Have you ever wondered how to can crushed tomatoes at home? Does it seem like a daunting task that takes more time than you’d like to spend? It doesn’t have to be that way! Read below to learn how to can crushed tomatoes at home in no time at all!
As a little girl, I would sit for hours watching my Gram can crushed tomatoes. It was an enduring process that seemed to take FOREVER!
Especially for a little girl waiting desperately to go in the swimming pool.
But, the homemade pizza and spaghetti sauce that she made with those canned tomatoes was always well worth the wait.
God, how I miss those days!
Today, I continue the tradition and can crushed tomatoes myself, but I do it a little differently than Gram did.
I’m all for keeping up the traditions and passing them down, but if I can figure out an easier way to do it, I’ll take it every time!
Crushed Tomatoes Galore!
In the past, I’ve bought the tomatoes from the farmers market or grocery. But, this year, I have SO.MANY.TOMATOES. from my own garden!
In fact, I’m up to 6 pints and 14 quarts of crushed tomatoes along with 8 half-pints of Homemade Ro-Tel with still more to do!
Between the tomatoes and the millions of jars of pickles and relish, I’m running out of room in my cabinets and pantry and I’m trying to figure out where the heck I’m going to put them all.
It’s more than I’ve ever done in the past and while I’m exhausted and sick of canning, I know it’s going to be so worth it when winter comes and I don’t want to go grocery shopping!
What to do with all the crushed tomatoes…
We use these tomatoes for hamburger soup, calzones, spaghetti sauce, (for use on spaghetti, Baked Ziti, Lasagna) pizza sauce, macaroni and tomatoes and so much more!
Anything you would use a store-bought can of tomatoes for – just replace it with your home-canned crushed tomatoes!
Homemade makes everything better!
I promise, you’re going to love that fresh taste so much, you’ll never want to buy a can of crushed tomatoes again!
So, if you’re like me and prefer the taste of home-canned tomatoes, but want an easier way, then you have to try this method…it’s so simple and it doesn’t take half the time that our grandmothers’ spent in the kitchen!
Before you get started: Be sure to read instructions here for safe canning methods and find your appropriate canning time in the table shown here.
Here’s the recipe…
Supplies You’ll Need:
- 4 Quart jars or 8 pint jars with lids, approximately
- Food processor or blender
- Large stockpot
- Ladle
- Water Bath Canner and Rack
- Canning tools (funnel, jar lifter)
How to Can Crushed Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 20 to 30 tomatoes, washed and cored
- 4 tbsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare and sterilize 4 quart jars and lids.
- Place washed and cored tomatoes into a food processor or blender. Pulse 8 or 10 times to crush the tomatoes or keep pulsing until the tomatoes are the consistency you like.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes into a large stockpot and heat on medium-high temperature until boiling.
- Turn the temperature down to medium-low and continue cooking for 45 to 60 minutes or until the tomatoes have reduced by half. Stir occasionally.
- Use a ladle to scoop the crushed tomatoes into the clean jars.
- Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to the top of the tomatoes in each jar. Do not stir.
- Place clean lids and screw tops onto the jars.
- Process in a hot water bath for 45 minutes. Remove the jars from the water and allow them to sit, covered with a towel, overnight.
- Label and store jars of crushed tomatoes for up to 1 year in a cool, dark cabinet.
Enjoy!
Have an Awesome Day!
~Vanessa
Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.
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