ’Plenty! If you have a bushel or two (or just a handful) of delicious summer peaches, you might want to preserve them now to enjoy later. My favorite way to eat peaches is fresh with the juices running down my arms! But when I can them, I want to make sure I taste the peach flavor and not just added sugar. I gathered up some resources and peach canning recipes for this post. I noted which peach jam recipes use reduced sugar or substitutes like honey or maple syrup. Many traditional jam recipes have 6+ cups of sugar, so for those looking to cut back on added sugar, please give these recipes a try. If you want to reduce sugar in jam, you can also try a low-sugar pectin. Pomona’s Pectin allows you to use even less sugar than other traditional low-sugar pectins.
AND we designed these FREE Printable Peach Canning Labels & Hang Tags so you can decorate all of your peachy-keen jars! There are multiple fun and colorful canning labels that you can handwrite text onto for your specific canned goodies. We also include cute labels just for jam and jelly. The printable hang tags include a variety of designs with fun sayings.
Download the FREE Printable Peach Canning Labels & Hang Tags.
Download the FREE Printable Peach Canning Labels & Hang Tags.
Download the FREE Printable Peach Canning Labels & Hang Tags.
Many canners think they need a ton of sugar to can jam. This is not true, although opinions differ for sure. How much sugar do you need to preserve fruit or retain the color of what’s in the jar? Instead of sugar, can you opt for natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup instead (which are just sugars in a different form, yet more “healthy” options compared to refined sugar)? If so, what are the ratios of those ingredients to replace sugar? Here are a few good places to read more about reducing (or eliminating) additional added sugar in recipes.
- While sugar is not needed to can fruit, it helps improve flavor and color. Simply Canning has info on the downsides of canning without sugar. Once opened, a sugar-free or naturally sweetened jam will not last as long in the fridge, or it may become discolored on the shelf. The best solution for that in my opinion is to can in the smallest jars so you can use it up before it goes bad. I often can jam in 4-oz jars.
- Kathleen from Roots & Boots has a great article on how to can sugar and pectin free jam. She helps dispel some of the myths about canning without sugar.
- HealthyCanning also has an article on canning substitutes like Stevia or sucralose.
- The good news is that it is perfectly safe to use maple syrup or honey in place of sugar when canning. You can read more about how to substitute honey for sugar in recipes (honey can also replace other sweeteners).
- Maple syrup can effect the taste of fruit. It’s best to use a light golden or amber syrup that has a more delicate taste so fruit isn’t overwhelmed with a maple syrup taste. Home Spun Seasonal Living has an article on how to use maple syrup in recipes in place of sugar.
- Naturally Sweet Food in Jars by Marisa McClellan has already tested canning recipes using natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, agave, fruit juice concentrate, & more. I highly recommend this book if you want to reduce refined sugar in canning recipes. And plus, all the hard work of testing recipes with sugar alternatives has been done for you!
- There are different pectins you can use that help reduce some of the sugar in jam recipes. SBCanning has a good rundown of these pectins for reduced sugar canning recipes.
- Even plain water may be used to can fruit, although a light sugar syrup may be a bit tastier.
SAFETY CANNING NOTE: Do not substitute white peaches in place of yellow peaches. White peaches have a higher pH which makes them a low acid food unsafe for canning (unless they are properly acidified).
Shop for Cute Peach canning labels in our shop. These labels are part of our Cute Canning Label Collection that has matching fruit and vegetable labels.
Peach Jam Canning Recipes
You can’t go wrong with a basic peach jam! But every once in a while, I like to mix it up and add vanilla bean, brown sugar, or other fruit to my peach jam. While jam is great on biscuits or toast, I also add it to oatmeal, smoothies, or ice cream.
- No Sugar Peach Jam (Low/No Sugar or Honey Option with pectin)
- Peach Jam (Low sugar recipe with Pomona’s pectin)
- Vanilla Peach Jam
- Maple Vanilla Peach Jam (Low sugar recipe with Pomona’s pectin & maple syrup)
- Peach Cardamom Jam
- Peach-Ginger Jam (Low sugar recipe with Pomona’s pectin & honey option)
- Raspberry and Peach Jam
- Peach Raspberry Melba Jam (Low sugar recipe with Pomona’s pectin)
- Blackberry Peach Jam
- Strawberry Peach Jam
- Fruit Cobbler Jam (Low sugar recipe with Pomona’s pectin)
- Peach Almond Jam
- Peach & Cherry Jam (honey & lower sugar compared to traditional recipes)
- Cherry + Peach All Fruit Jam (Low sugar recipe with Pomona’s pectin & fruit juice concentrate)
- Peach Nectarine Plum Jam
- Peach Jam with Orange & Honey (honey & sugar)
- Spicy Peach and Yellow Tomato Jam (honey & Pomona’s pectin)
- Peach Jalapeno Jam
- Peach-Jalapeno Jam (Low sugar recipe with Pomona’s pectin)
- Peach Habanero Jam
- Honey Peach Preserves (with honey)
- Peach + Citrus Marmalade (low sugar with Pomona’s Pectin)
- Ginger Peach Conserve (apple juice, brown sugar, & sugar-free pectin)
- Peach Bourbon Jam
- Small Batch Bourbon Peach Jam
- Peach Jam with Brown Sugar and Bourbon (brown sugar)
Sweet Cherry and Yellow Peach Preserves and Peach Cherry Compote
Sweet Cherry and Yellow Peach Preserves
Pairing peaches and cherries are a match made in heaven. This peach cherry preserves recipes from Marisa McClellan from Food in Jars is one of my favorites. Marisa also has an amazing Peach Cherry Compote recipe sweetened with concentrated white grape juice. The peach cherry compote recipe is in her book: Naturally Sweet Food in Jars. The book has recipes for preserves made with coconut, maple, honey, and other natural sweeteners.
Peach Cherry Compote on top of Vanilla Bean Peaches. The Compote recipe is sweetened with concentrated white grape juice. The compote recipe is in Marisa McClellan's book: Naturally Sweet Food in Jars.
Shop for Gingham Peach canning labels in our shop. These labels are part of our Gingham Canning Label Collection that has matching fruit and vegetable labels.
Peach Pie Filling Canning Recipes
Peach pie filling requires thickening, but there are only a few thickeners approved by the USDA. Clear Jel seems to be a favorite for canners since it doesn’t clump. The non-instant Clear Jel (regular type Clear Jel) will withstand the canning process.
- Peach Pie Filling (uses clear jet to thicken)
- Peach Pie Filling with Ginger (uses clear jet to thicken)
- Honey Peach Pie Filling (uses clear jet to thicken)
- Cardamom Peach Pie Filling (low sugar with Pomona’s Pectin)
Peach Jelly Canning Recipes
The great thing about making peach jelly is that you can make it with discarded skins and pits. Just make sure you use organic peaches! You can also simmer down peach skins and pits to make syrup for pancakes or to use as a sweetener in other recipes.
- Peach Jelly (use peels or peaches, with low or high sugar options noted)
- Peach Peel Jelly
- Peach-Jalapeno Jelly (Low sugar recipe with Pomona’s pectin)
- Strawberry Peach Jelly
- Making Jelly without added pectin
Download the FREE Printable Peach Canning Labels & Hang Tags.
Basic Peach Fruit Canning Recipes
There’s nothing boring about basic sliced peaches in a jar! Peaches are one of my favorite things to can. I usually put up a dozen jars each of plain sliced peaches in a light syrup and vanilla bean spiced peaches. Both are great on top of pancakes, ice cream, or simply eaten right out of the jar. I add Ball Fruit-Fresh Produce Protector (citric acid) to my peaches to help keep them from browning.
- Canning Peaches in Fruit Syrup (water, sugar, maple syrup, honey, or fruit juices)
- Sliced Peaches
- Honey Spiced Peaches (with honey & sugar)
- Spiced Brandied Peaches (with honey)
- Chai Spiced Peaches in Light Honey Syrup (with honey)
- Honey Syrup Peach Slices (with honey & sugar)
- Ginger Bourbon Peaches
Peach Butters & Syrups
My preferred way to make peach butter is with the skins on in a crock pot. Why? Because I’m lazy! If I can avoid peeling peaches, I will. I have also used a pressure cooker to quickly cook down peaches. Then I use an immersion blender right in the pot to make the butter. Adding a splash of lemon juice, ginger, and honey makes a great butter for biscuits or oatmeal. If you want to skin your peaches for a recipe, you can also simmer down the discarded skins and pits to make syrup. Just make sure to use organic peaches.
- Honey Sweetened Gingery Peach Butter (honey)
- Peach Butter
- SlowCooker Peach Honey Fruit-butter (honey & sugar)
- Colorado Peach Butter with a kiss of vanilla
- White Peach Butter with Lemon (Slow Cooker/Canning with low sugar)
- Peach Vanilla Drizzle
- Peach Nectar (add sugar to taste)
- Vanilla Peach Syrup
- Peach Syrup using skins and pits
Honey Sweetened Gingery Peach Butter
Peach Salsa, Chutney, & Sauces
Shop for Apothecary Peach Canning Labels in our shop.
Peach BBQ Sauce
Our zesty Peach BBQ Sauce makes a sweet and zesty homemade condiment. This unique BBQ sauce can be brushed on meat or grilled vegetables. Toss in cold pasta dishes, serve with cheese platters or spread on sandwiches. The possibilities are truly endless. Get the canning recipe on our blog post and shop for Apothecary Peach Canning Labels in our shop.
- Peach Habanero Hot Sauce
- Fermented Peach Hot Sauce
- Peach & Brandy Sauce
- Peach Rum Sauce
- Peach Mostarda
- Honey-Sweetened Peach Chutney (with honey)
- Lacto-fermented Cinnamon-peach Chutney
- Peach Mango Chutney
- Peach Chutney with Toasted Whole Spices
- Indiana Peach Chutney
- Peach, Pear and or Apple Allspice Chutney
- Peach Salsa
- Lacto-Fermented Peach Salsa
- Fire Roasted Tomato and Peach Salsa
I make a Fiery Peach Salsa recipe from The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving that is pretty amazing served over steamed rice with grilled salmon. You can also dip chips in this salsa or top burgers with it.
Pickled & Fermented Peaches
Peaches aren’t just for jam and jelly, ya know! You can pickle and ferment them as well. Serve some fermented peach salsa or pickled peaches at your next summer BBQ to wow your guests.
- Pickled Peaches
- Fruit Shrubs
- Fermented Fruit Kvass (using peaches or other fruits)
- Lacto-fermented Cinnamon-peach Chutney
- Lacto-Fermented Peach Salsa
- Fermented Peach Hot Sauce
- Lacto-Fermented peaches with Honey & Purple Basil
Download the FREE Printable Peach Canning Labels & Hang Tags.
Shop all of our Peach Canning Labels on CanningCrafts.com
See our Canning Peaches Pinterest Board for more peach recipes.
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