No, you cannot safely can creamed soups that contain dairy at home.
Why Creamed Dairy Soups Are Not Safe for Home Canning
According to food preservation guidelines, creamed soups with dairy are NOT safe for home canning. The issue lies in how heat transfers through the soup during the canning process.
The presence of dairy, starches (like flour or cornstarch used for thickening), pasta, rice, or noodles can interfere with the proper distribution of heat throughout the jar. Adequate heat penetration is crucial to kill harmful microorganisms, particularly the spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism illness. If heat doesn't reach the center of the jar effectively, these spores can survive and produce deadly toxins.
Therefore, to ensure safety, these types of soups should not be preserved using traditional home canning methods.
Other Soup Ingredients to Avoid in Home Canning
Based on preservation safety standards, you should also avoid home canning soups that include:
- Thickeners: Soups thickened with flour or cornstarch.
- Grains/Starches: Soups with pasta, rice, or noodles.
These ingredients also hinder heat transfer, making it impossible to guarantee that the required temperature is reached and held for long enough throughout the jar to ensure safety.
| Ingredient Type | Safe for Home Canning? (in soups) |
|---|---|
| Creamed Soups (with Dairy) | NO |
| Soups Thickened (Flour/Starch) | NO |
| Soups with Pasta, Rice, Noodles | NO |
| (Note: Based on reference) |
Note: Safe soup canning recipes typically involve broth-based soups with allowed vegetables and meat, following specific pressure canning instructions.
Recommended Preservation Methods for Dairy Soups
For preserving creamed dairy soups or soups containing starches, pasta, rice, or noodles, freezing is the recommended and safe alternative. Freezing suspends microbial activity without requiring the intense heat penetration needed for canning.
Always consult reputable sources like university extension offices or the National Center for Home Food Preservation for safe and tested canning recipes and guidelines. Never attempt to can recipes or ingredients that are not specifically approved, especially those containing dairy or thickeners.
