Homemade Canned Whole Tomatoes

4.75 from 4 votes

Learn how to make your own Canned Whole Tomatoes! It's a super easy way to can those fresh garden tomatoes to enjoy them all year long!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15

Processing Time 1 25

Total Time 1 40

Servings 25 oz Jar

Calories 170kcal

Author Tracy

Equipment

Ingredients

2 lbs Roma tomatoes about 10-12, see notes
2 tablespoons Lemon Juice Concentrate, (or 1/4 tsp citric acid), divided Do not use fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions

If Canning: Prep your canning jars by giving it (them if you're increasing the volume of the recipe) and the lids a water bath for at least 10 minute to sterilize them. Set aside to dry.
Wash tomatoes. In another large pot, add tomatoes to water and bring to a boil. Let boil for 30 - 60 seconds until you see the skins of the tomatoes split.
Fill a large bowl with ice, and add tomatoes to cool. Gently remove skins with your hands and discard skins.
With a small pairing knife, remove core from top of tomatoes.
If Not Canning: Add tomatoes to a large mason jar or other air tight container. Squeeze the tomatoes a bit as you put in container to release some of the liquid. Store in fridge for up to 5-7 days.
If Canning: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and salt to jars and then add tomatoes a couple at a time. With you hand, gently press down on tomatoes to release some of the juice and air bubbles.
Prep water bath for canning.
Fill jars with tomatoes, leaving at least 1/2 to 3/4 inch space from top of tomatoes to bottom of the lid.
Add to water bath and process for 85 minutes.
Seal jars and let sit for at least 24 hrs and then check to ensure the lids are sealed.

Notes

2 lbs of tomatoes = 12 oz jars or 24 oz. Measure just under the 2 lb mark rather than just over as 2 lbs exactly will fill the jars. If making to use immediately, or within the next 5-7 days you can store in any airtight container.

You can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice concentrate.

Be sure to use lemon juice concentrate and not fresh lemon juice as fresh lemon juice will have varying citric acid levels.

Be sure to follow safe canning instructions by referring to this chart for recommendations based on your altitude.

You can also make canned diced tomatoes, see instructions above in post.

Nutrition