The Modern Pioneer Pantry: A Complete Guide to Preserving Food

Fill your pantry, save money, and eat healthier using time-tested methods from Mary Bryant Shrader of the Mary's Nest YouTube channel.

There is no better way to preserve food than by using the methods our predecessors used. Canning, preserving, pickling, and drying have been used for centuries to make fresh food last longer and preserve garden harvests. Now, as grocery prices continue to rise, people have realized that these methods, when done properly and safely, can preserve fresh food for months and even years, which means less waste, a well-stocked pantry, and a bounty of delicious and healthy food.

Fans of Mary Bryant Shrader’s YouTube channel and website love her positive, encouraging approach to teaching complex topics in a way that is both entertaining and richly informative. In her first book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook, Mary shared tips for cooking traditional foods and using simple ingredients to make healthy meals more economically. Now, in The Modern Pioneer Pantry, Mary goes in depth and teaches you how to use water-bath canning, pressure canning, pickling, fermenting, freezing, dehydrating, and drying to preserve everything from fruits and vegetables to salads, jams and jellies, pickles, and so much more.

In addition to in-depth instruction for each method and over 115 recipes, you’ll learn how to use Mary's unique Four Corners Pantry approach to ensure your home will stay well stocked and food will never go bad. You'll also learn how to source inexpensive ingredients, get the most out of your garden (or the produce section at your local supermarkets), and create a pantry that will be a source of pride and also nutrient-rich food for your family. Each chapter also includes a scannable QR code that links to instructional videos on the Mary's Nest website.

Mary Bryant Shrader is the creator of Mary's Nest, a YouTube channel with over one million subscribers devoted to traditional cooking techniques using whole ingredients. In addition to her first bestselling book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook, Mary's in-depth videos have helped thousands of followers on their journeys to creating nutritious and delicious foods. Her gentle, patient approach helps home cooks of all abilities cook simpler and healthier. Mary lives in the Texas Hill Country with her sweet husband, Ted, and their lovable yellow lab, Indy. Their son, Ben, is just a drive away. You can join Mary and her sweet friends @MarysNest.