Homemade Blueberry Pie Filling Canning Recipe for Easy Desserts

Canning blueberry pie filling lets you enjoy this beloved fruit all year long, creating effortless desserts with a homemade touch. If you’re making a family favorite pie or exploring new treats, this method saves both time and money while making the most of seasonal produce. Plus, it’s a satisfying way to control ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives. With just a little preparation, you’ll have the best blueberry pie filling ready for any occasion.

This recipe comes from the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving and will yield 4-pint jars of Blueberry Pie Filling for Canning.

Ingredients for Blueberry Pie Filling

List of Ingredients

• Water
• Blueberries (7 cups)
• Granulated Sugar (1 2/3 cups)
• Clear Jel (2/3 cup) (Cook type)
• Bottled Lemon jhttps://geni.us/XIZs8uuice (2 tbsp)
• Blue Food Coloring (12 Drops) (Optional)
• Red Food Coloring (4 Drops) (Optional)
• Grated Lemon Zest (1 tsp) (Optional)

If you can’t find the cook type Clear Jel I have a resource that provides information on how to can pie filling without clear jel. Ball suggests using the food coloring to enhance the color of this pie filling because the blueberries tend to have a dull blue color that does not color the pie gel as well. The addition of the food coloring brightens the overall color of the pie filling, making it more appealing.

Equipment needed for Canning Blueberry Pie Filling

Here is the equipment I used when canning this blueberry pie filling:

• Colander
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Large Stainless Steel Pot
• 1/2 pint Canning Ladle
• Pint Size Canning Jars
• Lids
• Rings
• Water Bath Canner or Steam Canner
• Jar Lifter
• Headspace Measurer/De-bubbler

Instructions for Canning Blueberry Pie Filling

Clean Jars and Lids

Clean jars and lids with warm soapy water. Ensure the jars do not have any chips or bubbles in the glass.

Prepare Blueberries

Wash and sort your blueberries to ensure you have the best blueberries for your pie filling.

Fill a Large Stainless Steel pot halfway with water and bring it to a full rolling boil over high heat.

Add Blueberries to the boiling water and blanch them for 1 minute.

Drain well and return the blueberries to the pot. Cover them and keep them warm.

Prepare Canner

Using Water Bath Canner

Put your water bath canner on your stove. Add your canning rack to the water bath canner. Add your pint jars or quart jars to the water bath canner. They will warm as you heat the water. Add enough water to cover jars with at least 2-3 inches of water. Start to bring your water to a boil.

Using Steam Canner

Put your steam canner on your stove. Add the steam canner rack to the bottom of the steam canner. Add the recommended amount of water to the steam canner according to the manufacturer. Add your pint jars or quart jars to the steam canner. Put the lid on your steam canner and start your stove. The jars will warm as you heat your steam canner.

Cooking Blueberry Pie Filling

In a Large Stainless Steel Pot, combine the sugar and Clear Jel. Whisk in 2 cups of water. Add the blue and red food coloring (if using).

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.

Stir in the Lemon zest (If using) and the Lemon Juice and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat. Fold in the heated blueberries so everything is combined.

Fill Jars

Once you have hot jars and hot pie filling

Water Bath Canner

Remove your jars from the water bath canner one at a time using your jar lifter. Dump the water out of the jar into your water bath canner to ensure there is still 2-3 inches of water above your jars.

Steam Canner

Remove the steam canner lid and remove your jars one at a time using your jar lifter.

Fill Jars

Using the ladle and funnel. Ladle hot pie filling into hot jars, leaving 1 1/4 inch headspace. Use your headspace measurer to verify space. Remove any air bubbles with your de-bubbler and adjust the headspace, if necessary, by adding more pie filling. (This recipe calls for a slightly larger headspace because it does expand a lot while processing).

Wipe the rim to ensure a good seal is made with the lid. Center the lid on the jar and screw the band down to fingertip tight.

Place the jar in the canner using your jar lifter. Repeat until all blueberry pie filling is used.

Processing Easy Blueberry Pie Filling

Water Bath Canner

Lower the water bath canner rack into the boiling water. Ensure your jars are covered by at least 2 inches of water.

If your water is not boiling start your processing time when the water is boiling. Process pint jars for 30 minutes. Make sure to adjust your time for altitude.

Set a timer, it makes it much easier to make sure you process for the correct time. When your timer goes off turn off the heat and remove the canner lid.

Leave the jars in the water for 5 minutes.

Steam Canner

Put the lid on the steam canner. Turn your stove on high until your steam canner water comes to a vigorous boil. Continue heating so the indicator is in the correct “Zone” per your altitude. 

Start your processing time when the needle reaches the maximum point you have tested your steam canner to reach in your “Zone”.

Adjust the burner so that it maintains an even rolling boil throughout the entire processing time. Usually, this will be much lower than where it was set for the vigorous boil. If the top lid is lifting and/or spitting water from the edges this is an indication that you have the heat turned up too high. Slowly reduce the heat until this stops. Watch the indicator to ensure the temperature does not decrease.

The processing times for steam canning are the same as for water bath canning. Process pint jars for 30 minutes.

Make sure to adjust your time for altitude. Set a timer, it makes it much easier to make sure you process for the correct time.

When your timer goes off turn off the heat and let the canner stand for 5 minutes with the lid on before removing the jars. The lid MUST remain ON the canner during this time. This cool-down period is necessary to ensure the jar contents are properly processed.

Carefully remove the lid by tilting it away from you to avoid steam burns.

Cooling Jars

Using your jar lifer carefully move the jars onto a wire rack or kitchen towel to allow them to cool. When moving the jars try not to tilt them to the side as this could affect the seal of the jars. Allow your jars to cool for 12-24 hours before handling.

Once cool, remove the canning rings from the jars. Wash your jars off to ensure no food residue on the outside of the jar from processing. Label your jar with the name of the recipe and date. This will help you remember what recipe you used to can and the date will allow you to use the oldest canned goods first.

Creative Uses for Canned Blueberry Pie Filling

Canned blueberry pie filling is more versatile than you might think. Sure, it’s the star ingredient in a classic blueberry pie, but it can be so much more.

Beyond Pies: Unique Recipe Ideas

Why stop at pie? You can transform blueberry pie filling into other delightful dishes that bring new life to your kitchen. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• Layered Parfaits: Start with a clear glass and layer creamy yogurt or whipped cream, granola, and spoonfuls of blueberry pie filling. It’s a simple yet elegant presentation perfect for brunch or an afternoon treat.
• Cake Filling: Use it as a filling for vanilla or lemon layer cakes. It adds a bright, fruity contrast to rich frostings.
• Ice Cream Topping: Warm it slightly and drizzle over a scoop of vanilla or cheesecake ice cream for that extra burst of flavor.
• Stuffed French Toast: Take your weekend breakfast to the next level by spreading blueberry pie filling between two slices of bread before dunking and frying. Add powdered sugar for the perfect finish.

By keeping a few jars of canned blueberry pie filling on hand, you’ll always be ready for a dessert emergency or to add a special touch to any meal.

Quick and Easy Desserts

Need a dessert in a hurry? Canned blueberry pie filling has your back. Here are a few ideas to whip up something sweet and satisfying in no time:

• Blueberry Cobbler: Dump the pie filling into a baking dish, top with a quick biscuit dough or even cake mix, and bake. It’s comfort food at its finest, with minimal effort.
• No-Bake Cheesecake: Spread prepared cheesecake mix into a graham cracker crust and top generously with blueberry pie filling. Chill and serve.
• Blueberry Turnovers: Use store-bought puff pastry, cut into squares, fill with blueberry pie filling, and bake until golden brown.
• Fruit and Cream Cups: Spoon blueberry pie filling into small cups and top with whipped cream or mascarpone for an effortless, Instagram-worthy dessert.

These ideas are perfect for busy weeknights or when unexpected guests drop by.

Other Pie-Filling Recipes

Looking for some additional pie-filling recipes for canning or freezing?

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