Just imagine a cold, snowy winter day with a pot of homemade vegetable soup rich with tomatoes cooking on the stove. That soup will be even more delicious when you use Home Canned Tomatoes in it! So grab a canner and some jars and use the abundant summer produce to make your own. You’ll love having them when cold weather comes around.
What do you do when your carefully tended and nurtured garden rewards you with the gift of beautifully ripe summer tomatoes? Why, you get out your canner and jars and go to work.
Canning is a simple but exacting process that is easily mastered. And opening a jar of Home Canned Tomatoes in the middle of winter is like opening a ray of summer sunshine.
I’m sure it’s strange, but excessive amounts of gorgeous summer produce get me so excited. I immediately start making plans about how to preserve it and what to do with it later on.
If I have peaches, they usually wind up as preserves, with some frozen for use in cobblers later in the year. Same with berries and other fruits. Peas and butterbeans are always blanched, packaged, and frozen.
But when I have an abundance of tomatoes, I almost always can them. I just think canning tomatoes is the best way to capture that fresh summer taste. Plus, they look so nice on my pantry shelves. And I love using them in stewed okra and tomatoes, tilapia veracruz, tomato gravy, and beef stew!
If you’ve never tried canning tomatoes, here’s my guide to help you through the process. This recipe follows all tested, safe guidelines from the USDA and the National Center for Food Preservation.
— This post was originally published on July 26, 2012. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Stovetop Waterbath Canner
Total Time: 2 Hours, 25 Minutes
Servings: 28
Primary Ingredient(s): Fresh Whole Tomatoes, Bottled Lemon Juice, Pickling Salt
Skill Level: Intermediate
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …
“Love love love this recipe. Made so simple and easy. This is my 3rd year using it! Great job!!”
— Crystal
Ingredient and Equipment Notes
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- Fresh tomatoes – you can use any variety of tomatoes for canning.
- Pickling salt – this is pure salt with no additives.
- Bottled lemon juice – bottled juice is used because it has a specific pH. Do not use fresh squeezed lemon juice for canning.
You’ll find more information about the ingredients throughout the instructions below.
- Canning jars, lids, and rings.
- A canning pot or kettle.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Review Proper Canning Procedure
If you have never canned before, or if it has been a while since your last time canning, please review the current guidelines. You always want to make sure that you handle canned goods correctly. Improperly canned foods can really be disastrous. I’ve written a post with lots of information about correct canning techniques that you might find helpful.
Prepare the Canning Jars, Lids, and Rings
The first step in any canning session is to prepare the jars, lids, and rings and to start heating the canner full of water. It can take some time for that much water to come to a boil, so plan accordingly.
Wash the jars, lids, and rings in hot soapy water. It’s not necessary, but I like to keep the lids in a pan with barely warm water until needed. Put the clean jars in the canner rack and let them come up to the boil along with the water in the canner.
👉 PRO TIP: The initial investment in jars, rings, and lids may seem costly, but remember that the jars and rings can be reused for years. The lids do have to be discarded after one use, but they’re fairly inexpensive.
How to Make Home Canned Tomatoes
Prepare the Tomatoes
Now you can get on with preparing the tomatoes. Wash the tomatoes well, then peel and core them. You can leave the tomatoes whole or cut them into halves or quarters. I did quarters this time.
👉 PRO TIP: The easiest way to peel tomatoes is by scalding them in boiling water. Start by adding some ice and water to a large bowl. Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add a few tomatoes to the boiling water and leave them for about 15 seconds. Immediately remove the tomatoes and plunge them directly into the ice water. After about 30 seconds, the skins should slip right off.
Fill the Prepared Jars One at a Time
When all the tomatoes are prepped and ready to go, start filling the jars. The method I use for canning tomatoes is the “raw packed in their own juice” method.
The way I proceed is this. Lift the canner rack with the jars in it and hook it over the sides of the water bath canner so that it remains elevated. Remove one hot jar at a time from the rack and drain the water from the jar back into the canner. Place the hot jar on a folded dishtowel.
Add 1 teaspoon of salt and two tablespoons of lemon juice to each jar.
👉 PRO TIP: Just a note about this step, in case you’re interested. Most modern varieties of tomatoes are not acidic enough to be safely canned using the water bath method without added acid. You can use either bottled lemon juice or citric acid (2 tablespoons of lemon juice per quart, or 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid per quart). You can faintly taste the added acid in the finished product, but adding a scant tablespoon of sugar to the recipe in which you use the tomatoes will offset that taste.
Fill the jar half to three-fourths full with tomatoes, and then gently press on the tomatoes to release the juice and fill all the space between the tomatoes. Continue filling and gently pressing until the contents of the jar are within 1/2 inch of the top rim.
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Keep the pH at the Correct Level
All reliable home food preservation sources require the use of bottled lemon juice, such as the ReaLemon brand, instead of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bottled juice is used because its pH is controlled at a specific level, whereas fresh lemon juice may or may not have the necessary pH to maintain the safety of the canned tomatoes. Salt is actually optional for this recipe and is added for taste only. If adding salt, you should use pickling salt, because it’s pure salt without any additives that could cloud the liquid in the jars. Way more than you wanted to know about canning tomatoes, right?
Clean Jar Rims and Apply the Lids
Wipe the top rim of the jar with a wet paper towel. Apply the lid and ring and set the jar back on the elevated rack in the canner. Repeat the process until all jars are filled.
👉 PRO TIP: Remember when applying the ring to only tighten it “finger tight.” In other words, just tighten the ring until you meet resistance. Why? Because air has to be able to escape during the canning process in order to create a seal. Now you know.
Lower the Filled Jars into the Canner
Now carefully lower the rack with all the filled jars into the boiling water in the canner. There must be enough water in the canner to completely cover the tops of the jars by one inch.
Process in Boiling Water
Begin timing when the water in the canner returns to the boil. Process 85 minutes in boiling water for altitudes up to 1,000 ft. See the recipe card below for additional processing times for higher altitudes. Remember, the water in the canner must remain at the boil for the entire processing time.
👉 PRO TIP: I find it helpful to keep a kettle or pot of boiling water going on the stove to top up the water in the canner if needed.
If you live at a higher altitude, you’ll need to adjust your processing time according to the following:
- 1,001 – 3,000 ft, 90 minutes
- 3,001 – 6,000 ft, 95 minutes
- above 6,000 ft, 100 minutes
👉 PRO TIP: You can also can tomatoes in pint jars if you’d like. For pints, use half the amount of ingredients per jar. Processing time is the same.
Don’t Take Shortcuts!
I just have to share this photo with you. I know all you seasoned canners will be able to sympathize with me. In all my years of canning, I had never had a jar break. Until now. I got in a hurry and took a shortcut (I’m not telling what I did) that let my jars cool down too much.
When I put this one in the canner, I heard that distinctive “pop” and immediately knew that it had broken. If this happens to you, don’t even think about trying to save the contents. There are likely to be teensy-tiny shards of glass in there that you’d never find. Just let it go and learn your lesson like I did!
Final Steps and Storage
At the end of the processing time, turn off the heat under the canner and allow the jars to sit in the water for 10 minutes.
Carefully remove the jars from the canner and set them on a folded kitchen towel. Allow the jars to cool completely before moving them (at least overnight). Check to make sure the seals are complete. Store in a dark, cool area.
How to Check For a Complete Seal After Canning
Wait until the jars are completely cool. Remove the ring from the jar. Gently press down on the center of the lid. There should be no movement up or down. Then, very gently pull upward on the outside edges of the flat lid. If the jar is not sealed completely, the lid will come off. Any unsealed jars can be stored in the refrigerator and used within one week.
Why do I have to do the boiling water bath? My grandmother just turned the jars over, and they sealed.
Yes, she probably did. So did mine. What your grandmother did is called the “inversion method” of canning, and it was commonly used by home canners up until about the 1950s. The inversion method often creates a false or incomplete seal that can allow contaminants to enter the jar. Modern boiling water and pressure canning methods create a complete seal that better protects the food from contamination and ourselves from botulism. When we know better, we do better.
How long do home canned tomatoes last?
Home canned tomatoes are at their best quality when used within 18 months, but can be stored for up to two years.
I canned some tomatoes last year. How do I know if they’re still safe to eat?
As with any home canned product, you should inspect the jar before use. Check carefully to make sure the jar is still sealed. When the jar is opened, make sure there’s no off odor or color, no mold, and no bubbling of the contents.
Great Internet Resources for Safe Canning Techniques and Recipes
- National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia)
- Home Food Preservation Site (Pennsylvania State University)
- Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center (https://hgic.clemson.edu/)
Questions About Home Canned Tomatoes
You can use any variety of tomatoes! Anything from beefsteak to Roma to heirloom varieties (even cherry tomatoes, but I wouldn’t bother peeling them). Just make sure to follow the procedures as outlined above.
You do not have to add salt. It’s for taste only.
Store your tomatoes on a sturdy shelf at room temperature. They should not be subjected to large changes in temperature (i.e., don’t store them in an outdoor storage space).
According to food science specialists, “natural compounds in some foods cause a black or brown deposit on the underside of the lid. As long as the jar is still sealed, this deposit does not mean the food is unsafe to eat. However, if a sealed jar does lose the seal and comes open, spoilage is likely and the product should be discarded.” You can read more on the Ball Fresh Preserving web site.
It sounds like the commenter didn’t pack the jars quite as tightly with tomatoes as they should have. During the canning process, the tomatoes themselves cook, shrink, and release their juice. Plus, some tomatoes are juicier than others. That yellow liquid is just fresh tomato juice 😊. As long as the jars are completely sealed, they’ll be fine.
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Recipe
Home Canned Tomatoes
Ingredients
Ingredients for a standard canner load (7 quarts):
- 21 pounds Fresh, whole tomatoes any variety
- 14 tablespoons Bottled lemon juice
- 7 teaspoons Pickling salt
Instructions
- Prepare standard canning jars and lids according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Peel and core tomatoes. Leave whole or cut into halves or quarters.21 pounds Fresh, whole tomatoes
- When all tomatoes are prepared, fill one jar at a time, keeping the other jars hot while you work.
- Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 teaspoon salt to each quart jar14 tablespoons Bottled lemon juice, 7 teaspoons Pickling salt
- Pack tomatoes into jars, pressing gently on tomatoes until the juice fills the spaces between tomatoes. Leave 1/2 inch headspace.
- Remove air bubbles.
- Wipe rims of jars and apply two-piece canning caps.
- Process in a boiling water bath 85 minutes for both quarts and pints.
Notes
- Processing Times for both pints and quarts — 85 minutes up to 1,000 ft altitude. Adjusted processing times for higher altitudes: 1,001 – 3,000 ft, 90 minutes; 3,001 – 6,000 ft, 95 minutes; above 6,000 ft, 100 minutes.
- Jars and rings may be reused multiple times; lids must be discarded after one use.
- Keep a kettle or pot of boiling water on the stove to top up the water in the canner when needed.
- Tomatoes may be canned in pint jars if desired. For pints, use half the amount of ingredients per jar. Processing time is the same.
- To check for a complete seal: Remove the ring from the jar. Gently press down on the center of the lid. There should be no movement up or down. Then very gently pull upward on the outside edges of the lid. If the jar is not sealed completely, the lid will come off. Any unsealed jars can be stored in the refrigerator and used within one week.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
I remember my grandma canning tomatoes and lining her pantry with jars and jars and jars of beautiful food. I’m pinning this for when the kids are a little older because I MUST do this!
I just took a canning class this week to learn about making jam. I am so excited to can veggies too! Great post.
I have always loved how your pantry looks at the end of summer. All of the beautiful jars of lovingly preserved items, with the colors of summer…. it just invites happy times later in the year.
Take care.
Miss P
This is so great – I definitely need to take the time to do this, especially with so much tomato greatness available this time of year. Great post!
Thanks, Cassie! I love opening a jar of summer tomatoes in the middle of winter. Best tomato soup ever!
Oh my goodness Lana–they are gorgeous tomatoes! A farm market near my parents home had boxes of them for cheap the other day, but I wasn’t sure if I was brave enough to try canning them yet. But you’ve once again made it seem so simple–and all of my other attempts at the canning recipes you suggest have turned out beautifully! So excited to try this next week!
oh Lana, I do hope it was only one quart – was a shame… I have a hankering to put up some salsa this year, I skipped last year and sure did miss it… ‘
nothing better than reaching for a jar of homemade…. right now, I’m in okra and cuke time – hoping to gather enough from my little garden to put up a few jars…. have a great weekend
Just the one jar, thank goodness! In all the years I’ve been canning that was my first broken jar. It just about broke my heart! You just reminded me that I need to make some more salsa, too. It just beats the store bought stuff all the way around!
After reading posts like this I immediately want to go out and start a garden! However, I realize that it simply isn’t part of my DNA .. which means I need to get busy and find a local gardener to befriend, LOL!! Great info. on canning Lana – it really isn’t all that scary if you understand the procedure!!
Right, Nancy! Just like any kitchen technique, it’s all about educating yourself and practice. Granted, canning is more precise than most kitchen pursuits, but it’s important to follow accepted guidelines to ensure that your finished product is safe for self storage.
What happens if forget to put the salt in a canner full of tomatoe juice.
Thank you for your time.
oh my goodness – just imagine how tasty those will be in the dead of winter. Summer in a jar!
Oh, yes! A couple of years ago we had an ice storm in January – very unusual for Georgia – and what do think I put on the stove? A huge pot of vegetable soup with loads of canned summer tomatoes. It was the perfect thing to enjoy on those cold house-bound days!
Okay, I really need to get over my irrational fear of canning. Before I know it, my garden is going to be bursting with tomatoes and I would love to store some away for winter. Thanks for this post and your previous canning post, Lana.
Dara, I’ve been canning, preserving, and freezing for more than 30 years so it’s just second nature to me, but I do understand your hesitation if you haven’t done it before. The most important thing that I always tell beginning canners is to educate yourself first. I recommend purchasing a copy of the Ball Blue Book and reading through the procedures so that you understand the process. The Blue Book is inexpensive (about $10) and can be purchased online or in most stores where canning supplise are sold. And, I’m always around to answer questions :-)
Ohhh, I’m jealous of your tomatoes. I’ve never canned tomatoes but you sure put the itch in my pants! I have plans to do a jalapeno peach jam next week for Christmas presents but I might have to add some tomatoes to the canning project…now that I know how to do fresh tomatoes!
Oh, Megan, that jalapeno peach jam sounds really wonderful! Will you be posting the recipe? Please, please, pretty please??
Fabulous information!! I hve only frozen my roasted tomatoes, haven’t canned yet. I have several plants outside with fruit on them, but don’t think they’ll make it to the canning stage LOL I have a feeling they’ll be gobbled up fresh! I have definitely saved this though, great explanation. And thanks for the info on the lemon juice too!
I almost never have enough tomatoes to can from my few plants I grow each year. I just happened to be at my mother’s house at the height of tomato season on one of the local truck farms where you can get boxes and boxes full for next to nothing. So, of course, I just had to put these up for the winter!
Oh these are amazing sounding…I need to get on the canning circuit…I’m envious.
I wish my pantry was full of your canned tomatoes! They look magnificent!
I’m so excited to actually attempt this next month. I’m hopefully taking a class on it but figured that I might want to take advantage of the summer produce. I love a good Jersey tomato :)
I hope you enjoy canning as much as I do, Aly. I’ve been canning for at least thirty years and I never get tired of it!
Beautiful tomatoes! I agree with you about opening a jar of those beauties in the middle of the winter–ah, the aroma of summer. After all the work, I love to hear the pops and pings of the jars sealing as they cool.
The very best thing about canning is the pinging of the jar lids, isn’t it? I just love that!
I’m new to all this wonderful canning experience. Quick question: I’m under doctor’s orders to keep salt out of my diet. Is salt absolutely needed when canning? Is there a healthy substitute? Thank you for your input, Lana.
Best,
Grace
Hi Grace. Yes, it is safe to omit the salt when home canning tomatoes. It’s there for taste only.