🌯 Burritos in a Jar
The Ultimate Rebel Canning Recipe – Uncooked Rice & Beans!
📌 In This Article
🌯 The Burrito in a Jar Story
"Not sure why I thought it would be a good idea to post a picture of my burritos in a jar on a different Group page… Good grief what was I thinking… Uncooked rice, uncooked beans !!! heavens to Betsy. Maybe y'all would appreciate my work today." 🌯✨
If you mention canning uncooked rice and uncooked beans in certain circles, people lose their minds. The "ABC agencies" haven't tested this for safety, so it's considered rebel canning [citation:6]. But for those of us who understand the science of pressure canning, this recipe is a game-changer.
This recipe layers dry beans, uncooked brown rice, vegetables, partially cooked meat, and seasonings into pint jars, then pressure cans them for 75 minutes. The result? A shelf-stable burrito filling that's ready to heat and serve whenever you need it [citation:3][citation:5].
💬 The rebel approach: "I am of the belief that what you do in your kitchen is your business. The 'ABC' agencies haven't tested many foods for canning and that is why they don't have specific times and instructions for them." [citation:6]
⚠️ Important Safety Information
⚠️ Read This Before You Start
This is a "Rebel Canning" recipe and is NOT USDA-approved. The National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends preparing beans separately and canning them without rice [citation:1].
The risks: The starch in rice can prevent heat from reaching the center of the jar, creating a "cold spot" where bacteria can thrive [citation:2].
Key Safety Rules:
- Use a pressure canner – water bath is NOT safe for this recipe
- Partially cook meat first – it will finish cooking during processing [citation:3]
- Leave proper headspace – 1 to 2 inches for quarts, 1 inch for pints
- Process for full time – 75 minutes for pints, 90 minutes for quarts
- Adjust for altitude – increase pressure at higher elevations
If you choose to use this method, you do so at your own risk. Never consume canned goods that show signs of spoilage – bulging lids, off odors, or discoloration.
📦 Ingredients – Per Pint Jar
From the Original Recipe
- 🫘 ¼ cup dry beans – pinto, black, or your favorite
- 🍚 1 tablespoon uncooked brown rice
- 🧅 ¼ cup chopped onion
- 🫑 ¼ cup chopped green pepper
- 🥩 ¾ cup partially cooked ground meat – beef, pork, or chicken [citation:3]
- 🍅 2 tablespoons Rotel tomatoes – diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 🌿 ½ tablespoon taco seasoning
- 🥫 Beef broth – to fill jars to appropriate headspace
- 🧂 ¾ teaspoon beef bouillon – optional, with water instead of broth
💡 Pro tip: "When you cook the meat you only want it to be cooked enough so it stays in chunks. It will continue to cook in the canner." [citation:3]
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare the Meat
- Brown the ground meat in a skillet until partially cooked – it should still be in chunks [citation:3].
- Drain excess grease.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
💡 Pro tip: "If you want to do pints, just half the recipe and change the time to 75 minutes." [citation:3]
Step 2 – Layer the Jars
- In each pint jar, layer ingredients in this order [citation:3]:
- ¼ cup dry beans – on the bottom
- 1 tablespoon uncooked brown rice
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped green pepper
- ¾ cup partially cooked ground meat
- 2 tablespoons Rotel tomatoes
- ½ tablespoon taco seasoning
⚠️ Important: "The starch in rice can prevent heat from reaching the center of the jar, creating a 'cold spot' where bacteria can thrive. I tend to put the rice on the very bottom in a thinner layer (or not at all)." [citation:2]
Step 3 – Add Liquid
- Fill the jar with beef broth, leaving 1 inch headspace.
- Alternatively, use water and ¾ teaspoon beef bouillon per jar.
Step 4 – Remove Air Bubbles and Seal
- Run a non-metallic spatula along the inside of each jar to release trapped air.
- Wipe rims clean with a damp cloth.
- Apply lids and tighten to fingertip-tight.
Step 5 – Pressure Can
- Place jars in the pressure canner with 2-3 inches of hot water.
- Lock the lid and vent steam for 10 minutes.
- Close the vent and bring to pressure:
- Weighted gauge: 10 psi (0-1,000 ft), 15 psi (above)
- Dial gauge: 11 psi (0-2,000 ft), adjust for altitude
- Process pints for 75 minutes [citation:3][citation:5].
- Turn off heat and let pressure drop naturally.
Step 6 – Cool and Check Seals
- Remove jars and place on a towel-lined counter.
- Let cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
- Check seals – lids should be concave and not flex when pressed.
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Burrito in a Jar
- 🫘 Soak beans overnight: Some canners soak beans for 12 hours before canning to ensure even cooking.
- 🍚 Use brown rice: Brown rice holds up better during pressure canning than white rice [citation:4].
- 🥩 Cook meat in chunks: Don't over-crumb the meat – chunks hold together better [citation:3].
- 🌿 Adjust the heat: Add more taco seasoning or hot peppers for extra spice.
- 🥫 Save the liquid: The broth in the jar is flavorful – use it when heating.
- 🌯 Serve it right: Heat on the stove and serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings [citation:3][citation:5].
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is canning uncooked rice safe?
This is not a USDA-approved method. The starch in rice can create cold spots [citation:2]. This is "rebel canning" – use at your own risk [citation:6].
❓ Can I use white rice instead of brown?
Yes – but brown rice holds its texture better during pressure canning [citation:4].
❓ Can I use this recipe for quart jars?
Yes – double the ingredients and process for 90 minutes [citation:3][citation:5].
❓ How long do burritos in a jar last?
Properly sealed jars last up to 18 months in a cool, dark pantry.
❓ Can I use chicken or pork instead of beef?
Yes – any ground meat works well [citation:1][citation:4].
❓ What if my jars don't seal?
Refrigerate unsealed jars and use within 3-4 days.
❓ Can I add cheese to the jars?
It's not recommended – cheese doesn't can well and can interfere with the seal.
❓ Why is there a cold spot risk with rice?
Rice is starchy and can prevent heat from penetrating the jar evenly [citation:2].
❓ Can I use this method for other grain and bean combinations?
Yes – but each combination may have different processing needs.
❓ What are signs of spoilage?
Bulging lids, off odors, cloudy liquid, or discoloration – discard immediately.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ BURRITOS IN A JAR ║
║ The Ultimate Rebel Canning Recipe ║
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YIELD: 7-8 pints | PROCESS: 75 minutes
INGREDIENTS (per pint jar):
- ¼ cup dry beans
- 1 Tbsp uncooked brown rice
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped green pepper
- ¾ cup partially cooked ground meat
- 2 Tbsp Rotel tomatoes
- ½ Tbsp taco seasoning
- Beef broth (or water + ¾ tsp beef bouillon)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Partially cook ground meat in chunks.
2. Layer ingredients in pint jars in order listed.
3. Fill with beef broth to 1" headspace.
4. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, apply lids.
5. Pressure can at 10-11 psi for 75 minutes.
6. Let pressure drop naturally.
7. Cool 12-24 hours. Check seals.
STORAGE: 18 months (cool, dark place).
"Uncooked rice, uncooked beans !!! heavens to Betsy." 🌯✨
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This is a Rebel Canning method. Use at your own risk.
© CanningRebels — Burritos in a Jar | The Ultimate Rebel Canning Recipe
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