Canning tomato sauce is a fantastic way to preserve the fresh flavors of summer tomatoes, ensuring you have delicious sauce ready to use all year round. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or new to canning, this step-by-step guide will walk you through how to can tomato sauce safely and easily, so you can enjoy your homemade sauce anytime.
Why Can Tomato Sauce?
Canning tomato sauce locks in freshness and flavor, making it convenient for quick meals. It also helps reduce food waste by preserving excess tomatoes from your garden or market. Plus, homemade sauce is free from preservatives and can be customized with your favorite herbs and spices.
What You’ll Need
– Fresh, ripe tomatoes (about 20 pounds for a batch)
– Onion and garlic (optional, for flavor)
– Bottled lemon juice or citric acid (for acidity)
– Salt and herbs (optional)
– Clean canning jars with lids and bands
– Large heavy-bottomed pot
– Boiling water bath canner or large stockpot with a lid
– Food mill or blender
– Jar lifter and funnel
– Clean towels
Step-by-Step Guide to Canning Tomato Sauce
Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
Start by sterilizing your jars. Place clean jars in the boiling water bath canner and simmer them until ready to use. Wash the lids and bands in warm soapy water and set them aside to dry. This step ensures your jars are free from bacteria that could spoil the sauce.
Step 2: Cook the Tomato Sauce
Add your tomatoes, along with chopped onion and garlic if you like, to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally until the sauce reduces by half and thickens slightly. This usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Step 3: Remove Skins and Seeds
After cooking, run the sauce through a food mill to remove tomato skins and seeds, resulting in a smooth sauce. If you don’t have a food mill, you can use a blender and then strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve.
Step 4: Reheat the Sauce
Return the strained sauce to a clean pot and bring it back to a boil. This ensures the sauce is hot enough when you fill the jars, which is important for safe canning.
Step 5: Add Acidity for Safety
To each sterilized jar, add 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice or 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid per pint jar (16 oz), or 2 tablespoons lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon citric acid per quart jar (32 oz). This step is crucial to prevent bacterial growth and ensure safe preservation.
Step 6: Fill the Jars
Using a ladle and funnel, fill each jar with the hot tomato sauce, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Remove any air bubbles by running a spatula around the inside of the jar. Wipe the rim clean with a damp cloth, place the lid on, and screw the band on fingertip tight.
Step 7: Process the Jars
Place the filled jars back into the boiling water bath canner. Make sure the jars are covered by at least one inch of water. Bring the water to a rolling boil and process pint jars for 35 minutes (quart jars may require 40 minutes). After processing, turn off the heat, remove the canner lid, and let the jars sit in the water for 5 more minutes.
Step 8: Cool and Store
Carefully remove the jars using a jar lifter and place them on a towel or cooling rack. Let them cool undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours. Check the seals by pressing the center of each lid; it should not flex up and down. Remove the bands and store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place. Properly canned tomato sauce can last up to 18 months.
Tips for Perfect Canned Tomato Sauce
– Use ripe, firm tomatoes for the best flavor and consistency.
– Avoid adding thickening agents like flour or cornstarch before canning; add them when reheating the sauce later.
– Customize your sauce with herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme, but add them to each jar individually for best results.
– If you prefer, you can use a pressure canner instead of a water bath canner, especially if you want to reduce processing time.
Canning tomato sauce is a rewarding process that lets you enjoy the taste of fresh tomatoes year-round. With a little preparation and care, you can create delicious, homemade sauce that’s perfect for pasta, pizza, and more.
Enjoy your homemade canned tomato sauce!