How to Make and Can Grape Juice From Scratch

I’d like to show you how to make and can grape juice from scratch. Keep reading (and watch the video) for a step by step tutorial!

Earlier this week I went to my husband’s grandmother’s house to harvest grapes from grapevines she planted in 1960. She just turned 99 years old this month, and she still cans her own garden produce! She is an inspiring woman, and one whom I learn a lot from, to be sure.

I am not certain what variety of grapes these are, but they have a delicious flavor. They do have seeds, so drying them into raisins to preserve them isn’t an option. But they are perfect for turning into juice and jelly!

I harvested 32 pounds of grapes, which yielded 9 quarts of juice.

Making homemade grape juice from scratch is a simple, though time consuming process. It is a good activity to do with a loved one (or loved ones). All the while singing songs and sharing stories…

I am fascinated by the ancient relationship between humans and grapes. We have record of humans cultivating grapes as early as 7,000 BC! They are truly an ancestral food.

And as a Christian, when working with grapes I can’t help but think of the Bible verse John 15: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Watch my video on How to Make and Can Grape Juice to see the whole process from start to finish!

Tips for Making and Canning Grape Juice From Scratch:

• I harvested my grapes early in the morning and made the juice that same day. This would be what I recommend for the freshest and best tasting juice. However, if you do not have time to harvest grapes and make the juice in the same day, you can refrigerate your grapes until you are ready to use them. I have not tried this recipe with store-bought grapes, but I’m sure it would work the same!
• Set an entire day aside to do this, and enlist the help of loved ones if possible! As I said above, it is a very simple process, but it is time consuming.
• I use a jelly bag to strain my juice, but you can also use a fine mesh strainer. If you do use a mesh strainer the juice will end up a little pulpier, but this won’t effect the safety of the canned juice, so no worries there.
• Grape juice is canned using the water bath method. You can use a traditional water bath canner, or if you have a pressure canner you can use that as a water bath canner by removing the overpressure plug and pressure regulator from the lid. This is the canner I use. Always follow manufacturers instructions for using your canner properly.
• When canning, always use new lids. It is ok to reuse the jars, so long as they do not have any cracks, but reusing the lids can cause safety issues. You can find packs of just lids, so you don’t need to buy new jars just to get new lids!

Tools:

• Water Bath Canner
• Quart Size Canning Jars
• Jar Lifter
• Lid Lifter
• Jelly Bag or Fine Mesh Strainer
• Potato Masher or Wooden Pounder
• Stock Pot
• Large Bowl(s)
• Kitchen Scale

How to Make Homemade Grape Juice From Scratch:

1. First, you will need to weigh your grapes to find out just how much you have. The recipe that I use (which comes from the Ball Blue Book) calls for 21 pounds of grapes, which makes six quarts of juice. In this case I ended up with 32 pounds of grapes. And that made 9 quarts of juice.

2. Second, wash your grapes in cool water to remove any dirt, insects or debris.

3. Third, remove the grapes from the stems. As you can imagine, removing 21 pounds (or more) of grapes from their stems can take a while! So for this part it is best to have the help of a loved one, with some music or a podcast in the background. For example, my husband and I worked together while listening to one of our favorite podcasts, Stand to Reason.

These next few steps are best done in batches.

4. Fourth, mash your grapes well with a potato masher or a wooden pounder, to get the juices flowing.

5. Fifth, measure your grape mash and add it to a large stock pot. For every quart (four cups) of mash, add 1/4 cup of purified water.

6. Sixth, heat your grape mash / water mixture to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and let it simmer for 10 minutes. And be careful not to boil the mixture.

7. Seventh, strain the juice from the mash. Now, this is another time consuming part of the process. Be that as it may, it is important not to rush it. You don’t want to end up with seeds or too much pulp in your final product! Just be patient and keep at it. And be careful not to burn yourself, as the juice will be hot.

8. While your juice is straining, sanitize your canning jars. To do this you simply boil them (with the lids separate) in your canner for 10 minutes.

9. Once your juice is strained, pour the hot juice into the hot jars. Leave 1/4 inch of headspace.

10. Place the hot lids on top of the jars and secure with the bands to fingertip tight.

How to Can Homemade Grape Juice

1. To begin with, bring the water in your canner to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Next, using the jar lifter carefully place the jars on the canning rack. Then lower them into your canner. Make sure that the water covers the tops of the jars by at least one inch. Put the canning lid on top of the canner.

3. After that, bring the water in the canner to a vigorous boil.

4. Now process your grape juice for 15 minutes.

5. Once the processing time is finished, turn off the stove and let the jars cool in the canner for five minutes.

6. Lastly, carefully remove the jars using the jar lifter. Let them cool an additional 12-24 hours at room temperature before checking the seal.

7. To check the seal, press into the center of the lid. It should not move or make a popping sound. If it does, that jar is not sealed properly. You can re-process it following the same steps above. Or you can put it in the fridge and use it within one week.

Your homemade cans of grape juice can now be stored in a dark, cool and dry place for up to two years.

If you try this recipe and enjoy it, I would be so grateful if you could come back and give it five stars! And I love to see your pictures of my recipes, so be sure to tag me on Instagram @verityfolkschool.

What kinds of things have you been canning and preserving this harvest season? I am always looking for new recipes, so please share in the comments below if you have any tried and true recipes!

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