Canning Tomato Juice (Beginner Guide for Safe Home Canning)
Homemade Tomato Juice
Canning tomato juice is one of the easiest ways to preserve fresh garden tomatoes for winter cooking. Tomato juice is versatile, simple to make, and a great base for soups, sauces, and everyday recipes. This beginner guide walks you through safe canning practices, acidity requirements, equipment choices, and step‑by‑step instructions so you can confidently can tomato juice at home.
We use regular canning tomatoes and run them through a food mill to remove the skins and seeds. This creates a smooth, bright tomato juice that stores well and tastes better than anything from the store.
If you have more tomatoes to use up, see our other tomato canning recipes for ideas.
What You Need To Know About Acidity
Tomatoes vary in acidity depending on variety and ripeness. To safely water bath can tomato juice, you must acidify each jar (add lemon juice or citric acid). This is the recommendation from the Michigan State University Extension Office.
You can use bottled lemon juice or citric acid. Bottled lemon juice is preferred because the acidity level is consistent.
Acid amounts:
- Pints: 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice or 1/4 teaspoon citric acid
- Quarts: 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon citric acid
Once the jars are acidified, you can water bath can tomato juice. A pressure canner is not required.
Should Tomato Juice Be Pressure Canned
Tomato juice does not need to be pressure canned when properly acidified. The added lemon juice or citric acid raises the acidity to a safe level for water bath canning.
How Much Salt To Add
Salt is optional. If you like salted tomato juice, add 1 teaspoon of salt per quart jar for 1/2 teaspoon per pint. You can also leave it out and salt dishes later.
Can You Use Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are best for eating fresh. They do not produce the same quality juice as canning tomatoes.
Should You Use A Food Mill Or Sieve
A food mill or sieve removes skins and seeds and gives you a smooth tomato juice. A hand‑cranked food mill works well for small batches. An electric food mill is helpful when processing large amounts of tomatoes. Either option works. Choose based on your time, budget, and how many tomatoes you are processing.
How To Thicken Tomato Juice
To thicken tomato juice, simmer it on the stove and reduce it until it reaches your desired consistency. This concentrates the flavor and thickens the juice naturally.
Step By Step: How To Can Tomato Juice
- Prepare the Tomatoes Wash tomatoes and remove stems. Cut into quarters. Place them in a large pot and crush gently with a potato masher as they heat.
- Cook the Tomatoes Simmer until soft and juicy. Stir often to prevent sticking.
- Run Through a Food Mill Process the cooked tomatoes through a food mill to remove skins and seeds. Collect the juice in large bowls.
- Heat the Juice Return the juice to a clean pot and bring it to a gentle boil, 190F for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Jars Wash jars, lids, and rings. Keep jars hot until ready to fill.
- Add Acidity Add bottled lemon juice or citric acid to each jar before filling.
- Fill Jars Ladle hot tomato juice into jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Add salt if desired.
- Remove Air Bubbles Run a clean utensil along the inside of the jar to release trapped air.
- Wipe Rims and Add Lids Wipe rims clean. Add lids and rings.
- Water Bath Process Place jars in a boiling water bath canner. Process pints for 35 minutes and quarts for 40 minutes.
- Cool Jars Turn off heat and let jars sit for 5 minutes before removing. Place jars on a towel to cool slowly.
Canning Tips
- Add salt before processing if you prefer salted juice.
- Always use bottled lemon juice, not fresh.
- Towels around jars help prevent breakage and slow cooling.
- Reuse bowls and pots to keep dishes to a minimum.
- Collect skins and seeds in a small bowl and empty as needed.
- Decide if pints or quarts work best for your recipes.
- Homemade tomato juice avoids the metallic taste of store bought juice.
- Turn the tomato skins into powder to enhance flavor of your dishes.
Canning Tomato Juice (Beginner Safe Method)
Equipment
- Pitcher
Ingredients
- ½ bushel canning tomatoes, washed
- bottle of lemon juice
Instructions
- Wash the tomatoes in cold water. Core and quarter the tomatoes, placing into the enamel pot.
- Once the pot is full, with about 4 or more inches from the top, place on the stove and begin to cook, stirring to keep from burning on the bottom. (you have to be able to stir this!)
- While it is cooking, get the food mill ready to process the crushed tomatoes.
- Once the tomatoes are soft, you can remove from heat and begin to run through the food mill.
- The electric food mill attachment is great for large batches like this. Run the food mill on low speed to keep it from splattering everything. And put towels down before you start! If you have a hand food mill, don't go crazy and make sure the mill and pot are secure and not moving all over the counter.
- While working on the tomatoes, have the water bath canner on the stove heating. Fill a little less than 3/4 full (less if processing quarts).
- Once all the juice has been extracted, wash out the enamel pan and pour the juice back into it.
- Put the tomato juice on the heat and heat the juice to 190F for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and begin placing the tomato juice into the jars.
- Add 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice in pints, 2 tablespoons for quarts.
- Clean the rim of the jar and place the seal on top. Cover with a band and hand tighten.
- Process the jars in the water bath canner 35 minutes pints, 40 minutes quarts.
- Allow to sit for 5 minutes before removing.
- Once removed, place towels around the jars, to slow the cooling process.
- Allow to cool like this for 12-24 hours.
- Label and date the juice, store and enjoy.
Video
Troubleshooting Tomato Juice
Juice Separation
Tomato juice can naturally separate in the jar after sitting. Shake before using.
Siphoning Jars
If juice leaks out of jars after processing, it is usually from removing jars too quickly or uneven cooling. Let jars rest in the canner for 5 minutes before removing.
Jars Not Sealing
Check for chips on the rim, proper headspace, and clean jar rims.
Weak Tomato Flavor
Reduce the juice longer for a stronger flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Freeze Tomato Juice Instead
Yes. Freeze in containers with headspace for expansion.
Can I Add Seasonings
Seasonings can be added when you use the juice later. Keep the canned juice plain for safety.
Can I Use Roma Tomatoes
Yes. Roma tomatoes make a thicker juice.
How To Use Home Canned Tomato Juice
- Tomato soup
- Chili
- Stews
- Pasta sauce
- Casseroles
- Vegetable soup
- Bloody Mary mix
