1. Begin by ensuring that your canning equipment is clean and in good condition.
2. Select high-quality ground beef with your desired fat content.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through, ensuring that you crumble the meat as it cooks.
4. Once the ground beef is cooked, drain any excess grease.
5. Season the cooked ground beef with salt and pepper, if desired.
6. Carefully pack the cooked ground beef into clean, sterilized canning jars, leaving approximately a 1-inch headspace.
7. Use a utensil to remove any air bubbles and adjust the headspace, if necessary.
8. Wipe the rims of the jars clean, then place sterilized lids and rings on top, tightening them securely.
9. Process the jars in a pressure canner according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the recommended processing times for ground meat.
10. After processing, carefully remove the jars from the canner and allow them to cool to room temperature.
11. Store the canned ground beef in a cool, dark place for future use.