Preserves Jars in Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide

Using one's crops to craft artisan goods is one of the most effective ways to generate income in Stardew Valley. While large-scale operations for producing Jelly and Wine typically emerge at higher levels, Preserves Jars become available early in the game—offering low-level players a valuable opportunity to boost profits from fruits, vegetables, and even foraged items.

Preserves Jars open up multiple avenues for resourceful farming. They not only enhance the value of produce but also play a crucial role in maximizing returns from Fish Ponds. With the 1.6 update, many new foraged items can now be pickled, adding even more versatility to this essential crafting station. Here’s everything you need to know about using Preserves Jars effectively.

Updated January 11, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update introduced exciting new uses for Preserves Jars, allowing many previously unpreserved foraged items—like the humble Dandelion and rare Purple Mushroom—to be pickled for increased profit. This guide has been updated to reflect these changes, ensuring that both casual foragers and serious crafters can make the most of their Preserves Jar.

Where To Get Preserves Jars In Stardew Valley

The recipe for the Preserves Jar is unlocked at Farming Level 4 and requires the following materials:

• 50 Wood
• 40 Stone
• 8 Coal

These resources are relatively easy to gather: Wood comes from chopping trees, Stone from breaking rocks with a Pickaxe, and Coal primarily from defeating Dust Sprites in the Mines. Due to the accessible ingredients, Preserves Jars are an excellent early investment for players aiming to build a profitable artisan goods setup.

In addition to crafting, players can obtain a Preserves Jar by completing the Quality Crops Bundle (or Rare Crops Bundle if remixed) in the Community Center. It may also appear as a prize from the Prize Machine located in Mayor Lewis’ house.

What Are Preserves Jars Used For In Stardew Valley?

Preserves Jars allow players to transform various raw items into high-value artisan goods. If you choose the Artisan profession at Farming Level 10, each product’s sell price increases by 40%, significantly improving profitability.

Item	Product	Sell Price	Health/Energy	Processing Time
Fruit	Jelly	2x (base fruit value) + 50g	Edible: 2x health & energy / Inedible (e.g., Coconut): 0.5x health, 0.225x energy	2–3 in-game days
Vegetable, Mushroom, or Forage	Pickles	2x (base item value) + 50g	Edible: 1.75x health & energy / Inedible (e.g., Pumpkin): 0.625x energy, 0.28125x health	2–3 in-game days
Sturgeon Roe	Caviar	500g	175 Energy / 78 Health	4 in-game days
Any Other Fish Roe	Aged Roe	60g + (base fish price)	100 Energy / 45 Health	2–3 in-game days

Only edible Mushrooms and Forage items (such as Chanterelle or Winter Root) can be pickled. Poisonous items like Red Mushrooms or Holly cannot be used, as they subtract energy when eaten.

It’s important to note that the base value of the item determines the final product’s price—quality does not affect the calculation. Therefore, it’s best to use lower-quality fruits and vegetables in Preserves Jars to maximize profit gains.

Preserves Jars vs Kegs

While both Preserves Jars and Kegs are used to create artisan goods, each has its own advantages depending on the type of crop used.

Preserves Jars are generally more profitable when working with fruits under 50g in base value and vegetables or foraged items under 160g. They also process goods faster than Kegs, making them ideal for quick-turnaround production. High-yield, low-cost crops like Eggplants, wild berries, Corn, and Tomatoes are perfect candidates for pickling.

Moreover, Preserves Jars are the only way to turn Fish Roe into valuable products, making them essential for Fish Pond setups. Mushrooms, which cannot be placed in Kegs, must be processed using either a Preserves Jar or a Dehydrator, with the former often offering better returns.

For players looking to optimize their farm's income stream, mastering the use of Preserves Jars is a smart move—especially with the expanded options introduced in version 1.6.