How To Can Diced Tomatoes

There are several reasons it’s a great idea to can your own tomatoes.

The first reason is this:  BPA’s.  Nearly everyone’s heard of this chemical because of the health risks associated with it.  Sadly it continues to be used in so many of our food products.  In the case of tomatoes, it’s used in the lining of the cans.  Because tomatoes are high in acid, the BPA is more likely to leach out.

So what about cans that advertise BPA-free?  Sure, they’ve removed the BPA but in doing so simply replaced it with another chemical called BPS-Bisphenol S. that comes with many of the same health risks.

The good news:  Food in GLASS jars is SAFE from chemicals.

Another reason is quality and freshness.  You have complete control over which tomatoes you select to go into the jars.  Choose the best and you have a superior product.

Lastly, if you’re able to find a good deal on bulk tomatoes, you can bottle your own for the same or less than what you pay for them in the store AND they’re fresher AND are free from those nasty chemicals.  It’s a win-win!

Let’s get started!

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Using a knife, cut a small “x” in the bottom of each tomato and drop the tomatoes in the boiling water, a few at a time, for 30-60 seconds.  Lift them out with a slotted spoon and put them directly into a bowl of ice water so they can cool quickly.

Once cool enough to handle, peel the tomatoes.  Having blanched the tomatoes, the peels will now slip off easily.  Discard the peels.

Cut out the stem part of the tomato and dice the tomatoes.

Place the diced tomatoes and tomato juices into a large pot and bring it to a boil.  Boil the tomatoes for 5 minutes to release their juices.  Note:  If you’re canning crushed tomatoes the process is the same, simply boil a little longer and use a potato masher to crush the tomatoes.

Have the canning jars ready:  Sterilized and hot.  Place one tablespoon of bottled lemon juice (not fresh) OR 1/4 teaspoon citric acid in each pint jar or two tablespoons lemon juice OR 1/2 teaspoon citric acid in each quart jar.

Pack the hot diced tomatoes and their juices in the hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace from the top of the jar.

Optional, Salt:  Place 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt in each pint jar or 1 teaspoon in each quart jar.

Use a slim utensil like a butter knife to slide down into the jars to remove any air bubbles.  Wipe the rims of each jar and screw on the canning lids/bands.

Place the jars in the boiling water bath canner and process for 35 minutes for pints and 45 minutes for quarts, adjusting for altitude. Remove the jars, being careful not to tilt them.  Let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours then check the seals.

These diced tomatoes will keep in a cool place for at least a year.

How To Can Diced Tomatoes

Kimberly Killebrew, www.daringgourmet.com

There are several reasons why it's a good idea to can your own tomatoes - and the good news is that it's super easy!

Print Recipe

4.82 from 11 votes

Ingredients

  

• Fresh tomatoes figure on roughly 2-3/4 lbs tomatoes per quart jar
• Bottled lemon juice or citric acid: 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice per quart jar or 1 tablespoon per pint jar OR 1/2 teaspoon citric acid per quart jar or 1/4 teaspoon per pint jar
• Salt optional: 1 teaspoon per quart or 1/2 teaspoon per pint jar

Instructions

 

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Using a knife, cut a small "x" in the bottom of each tomato and drop the tomatoes in the boiling water, a few at a time, for 30-60 seconds. Lift them out with a slotted spoon and put them directly into a bowl of ice water so they can cool quickly.
• Once cool enough to handle, peel the tomatoes. Having blanched the tomatoes, the skins will now slip off easily (removing the skins is the standard recommendation because it's the skins that harbor potential bacteria). Discard the skins. Cut out the stem part of the tomato and dice the tomatoes.
• Place the diced tomatoes and tomato juices into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Boil the tomatoes for 5 minutes to release their juices.
• Have the canning jars ready (sterilized and hot). Place one tablespoon of bottled lemon juice (not fresh) OR 1/4 teaspoon citric acid in each pint jar or two tablespoons lemon juice OR 1/2 teaspoon citric acid in each quart jar.
• Pack the hot diced tomatoes and their juices in the hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace from the top of the jar.
• Optional, Salt: Place 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt in each pint jar or 1 teaspoon in each quart jar.
• Use a slim utensil like a butter knife to slide down into the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of each jar and screw on the canning lids/bands.
• Place the jars in the boiling water bath canner and process for 35 minutes for pints and 45 minutes for quarts, adjusting for altitude. Remove the jars, being careful not to tilt them. Let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours then check the seals.
• These diced tomatoes will keep in a cool place for at least a year.

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