Canning Tomatoes Recipes: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Preserving Your Harvest

Canning your own tomatoes isn’t just about preserving food—it’s about capturing the essence of your garden’s bounty, saving money, and ensuring you know exactly what’s in your pantry.

Garden tomatoes or scored a fantastic deal at the farmers market, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about safely canning tomatoes at home. We’ll cover three essential recipes—whole canned tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and herb-infused tomatoes—along with critical safety information, equipment lists, and troubleshooting tips. Jump to Recipes

Canning Tomatoes 101: Safety, Science & Essential Tools

Before we dive into recipes, let’s talk about the science behind safe canning. Understanding these fundamentals isn’t just academic—it’s essential for protecting your family from foodborne illness.

Why Acidification is Non-Negotiable

⚠️ Critical Safety Information: Tomatoes sit right on the borderline between high-acid and low-acid foods. Without added acid, they can support the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism—a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. This is why every tested canning recipe requires added lemon juice or citric acid.

Modern tomato varieties, especially heirlooms and low-acid types, have a pH level that can range from 4.3 to 4.9. For safe water bath canning, we need to ensure the pH stays below 4.6. Here’s how to acidify your tomatoes:

Jar Size	Bottled Lemon Juice	Citric Acid
Pint (16 oz)	1 tablespoon	¼ teaspoon
Quart (32 oz)	2 tablespoons	½ teaspoon

Why Bottled Lemon Juice? Fresh lemon juice can vary in acidity depending on the variety and ripeness. Bottled lemon juice has a standardized pH level, making it the safer choice for canning. If you prefer the taste of citric acid (it’s less tart), you can find it in the canning section of most grocery stores.

Water Bath vs. Pressure Canning for Tomatoes

You might wonder if you need a pressure canner for tomatoes. The good news: as long as you properly acidify your tomatoes, water bath canning is completely safe and sufficient.

Water bath canning heats jars in boiling water (212°F/100°C) for a specific time. This temperature is hot enough to kill harmful organisms in high-acid foods (pH below 4.6).

Pressure canning achieves higher temperatures (240-250°F/116-121°C) and is required for low-acid foods like vegetables, meats, and beans. While you can pressure can tomatoes if you prefer, it’s not necessary and won’t improve quality or shelf life.

Your Complete Canning Equipment Checklist

Good news for beginners: you probably already have most of what you need in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Mason Jars
Ball or Kerr brand, pint or quart size. Check for chips or cracks.

New Lids & Bands
Use new lids each time; bands can be reused if not rusty or damaged.

Water Bath Canner or Large Pot
Deep enough to cover jars by 1-2 inches with a rack on the bottom.

Jar Lifter
Essential for safely removing hot jars from boiling water.

Canning Funnel
Wide-mouth funnel prevents spills and keeps jar rims clean.

Bubble Remover Tool
Plastic or wooden tool to release air bubbles (a chopstick works too).

Large Pot for Blanching
For boiling water to peel tomatoes.

Ladle & Potato Masher
For filling jars and crushing tomatoes.

Choosing & Preparing Your Tomatoes

Best Tomatoes for Canning: Roma, San Marzano & More

Not all tomatoes are created equal when it comes to canning. You want varieties that are meaty, flavorful, and have fewer seeds and less water content.

Top choices for canning:

• Roma (Plum) Tomatoes: The classic canning tomato. Thick-walled, meaty, and relatively low in moisture. Widely available and affordable.
• San Marzano: An Italian heirloom prized for its sweet flavor and low acidity. Makes exceptional canned tomatoes but can be pricier.
• Amish Paste: Large paste tomato with excellent flavor and few seeds. Great for sauce-making too.
• Other Paste Varieties: Opalka, Viva Italia, and Big Mama all work beautifully.

Can you can slicing tomatoes? Absolutely! Beefsteak, Better Boy, and other slicing varieties work fine—they’ll just be juicier and may not pack as tightly in jars.

How many pounds do you need? On average, you’ll need about 2½ to 3 pounds of fresh tomatoes per quart jar (1¼ to 1½ pounds per pint). A 25-pound box of tomatoes yields approximately 8-9 quart jars.

Step-by-Step: How to Blanch and Peel Tomatoes

Peeling tomatoes might seem tedious, but blanching makes it surprisingly easy. Here’s the foolproof method:

1. Score the tomatoes: Use a sharp knife to cut a shallow “X” on the bottom of each tomato.
2. Prepare your water: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Have a large bowl of ice water ready nearby.
3. Blanch: Drop 4-6 tomatoes into boiling water. Leave for 30-60 seconds until you see the skin start to wrinkle and pull back at the “X.”
4. Ice bath: Immediately transfer tomatoes to the ice water using a slotted spoon.
5. Peel: Once cool enough to handle (about 1 minute), the skins should slip right off. Start at the “X.”
6. Core and prepare: Cut out the core and any blemishes. Cut into halves or quarters as desired.

Can you skip peeling? For crushed tomatoes, yes! The skins will soften during processing and blend into the texture. Some canners even leave skins on whole tomatoes if they’ll be used in soups where texture matters less. However, skins can become tough and may separate from the flesh, so peeling is generally preferred for the best quality.

3 Classic Canning Tomatoes Recipes

These three recipes cover the most versatile styles of home-canned tomatoes. Choose based on how you plan to use them later—whole or quartered for dishes where you want distinct tomato pieces, crushed for sauces and soups, or herb-infused for extra flavor.

Recipe 1: Simple Whole or Quartered Canned Tomatoes

This is the most versatile style of canned tomatoes. Use them in any recipe that calls for canned tomatoes, from spaghetti sauce to chili to curry.

Ingredients (per quart jar):

• 2½-3 pounds fresh tomatoes (Roma or paste varieties recommended)
• 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice (or ½ teaspoon citric acid)
• 1 teaspoon canning salt (optional, for flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prepare your jars: Wash jars, lids, and bands in hot soapy water. Keep jars hot (in a 200°F oven or hot water) until ready to fill. Prepare lids according to manufacturer directions.
2. Prepare your canner: Fill your water bath canner or large pot with water and bring to a simmer. Place the rack inside.
3. Blanch and peel tomatoes: Following the blanching instructions above, peel all tomatoes. Quarter or halve them, removing cores.
4. Heat tomatoes: Place prepared tomatoes in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to prevent burning. Boil gently for 5 minutes.
5. Fill jars: Add lemon juice (or citric acid) and salt to each hot jar first. Using a ladle and canning funnel, fill jars with hot tomatoes, leaving ½ inch of headspace at the top.
6. Remove air bubbles: Slide a bubble remover tool or chopstick around the inside edge of each jar to release trapped air.
7. Wipe and seal: Wipe jar rims with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal. Center a lid on each jar and screw on a band until fingertip-tight (don’t overtighten).
8. Process in water bath: Place jars in the canner, ensuring water covers them by 1-2 inches. Bring to a rolling boil. Process pints for 40 minutes, quarts for 45 minutes (adjust for altitude—see table below).
9. Cool and store: Carefully remove jars and place on a towel. Don’t disturb for 12-24 hours. You should hear the satisfying “pop” of lids sealing. Check seals by pressing the center—if it doesn’t flex, it’s sealed. Remove bands, label with contents and date, and store in a cool, dark place.

Yield: About 1 quart or 2 pints per 2½-3 pounds tomatoes

Recipe 2: Easy Crushed Canned Tomatoes

Crushed tomatoes are perfect for making quick sauces, pizza sauce, or adding to soups. This recipe skips the peeling step!

Ingredients (per quart jar):

• 2½-3 pounds fresh tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice (or ½ teaspoon citric acid)
• 1 teaspoon canning salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare equipment: Prepare jars, lids, and canner as in Recipe 1.
2. Prepare tomatoes: Wash tomatoes thoroughly. Core and cut into quarters. You can leave skins on—they’ll soften during processing.
3. Start crushing: Place about ¼ of your tomatoes in a large pot. Crush them thoroughly with a potato masher or the bottom of a sturdy glass to create juice.
4. Heat and continue: Bring crushed tomatoes to a boil over medium-high heat. Gradually add remaining tomato quarters, crushing as you go and maintaining a boil. Continue until all tomatoes are added and crushed, stirring to prevent sticking.
5. Boil: Once all tomatoes are crushed and mixture is boiling, continue boiling for 5 minutes.
6. Fill and process: Add lemon juice and salt to hot jars. Ladle in hot crushed tomatoes, leaving ½ inch headspace. Remove bubbles, wipe rims, apply lids and bands.
7. Process: Process in boiling water bath for 35 minutes for pints or 45 minutes for quarts (adjust for altitude).
8. Cool and check seals: Follow cooling and seal-checking procedures from Recipe 1.

Recipe 3: Flavorful Canned Tomatoes with Herbs (Basil & Oregano)

Add a Mediterranean flair to your canned tomatoes with fresh herbs. These are wonderful for Italian dishes and add extra depth to sauces.

Ingredients (per quart jar):

• 2½-3 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice (or ½ teaspoon citric acid)
• 1 teaspoon canning salt (optional)
• 2-3 fresh basil leaves
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 fresh oregano sprig)

Instructions:

1. Follow the same preparation and processing steps as Recipe 1.
2. After adding lemon juice and salt to each jar, add the fresh basil leaves and oregano.
3. Pack with hot tomatoes and process as directed in Recipe 1.

⚠️ Herb Safety Note: Only add herbs in the quantities specified. Do not add fresh garlic, onions, or additional herbs beyond what’s listed. These ingredients can affect acidity and safety. If you want garlic and onion flavor, add them when you cook with your canned tomatoes, not during the canning process.

Altitude Adjustments for Processing Times

If you live above 1,000 feet elevation, you must adjust your processing time to ensure safe canning. Higher altitudes require longer processing times because water boils at a lower temperature.

Altitude	Additional Processing Time
0 – 1,000 feet	No adjustment needed
1,001 – 3,000 feet	Add 5 minutes
3,001 – 6,000 feet	Add 10 minutes
Above 6,000 feet	Add 15 minutes

After Canning: Storage, Usage & Troubleshooting

Proper Storage and Shelf Life

Once your jars have cooled and you’ve confirmed the seals, remove the metal bands (this prevents rust and allows you to detect seal failure). Wipe down jars and label them with the contents and date.

Storage conditions:

• Store in a cool (50-70°F/10-21°C), dark, dry place
• Avoid temperature fluctuations
• Keep away from direct sunlight, which can fade color and affect flavor
• Avoid storing near heat sources like furnaces or water heaters

Shelf life: Properly canned and stored tomatoes maintain best quality for 12-18 months. They’re generally safe to eat beyond that (if seals remain intact), but quality, color, and flavor will decline over time.

How to Use Your Home-Canned Tomatoes

Home-canned tomatoes are incredibly versatile. Here are just a few ways to use them throughout the year:

• Quick marinara sauce: Drain canned tomatoes, simmer with garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil
• Chili and stews: Add directly to your pot for rich tomato flavor
• Soups: Use as a base for tomato soup, minestrone, or vegetable soup
• Shakshuka: Simmer with spices and crack eggs into the sauce
• Pizza sauce: Blend crushed tomatoes with Italian seasonings
• Curry and braised dishes: Add acidity and depth to any braised meat or vegetable dish

Common Canning Problems & Solutions

Problem	Likely Cause	Solution/Prevention
Jar didn’t seal	Rim not clean, damaged jar/lid, or under-processed	Refrigerate and use within a week, or reprocess with new lid within 24 hours
Liquid siphoning out of jar	Overfilling, food not hot enough, or pressure fluctuation during cooling	As long as seal is good, product is safe. Reduce headspace next time.
Cloudy liquid	Tomato breakdown (normal), spoilage (rare), or hard water minerals	If sealed properly and no off odor, usually safe. Use filtered water next time.
Floating tomatoes	Tomatoes less dense than liquid, or trapped air	Pack more tightly, press gently while filling, remove air bubbles carefully. Doesn’t affect safety.
Tomato skins separating	Normal during processing	Purely aesthetic. Remove skins when opening jar if desired.
Discoloration on top	Oxidation from trapped air or enzyme activity	Usually cosmetic if no seal failure. Ensure adequate headspace and remove all air bubbles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I can tomatoes without peeling them?

Yes, especially for crushed tomatoes. The skins will soften during processing. However, skins can become tough or separate from the flesh, so most canners prefer to peel for better texture and appearance. If you’re making sauce where you’ll blend everything anyway, leaving skins on is perfectly fine.

Is it safe to add garlic or onions to my canned tomatoes?

This is critical: Do NOT add fresh garlic or onions to tomatoes during canning. These low-acid ingredients can raise the pH of your product into the danger zone and aren’t safe for water bath canning. Garlic also carries a risk of botulism. Always add garlic, onions, peppers, and other vegetables when you cook with your canned tomatoes, not during the canning process itself. If you want to create a seasoned tomato sauce with these ingredients, you must use a pressure canner and follow a tested recipe from a reputable source like the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

How do I know if my canned tomatoes have gone bad?

Signs of spoilage include:

• Bulging or unsealed lid
• Spurting liquid when opened
• Mold on the surface or underside of lid
• Off odor (sour, fermented, or unpleasant smell)
• Unusual foaming or bubbles when opened
• Unnatural color changes (though some darkening on top is normal)

When in doubt, throw it out. Never taste suspicious canned goods. Botulism toxin can be present without visible signs.

Can I double or triple these recipes?

Absolutely! You can prepare as many tomatoes as you have time and energy for. Just remember that processing times remain the same—don’t try to process more jars at once than your canner can safely accommodate (jars should not touch each other or the sides of the pot). You may need to work in batches.

What’s the difference between canning salt and regular table salt?

Canning salt (also called pickling salt or preserving salt) is pure granulated salt without additives. Regular table salt often contains anti-caking agents that can make your canning liquid cloudy, and iodine which can darken pickled vegetables. While these additives don’t affect safety, canning salt gives you the clearest, most attractive results. However, if you don’t have canning salt on hand, you can use kosher salt or even table salt—just expect some cloudiness. Or skip the salt entirely; it’s only for flavor, not preservation.

Do I need to sterilize my jars?

For recipes processed for 10 minutes or longer (which includes all tomato canning), sterilization isn’t necessary. Simply wash jars in hot, soapy water (or run through the dishwasher) and keep them hot until filling. The processing time will sterilize the jars. However, lids and bands should be prepared according to manufacturer directions—many newer lids no longer require simmering.

Why did my tomatoes separate into layers?

This is a completely natural occurrence called “separation” or “stratification.” The heavier solids settle to the bottom while lighter juice rises to the top. This is especially common with paste tomatoes or if tomatoes weren’t heated sufficiently before packing. It doesn’t affect safety or flavor—just shake or stir before using. To minimize separation, ensure tomatoes are boiling hot when packed, and pack them tightly.

Final Thoughts: Preserving Summer’s Bounty

Canning tomatoes is one of the most rewarding preservation projects you can undertake. With a few hours of work during peak tomato season, you’ll have pantry shelves lined with jars of summer sunshine, ready to brighten up winter meals with garden-fresh flavor.

Remember, food safety is paramount. Always follow tested recipes, measure your acid additions carefully, and process for the full recommended time. Once you master these three basic recipes, you’ll have a foundation of preservation skills that can expand to other fruits and vegetables.

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