Canning the Meaties

[PineBurrowPeeps]

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I'd like to know this too, I'm really interested in this topic. I'm subbing..

 

[jbowen9]

come on guys ok i will be the one to say it "It taste like chicken" no it isnt salty it is just like canned tuna, pork or anything else that is canned it will have the same taste as it did before you canned it

 

[cybercat]

But what of the texture of the meat. Is it like tuna also or is it more like cooked chicken pieces? I think that is really what everyone wants to know. What size is it cut to and what is it like after coming out of a jar. Is it mushy or firm, does it break up like tuna or does it keep its shape like frozen chicken?

 

[Kim_NC]

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I'd like to know this too, I'm really interested in this topic. I'm subbing..

No, not salty at all. It tastes like cooked chicken and makes really fast, easy meals.
For example, I use it to make...
- chicken and gravy with mashed potatoes
- chicken and rice
- chicken crepes
- chicken salad (I prefer white meat only for that)
- for meat pies
- for chicken noodle or chicken rice soups

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Hmmm...it depends on the original size of the raw cuts. The bigger they are, the firmer they stay after processing.

Commerically canned Tuna or chicken are mushy in comparison. Frozen chicken has a firmer texture than canned.

 

[dancingbear]

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I've pressure canned tough older birds. They become extremely tender, the broth is to die for, and they are only as salty as you choose to make them. If you don't want a lot of salt, don't add much. If you find it needs more when you open the can, it can be added, then. That's one reason I like to do my own. Store-bought canned meat is way too salty for me or DH; it actually burns our mouths, it has so much salt.

I use the canned meat in anything I would use pre-cooked meat in. A jar of chicken meat, and an additional jar of broth makes really quick chicken and dumplings. Just dump it in a pot, and while it heats, mix up dumplings, add to boiling broth, cook about 10-15 minutes until dumplings are cooked through. Voila! Dinner is served.

Last jar I opened, I took the bones out, added to the meat only (I saved the broth for later, except for just enough to keep the meat from scorching while being heated) some salsa, chipotle powder, chili powder, cumin, and some finely chopped onions, then heated corn tortillas, added grated cheese, and yum! It was delicious. Took about 15 minutes to make dinner, after the bones were out.

Next time I'm canning it boneless.

 

[jaku]

So would you be more likely then to use them say "in" things, such as a casserole, as opposed to throwing a chicken breast on the grill or in the oven?

 

[dancingbear]

I'm not quite sure what you mean. If you mean would I throw canned chicken breast on the grill, no, I wouldn't. Canned meat sort of falls apart in chunks. If you mean would I be more likely to use canned meat than grill a breast, I guess that depends on what I was in the mood for. I seldom throw a chicken on the grill anyway. Not a big fan of the grill, actually. We have a smoker, and sometimes we use that to make really delectable smoked pork roasts, and smoked chickens, too. We use the whole chicken, whenever we cook chicken, rather than only select pieces. Between us, we eat everything except the liver, which is awarded to one of our cats.

Reheat in a skillet and just eat, with whatever side dishes, sure. Yum. Or use in many, many dishes that you can make with precooked meat. Or just throw it on some bread with mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Or in a pita. Nice, precooked meat, I usually save for when I need a fast, easy meal. Great when I'm in a hurry, or tired, or the power's out.

 

[Kim_NC]

Yep...you can't grill canned chicken. It's already cooked. It would break apart and fall through the grill rack.

I mostly use it "in" recipes. I agree....great for quick easy meals when time or energy (or my motivation, LOL) is short.

 

[codybird]

This made me an expert.

http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Blue-Preserving-Jarden-Brands/dp/0972753702

Canned meats are fully cooked. You pressure cook the canned chicken for about forty minutes to vacuum the jars.

 

[cybercat]

OK could you deep fry the canned chickens like chicken strips?