How to Can Apricots- Easy Canned Apricots Recipe (2024)

Why I Enjoy Canning Apricots

Of the many different ways to preserve food, canning is one of my favorites.

Basic fruit canning is very simple. If you have been hesitant to start canning your own fruits and vegetables, this is a great place to start.

The high acidity in apricots makes them a safe fruit to water bath can. Water bath canning is known as the “gateway” to canning. It requires less monetary investment and is an easy skill to learn.

Plus, there is something incredibly satisfying about filling up your pantry with home-canned foods! A satisfaction you can’t get from store-bought items.

This recipe allows you to control the amount of sugar you add to the syrup.

Two Ways to Can Fruit

My method of choice is to pack raw, but there are varying opinions on this. I think it’s less messy, easier to pack the jars, and yields a firmer end result, which I prefer.

• Raw Pack Method – Raw pack simply means putting the fresh fruit in the jars and pouring the hot water and sugar mixture over the fruit.
• Hot Pack Method – The hot pack method is when the fruit is actually cooked with the syrup before pouring it into the jars.

For the following recipe, I will be sharing my method using the raw pack method.

Preparation for Canned Apricots

Rinse the apricots with cold water in preparation for canning. Peeling them is optional. If you decide to peel them, read my tutorial on how to can pears. I include a peeling method that works well for peaches, pears, and apricots in that post.

Cut the apricots in half, remove the pit, and place them in jars. The apricots and syrup will cook together in the jar when using the raw pack method.

Pro-Tip: Place the apricots into the jars with the cut side down. This allows you to fit more apricots into the jar.

Equipment Needed

• Canning Jars – This recipe will yield approximately four 1-quart jars of fruit. If you are doubling the recipe, sterilize and prepare jars for the amount of fruit you have.
• Lids and Rings – You will need the same amount of lids and rings as jars.
• Water Bath Canner – If you don’t have a water bath canner, check out this steam canner, it works like a water bath but is much easier to use.
• Jar Lifter – A jar lifter is essential for safety when removing hot jars from the canner. This handy kit includes other useful tools as well.
• Wooden Spoon – I prefer using wooden spoons for canning purposes.
• Stainless Steel Pan – This is used for boiling the water and sugar to make the syrup.
• Hot Pads – Old kitchen towels will work as well, but you’ll need something to handle the hot jars and keep from burning your hands.
• Bubble Remover – A knife, chopstick, or ruler will work for this step as well.

Ingredients Needed

• Apricots – 9 pounds of apricots is just about perfect to fill your jars. Be sure to use fresh fruit without damage (or cut the blemishes off while cleaning).
• Water – You'll need 6 cups of water. Apricots can be canned with only water and no sugar, but if you're looking for that traditional taste of canned apricots, you'll want to at least use a light syrup… we all need a little sweetness, don’t we?
• Sugar – I like to use 2 cups of sugar for a nice light syrup, but this can be adjusted to your taste following my free downloadable syrup chart for canning fruit.

Click here for my FREE fruit syrup canning chart.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Canned Apricots

1. Prepare a hot water bath canner by filling it half way with warm water, placing rack inside, and setting on medium heat.
2. Have jars washed and rinsed in hot soapy water. Wide-mouth jars are the easiest to pack your apricots into.
3. In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar to a boil. After it comes to a boil, cover the pan, and turn off the burner since apricot canning goes so quickly.
4. Place apricots in the jar, cut side down, and fill to within ½ inch of rim of jar.
5. Pour hot syrup over apricots again allowing ½ inch of headspace.
6. Remove air bubbles by taking a chopstick, knife, or ruler and running it between the outside of the fruit and the inside of the jar. Re-check headspace and add more syrup if needed.
7. Wipe down the rim of the jar with a clean cloth, place lid and band on, and tighten to fingertip tight.
8. Place jars in the hot water bath canner. Carefully lower the filled jars into the water making sure the water level comes 1 inch above the top of the jars. Add more boiling water if necessary.
9. Bring water to a boil and begin the processing time only after water has reached a full boil. Cover with the lid and process pints for 25 minutes and quarts for 30 minutes. Turn off the burner and remove the lid. Wait 5 minutes, remove jars from the canner with a jar lifter, and place on a folded towel.
10. Allow to cool for 12 to 24 hours undisturbed.
11. Check seals, remove bands, wipe down jars to remove any sticky residue, and store for up to a year in your pantry.

More Canning Posts You Might Enjoy

• How to Can Pears the EASY Way
• Canning Problems and Solutions: Siphoning (Liquid Loss in Jars)
• 129+ Best Canning Recipes to Put Up This Year
• How Do You Know if a Canning Recipe is Safe
• How to Convert Recipes for Canning + Safety Tips
• Canning 101 Water-Bath vs. Pressure Canner
• 10+ Easy Home Canning Recipes

How to Can Apricots- Easy Canned Apricots Recipe

Melissa Norris

This recipe for canning apricots uses a light syrup (or sauce) without loads of sugar to preserve fresh apricots and fill your pantry to enjoy all year.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 219kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 661mgFiber: 5gSugar: 49gVitamin A: 4914IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg