The Best Canning Tomatoes
Water bath canning is a fantastic way to preserve your summer tomato harvest. To get started, select the best tomato varieties and prepare with the right tools and techniques. Choosing the correct tomatoes for canning is critical for achieving delicious results.
Paste tomatoes are ideal for canning because of their firm, meaty texture and low water content. Juicy slicing tomatoes or cherry tomatoes may result in watery, mushy canned products. Acidic tomatoes with a pH below 4.6 are safest for canning, and additional acid (citric acid, lemon juice, or vinegar) should be added for safety. Popular varieties for canning include:
Putting Up the Harvest
Preserving your harvest with canned tomato products allows you to enjoy the taste of summer all year long. Depending on your family’s preferences, you can create a variety of tomato-based products, including:
Whole, Halved, Quartered, or Crushed Tomatoes
These can be canned in water or tomato juice, peeled or unpeeled. Firm tomatoes work best for this method.
Tomato Juice
Puree tomatoes or create a veggie-tomato blend with celery, onions, carrots, and peppers. Tomato juice is perfect for drinking or cooking.
Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is made by simmering pureed tomatoes to thicken. Add herbs and spices to create a ready-to-use marinara sauce for pasta dishes.
Salsa, Ketchup, and Other Sauces
Tomato-based condiments like salsa and ketchup can be canned for year-round use. Follow recipes carefully to ensure safety during canning.
Additional Resources
For more canning tips, recipes, and safety information, visit the University of Nebraska-Lincoln website. Check out helpful books like Preserving Food at Home or Canning for a New Generation.
Explore our organic tomato seeds for sale and our Growing Guide to learn how to grow tomatoes successfully.
Preserve your summer harvest and enjoy fresh, homemade tomato products all year long!
