Easy Tomato Paste Recipe

Homemade tomato paste is one of those pantry staples that tastes better when you make it yourself. Instead of buying a tiny can at the store, you can cook down fresh plum tomatoes into a thick, rich paste that adds deep flavor to soups, chili, spaghetti sauce and more.

This recipe uses simple ingredients like red bell peppers, basil, garlic and fresh tomatoes. It takes several hours to reduce, but the process is easy and the flavor is worth it. Add this paste to your favorite canning recipes or freeze small portions for everyday cooking.

Add this to your favorite canning recipes.

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5 from 2 votes

Homemade Tomato Paste Recipe

Make your own homemade tomato paste using fresh plum tomatoes cooked down into a thick, rich paste. This slow cooked method gives you deep tomato flavor for soups, chili and spaghetti sauce. Simple ingredients and steady cooking time make this a great pantry staple for everyday meals and canning recipes.

Course: Canning

Cuisine: American

Author: Regina Sober

Equipment

• Water Bath Canner
• Slow cooker
• Dutch Oven Pot
• Spatula
• canning utensils
• Ladle
• Knife
• Mixing Bowls
• Canning jars, bands and seals
• Cutting board
• Ball Blue Book Guide To Preserving

Ingredients

• 16 pounds plum tomatoes
• 1 ½ cups chopped red bell pepper
• 2 basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1 clove garlic (optional)
• bottled lemon juice/citric acid

Instructions

Processing Tomatoes

• Wash tomatoes and peppers.
• Cut and remove seeds from peppers.
• Remove the stem end of the tomato and coarsely chop the tomatoes.
• If you are making tomato juice and discarded the meat and seeds from them, you can use this to make tomato paste.
• Place tomatoes and peppers into the dutch oven/large pot.
• Add the garlic and basil.
• Add the salt (optional)
• Cook the tomatoes for an hour. They should be softened. Be sure to stir often to keep them from sticking on the bottom of the pan.
• Remove from heat and puree tomatoes into liquid.
• Run puree through food mill (electric or manual).
• Place the pureed juice into a slow cooker, add the garlic and basil and allow to reduce for several hours.
• It will need to be thick on the back of a spoon. This could take 2-6 hours, depending on the thickness of your puree
• Once the tomato paste mounds on the back of a spoon, it's time to can!

Canning Tomato Paste

• Ensure water bath canner is has hot water before you start to jar the hot tomato paste.
• Add 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice into each jar. If you are using citric acid, add1/4 teaspoon per jar.
• Use a funnel and ladle the hot tomato paste into jars. We used quarter pints as this is about the amount we would use per use.
• Remove any air bubbles and leave 1/2 inch headspace in the jars.
• Wipe the rims with a clean towel.
• Place a seal on each jar and place a band finger tight on each jar.
• Place the jars into water bath canner. Once the water is boiling, process the jars for 45 minutes.
• Once time is up, turn off heat and allow jars to sit for 5 minutes before removing.
• Place jars on the counter with a towel under them.
• Cover the jars and allow them to cool for 12 hours.
• Remove the bands and check that the seals have sealed.
• Date and label jars and store in your pantry.

Video

Why Homemade Tomato Paste Works So Well

Homemade tomato paste has less liquid and more concentrated tomato flavor. A small spoonful can thicken soups, boost spaghetti sauce or add richness to chili. It is one of the easiest ways to elevate your homemade dishes.

Blending Helps the Food Mill Work Faster

Using an immersion blender or regular blender helps combine the tomatoes, onions and seasonings. Blending makes it easier for the mixture to pass through the food mill. If you skip blending, the food mill will take longer to process.

Is It Worth Making Your Own Tomato Paste

Yes. You control every ingredient, and the flavor is cleaner and richer than store bought paste. The process does not require a lot of effort, but it does take time for the tomatoes to reduce down.

Can You Make Tomato Paste From Tomato Sauce

You can. If you already have tomato sauce, place it in a slow cooker or roaster and let it reduce. The time will depend on how thin the sauce is. Thicker sauces reduce faster.

What Tomatoes Work Best for Tomato Paste

Plum tomatoes are the best choice. Roma tomatoes are the most common plum variety, but any plum tomato will work. They have thick, meaty flesh that cooks down into a rich paste.

Frequently Asked Questions: Homemade Tomato Paste

What do you use tomato paste for

Tomato paste thickens soups, adds flavor to spaghetti sauce and boosts chili. It gives a strong tomato flavor without adding extra liquid.

Do you need to blend the tomatoes first

Blending helps everything move through the food mill faster. It is optional, but it saves time.

How long does tomato paste take to cook down

Several hours. The exact time depends on your tomatoes and cooking method.

Can you freeze homemade tomato paste

Yes. Freeze small portions in ice cube trays or small jars for easy use.

Can you water bath can tomato paste

Follow safe canning guidelines and ensure proper acidity. Many tomato pastes can be water bath canned when acidified correctly.

Can you double this recipe

Yes. Larger batches will take longer to reduce.