How to Can Concentrated Grape Juice at Home

Canning Concentrated Grape Juice

When the grapes on the vine start giving off that unmistakable sweet aroma, you know it is time to start processing juice. We have two vines in our yard. One is dedicated to making concentrated grape juice and grape jelly. The other is used for quick grape juice and sharing with friends.

Concentrated grape juice takes a little more effort than whole‑grape juice, but the flavor payoff is worth it. You will need a food mill or fruit press to extract the juice properly, especially if your grapes contain seeds.

We make concentrated grape juice from the one vine along with homemade grape jelly.  The other we will share with friends and make quick grape juice.

Best Grapes for Concentrated Juice

We use concord grapes for concentrated juice. They offer the deep flavor and sweetness needed for a rich, concentrated base. Make sure your grapes are fully ripe. Unripe grapes will give you a tart, thin juice.

If your grapes have seeds, a hand‑crank food mill works best. Electric mills can struggle unless they are designed for grapes.

How to Make Concentrated Grape Juice

1. Prepare the Grapes: Pick your grapes from the vine and remove spoiled or green grapes. Wash them in cool water and drain well.
2. Extract the Juice: Run the grapes through your food mill, fruit press, or a mixer with a strainer attachment. This separates the skins and seeds while collecting the juice in a large bowl.
3. Fill Your Jars: Pour the extracted juice into clean jars. If you prefer a sweeter concentrate, add sugar directly into each jar before processing.
4. Process the Juice: Follow your water bath canning instructions in the recipe card. Once processed, allow the jars to cool, check seals, and label.

How Long Does Concentrated Grape Juice Last?

Properly canned concentrated grape juice lasts up to 10 months. Always label and date your jars so you know when to use them.

Do You Need a Grape Trellis?

If you grow your own grapes, a grape trellis helps support the vines and improves airflow, which leads to healthier fruit and easier harvesting.

Print Recipe

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Home Canned Concentrated Grape Juice

Learn how to make concentrated grape juice at home using ripe concord grapes. This easy canning method creates a rich, flavorful juice base you can store, dilute, or use for jelly. Perfect for preserving your grape harvest with deep, classic grape flavor.

Course: Canning

Cuisine: American

Author: Regina Sober

Equipment

• Canning jars, bands and seals
• Water Bath Canner
• Kitchen Aid Mixer
• Food Mill
• Mesh Strainer
• Vegetable Strainer
• Dissolvable Labels

Ingredients

• clean washed concord grapes (stems and twigs removed
• sugar (1/4 – 1/2 cup per pint/quart jar – optional)
• water

Instructions

• You will want to take your cleaned grapes and run them through your food mill or food press  or another mixer with a strainer.
• Grind the grapes up, separating from the seeds and extracting the juice into a large bowl.
• If you are using the electric strainer, you will want to run at a slow speed.  The seeds can bind up. You will also want to clean out the strainer after running through about 2 cups or it will stop working.
• Once the grapes have been run through, you can run the juice through the mesh strainer.  Depending on how much pulp you want in your juice.
• Take the juice and heat it to 190 degrees F for 10 minutes. Remove from heat once this is done.
• You can allow to cool over night for the sediment to settle, or continue canning.
• Take the sterilized jars and add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup sugar (if desired) to each jar.
• Add grape juice into each jar, leaving 1" head space (straining again if desired).
• Place a sterilized seal and hand tighten band on each jar.
• Place hot jars into hot water bath canner, with 1 inch of water over the jars.
• Process for 15 minutes for pints or quarts.
• Allow jars to sit 5 minutes before removing from water bath. If you don't the juice could boil out of the jar.
• Remove the jars from the heat and allow to cool for 12 hours (we put towels around them to have the cool slowly)
• Write the date and that it's concentrated grape juice on the label or seal. Check to make sure lids sealed.

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