Saving Home Canned Food in Jars that did not Seal

Reprocessing Unsealed Jars

• If a jar does not seal but has been correctly processed according to safe processing methods, it can be re-canned if identified within 24-hours.
• If a jar does not seal and you did not follow safe processing methods, such as incorrect processing time, initial temperature (hot pack versus raw pack, initial temperature of the water in canner) was not observed, or the incorrect processing method was used, food can be re-canned within 2-hours.

• If reprocessing is acceptable, remove the original lid and check jar sealing surface for nicks. Change the jar, if necessary. Follow the manufacturer's directions to prepare a new closure.

• When reprocessing, follow the hot pack instructions, including reheating the food and/or liquid. The food and/or liquid must be packed into a clean hot jar and covered with a new clean lid. The filled jar must then be reprocessed using the canning method and full length of processing time as stated in the recipe. Adjust the processing time according to your current elevation.

• If the original safe canning recipe has no hot pack instructions, or it is a dense item, such as pie filling or squash, then is advisable to freeze or refrigerate that product instead of reprocessing.

Freezing or Refrigerating Unsealed Jars

• Take the jar that did not seal during processing, remove the lid, and increase the headspace to 1 ½ inches. This will allow for food and/or liquid expansion when freezing. The canning lid may be reused when freezing.
• Foods in single unsealed jars can be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days.