When you think of delicious home cooking, there’s probably a tomato in there, right? Whether that’s spaghetti, pizza, stew, soup, or even salads, tomatoes always seem to make an appearance – and frankly, make the dish better.

As tomatoes are used so frequently in dishes, the idea of canning them to ensure their longevity and freshness seemed like a no brainer. Canning is the perfect solution for individuals looking to keep their favorite foods on hand and save a bit of money, but what is the actual canning process like? And how can it work for the everyday person?

Join us as we take a deep-dive into canning tomatoes and why, for decades, this cuisine technique continues to be a favored practice from generation to generation.

Why Choose Tomato Canning?

With a plethora of grocery and convenience stores around, you might be asking, “why even choose tomato canning?” And to that, we say because it’s more than a way to store food, it’s really can be a lifestyle for people.

Tomato canning balances both biology and chemistry in order to ensure that the level of acidity and freshness is properly preserved. But, along with the technique and the science behind the practice, it also is just a fun activity. Canning is by no means a new practice and learning this beloved, historic skill can be a great way to learn about new cultures and histories.

The Benefits of Canning Tomatoes

There are numerous benefits to canning tomatoes – a few you might even be surprised to know. Here are our five favorite benefits of canning tomatoes.

Convenience & Accessibility

Having canned food – whether you’ve canned it yourself or bought it from the shelf is the perfect way to grab-and-go. There’s no preparation needed. Simply grab the can, open it, and create your meal. Canned foods are perfect for busy individuals or families that need quick nutrition, fast.

Cost Savings

Canning food is also a great way to save money as you’re not continually purchasing new, fresh produce that can often go bad before you even use it. With canned food, you’re preserving the produce, ensuring it lasts for longer and thus doesn’t need to be tossed after three days.

Longer Shelf Life

Canned food can sit on the shelf longer than fresh produce. If you have a busy work schedule, a rambunctious family, or often just don’t have time to cook, having canned food like canned tomatoes is the perfect way to use the food you already have and not worry that it will be moldy or dried out.

Nutritional Value

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, A, and potassium, as well as fiber. Canning and preserving these benefits – and flavors - are a much better option than choosing the overly processed food options.

Preserving Flavors

Canning gives you the option to truly make a meal in a jar. From spaghetti sauce and tomato jam, to salsa and soup, you can preserve the flavor of a variety of recipes and keep them on your shelf for whenever the craving hits!

The Tomato Canning Process Explained

As we mentioned before, the tomato canning process is one that balances biology and chemistry and will require a bit of planning and preparation. Don’t worry, we’ve put together a convenient guide for you to review when you are ready to can your next batch of delicious tomatoes!

Selecting the Right Tomatoes

First, what you’re going to want to do is select the right tomatoes. While you can use pretty much any type of tomato, it’s vital you choose ones that are disease-free and firm. We also recommend avoiding green tomatoes as these tend to be more acidic than their red cousins and can change the Ph level of the preserves.

Preparing the Tomatoes

To prepare your tomatoes, keep it simple. Wash and remove any stems from the produce, as well as do a quick once over to make sure there are no bruises or marks. Once this is complete, you’ll want to remove the peel. This can be done by setting the tomatoes in boiling water for around 40 seconds (or until the skin splits) and then putting them in cold water. The skins should slip off easily once this process is complete.

Canning the Tomatoes

Finally, you’ve reached the canning stage. To keep it simple, we always recommend purchasing a commercially produced seasoning packet intended for canning. You can also use salt to add a bit more flavor to your tomatoes, however, it isn’t actually necessary. ½ teaspoon to a pint of canned tomatoes is the ideal amount, but make sure to not over salt.

Hot Pack vs. Raw Pack: Which Method to Choose

Hot packing is when you initially heat the tomatoes before putting them in the jar, whereas with raw packing, you don’t.

While raw packing will save you time as you’re skipping the boiling step, we always recommend hot packing as it aids in longer shelf life and prevents the solid/liquid separation that can sometimes occur from raw packing.

Adding Acid for Safety and Preservation

Whether you choose to raw pack or hot pack, you’ll always have to add some type of acid into your canned tomatoes to prevent the development and germination of C. botulinum spores. We recommend opting for lemon juice or citric acid in this step.

Properly Filling and Sealing the Cans

To ensure that your canned tomatoes are of the highest quality, you’ll want to completely fill the jar and properly seal them. This will guarantee that no external source like dust, debris, moisture, or pests can get into the cans and spoil them.

Processing and Storing the Canned Tomatoes

The final step of the tomato canning process is processing and storage. These steps can vary based on preference, but will need to be completed to again, ensure the quality and longevity of each can of tomatoes.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to properly process and store the canned tomatoes.

Water Bath Canning vs. Pressure Canning

Water bath canning is a fancy term for boiling. Using this method, the hot air will create airtight seals inside the jars, preventing the development and spread of harmful bacteria that can ruin your canned tomatoes.

Pressure canning is a bit different. This method uses physical force to seal the jars, while also using steam to kill off any germs. Both options are sufficient for creating flavorful, delicious canned tomatoes that remain fresh over time.

Ensuring Proper Processing Time and Temperature

Once you’ve chosen your processing method, it’s time to discuss temperature and length of processing time.

For boiling water (water bath canning), we recommend 40-minutes per pint and 45-minutes per quart. Pressure cooking methods will require less time – around 15 to 20 minutes for pints and quarts.

Storing Canned Tomatoes for Long-Term Preservation

To keep your canned tomatoes as delicious as the day you canned them, they’ll need to be stored in a cool, dry place. The best part? You can keep unopened cans for up to 2 to 5 years!

Choose Red Gold Canned Tomatoes

When you’re looking for fresh, flavorful canned tomatoes that pair beautifully with every recipe, every time, there’s no other brand that does it quite like Red Gold. From the beginning, we’ve set out to deliver premium canned tomatoes that are apart of recipes passed down through the generations.

As a ChefsBest® Excellent Award winner, we know a thing or two about premium canned tomatoes and are here to be a part of your next amazing recipe.

To learn more about our Red Gold canned tomatoes or to find your next dinner recipe, check out our dedicated tomato canning page today and get inspired!