Preserving tomatoes at the peak of their ripeness ensures having that delicious summer flavor throughout the year. Home canned tomatoes, will allow for year round fresh tomatoes–even in winter!

home canned tomatoes sitting by sunflowers

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I spent about three days in our tiny kitchen canning tomatoes this summer. All to have garden tomatoes for soups, and stews for the coming winter months. There is just nothing like cracking open a jar that was carefully put away during this summer. When I am able to work in the kitchen solo, it can be quite relaxing, especially if I am able to listen to music or a podcast.

Most canning sessions though, have children running in and out of the kitchen needing various things from me. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to get canning done with kids that helped a lot.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE HOME-CANNED TOMATOES

Jar-lifter

This tool lifts jars firmly and securely in and out of hot water. Use two hands and squeeze firmly. In a pinch, you can use kitchen tongs instead, but they are not as secure and safe.

canning tools next to boiling water bath canner

Magnetic Wand Lifter

Trust me on this one, I went years without this handy dandy tool. The magnetic want enables you to drop the lids and rings into the hot water of the canner (no need to heat them in a separate pan) to sterilize and soften them and then easily lift them out from among jars and racks.

Jar Funnel

Much Wider and shorter than other funnels, these come in both wide-mouth and regular-mouth versions. They’re invaluable for preventing spills when filling jars.

Combination Ruler/Spatula

It’s less awkward to use that a regular ruler to measure headspace. The tool is also somewhat flexible with a tapered end, making it the ideal tool for slipping in along the side of filled jars to release air bubbles.

homegrown tomatoes sitting next to big blue pot

Measuring Spoons

Most sets have 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon. Quality metal spoons cost just a bit more and like metal measuring cups better release finely ground foods that might otherwise cling to plastic measuring spoons.

Ladles

The Ladle is helpful when packing the tomatoes into the jar before canning.

Ruler

Use to measure headspace when filling jars or when a recipe specifies produce cut in certain lengths.

Measuring Cups

Use measuring cups for dry goods, such as sugar. (Use glass ones for liquids; they measure differently.) Metal is more durable and finely ground food slides out of it more easily with no static cling. Most come in sets of 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 up, and 1/4 cup.

Kitchen Towels

These have many uses when canning, besides drying wet utensils. Use to wipe rims of jars. Lay a dry towel on the counter to set hot jars on (never directly on the counter, they may crack) or set on a wire rack. And of course, use them to wipe up spills.

tomatoes getting put into jars on counter

Timer

I use the timer on my oven, but in case you want to leave the kitchen set one on your phone or bring some type of portable timer with you to remember what you’ve got processing on the stove.

Hot Pads

One pair is essential, but two is better so that you always have a clean, dry pair (wet hot pads conduct heat, resulting in burns).

Colander

Useful for washing produce and draining juice from sliced or cut up produce. Line it with cheesecloth and set over a bowl to finely strain juices or canned juice or jellies.

Permanent Marker

Use to write labels on the tops of your jars indicating what is inside…trust me you’ll thank yourself later! I like to include the date so I know when to use up the food, as well.

HOME CANNED TOMATOES INGREDIENT LIST

2 1/2 to 3 pounds tomatoes per quart; 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds tomatoes per pint
Bottled lemon juice
Salt

HOW TO MAKE HOME CANNED TOMATOES

Wash and sterilize canning jars. Read how to get started canning for beginners for more on this.
Wash fully ripe, unblemished tomatoes. Keep whole, cut in half, or cut up, as desired.*
Pack tomatoes into hot, sterilized canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
Add 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice per pint or 2 tablespoons per quart.
If desired, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt to each pint or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon to each quart.
Wipe jar rims; adjust lids.
Process pints and quarts in a boiling-water canner for 85 minutes (start timing when water returns to boil). **
Remove jars from canner; cool on wire racks
Let Cool for 24 hours before washing the jars, and labeling

*For Crushed Tomatoes: Cut washed tomatoes into quarters; add enough tomatoes to a large pot to cover bottom. Crush with a wooden spoon. Heat and stir until boiling. Slowly add remaining pieces, stirring constantly. Simmer for 5 minutes. Fill hot sterilized canning jars with tomatoes, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Add lemon juice and salt as above. Wipe jar rims; adjust lids. Process filled jars in a boiling-water canner for 45 minutes for quarts or 35 minutes for pints (start timing when water returns to boil). Remove jars from canner; cool on wire racks.

**The processing time for this recipe is based on conditions at 1,000 feet or less below sea level. When processing at high altitudes adjust processing times.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR MAKING HOME CANNED TOMATOES

ONLY USE BOTTLED LEMON JUICE

I know it is tempting to use the lemons we preserved during the wintertime, or to use fresh lemons picked up at the grocery store; but bottled lemon juice is the safest option for canning tomatoes. Lemons can have different levels of acidity which can affect the consistency of acidity of the tomatoes. To be safe, use only store-bought bottled lemon juice.

pint and quart of tomatoes sitting on counter

USE ONLY HIGH QUALITY TOMATOES.

Tomatoes with blight or other diseases, and those from dead or frost-killed vines may be lower in acidity, and are more likely to carry bacteria. Only use fruit that is unblemished and clean. If you don’t grow a garden there are always other ways to get good quality produce for canning.

USE THE VARIETY OF TOMATO THAT BEST SUITS THE PRODUCT BEING CANNED

Regular tomatoes work well for juice and canned tomatoes.
Italian and plum type varieties are good for making sauce, salsa, catsup, and purees.
The two types can be mixed

AVOID CANNING TOMATOES IN HALF-GALLON JARS.

Half-gallon jars are only suitable for canning apple or grape juice. Use quart or smaller jars for canning all tomato products.

three jars of tomatoes sitting on counter

WAYS TO USE HOME CANNED TOMATOES

So, you have a pantry full of home canned tomatoes…now what? Well I actually prefer to can just tomatoes in the summer and leave all the fancy stuff for later in the year when, I have more time. Having an abundance of basic canned tomatoes can be useful in so many ways here are a few ways I like to use my tomatoes:

Tomato Basil Soup
Minestrone Soup
Beef Stew
Venison Stew
Vegetarian Chili
Homemade Pasta Sauce
Marinara Sauce