With the right equipment and method, canning tomato juice at home is a simple and safe process.
Canning tomato juice is a simple process with the right equipment and a research-based recipe to follow. Tomato juice can be processed in either a water bath canneror apressure canner, but the biggest concern related to canning tomato products is the acidification process. Regardless of the canning process, it is recommended to acidify tomato juice when canning.
It is critical whenhome canning tomato juice, to acidify them during the canning process. The acidity of a tomato is considered borderline between high and low acid foods. Michigan State University Extension recommends ensuring the safe acidity by adding two tablespoons of bottled lemon juice or ½ teaspoon of citric acid per quart of tomatoes or tomato juice. For pints, use one tablespoon of bottled lemon juice or ¼ teaspoon of citric acid. The lemon juice or acid can be added directly to the jars before filling with the tomato juice.
Follow these steps for canning tomato juice:
- Wash tomatoes and remove.
- Cut tomatoes into quarters and put directly into saucepan and bring to boil while crushing the tomatoes.
- Continue to slowly add and crush the cut tomato quarters to the boiling mixture, and make sure the mixture boils constantly and vigorously while you add the remaining tomatoes.
- Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes after adding all tomatoes.
- Press heated juice through a sieve or food mill to remove skins and seeds.
- Add bottled lemon juice or citric acid to jars to acidify, as described in the previous paragraph.
- Heat juice again to boiling.
- Add one teaspoon of salt per quart to the jars, if desired.
- Fill hot jars with hot tomato juice, leaving ½-inch headspace.
Adjust lids and process in a water bath canner, pints for 35 minutes and quarts for 40 minutes, at altitudes below 1,000 feet. Using a dial-gauge pressure canner, process pints or quarts for 20 minutes at six pounds of pressure or 15 minutes at 11 pounds of pressure at altitudes below 2,000 feet. For altitude adjustments click here and follow altitude processing recommendations in your area.
Tomato juice can also be frozen by following recommendations from theNational Center for Home Food Preservation.
Michigan State University Extensionalso reminds home food preservers to always use current, research-based recipes when canning tomatoes and other produce. Recommendations and preservation methods have changed over the years, and it is critical to use current methods to have a safely preserved product for you to consume. Resources that are recommended include:MSUExtension Michigan Fresh,theUSDAGuide to Complete Home Canning, National Center for Home Food Preservation, So Easy to Preserve book, or a current Ball Blue Book.
For more information on home food preservation, enroll in MSU Extension’s online Home Food Preservationcourse or join a free, online Preserving MI Harvest class.You can also follow us on Think Food Safety for food preservation tips and information and easy access to our online classes, and watch our library of new food preservation videos.
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FAQs
If you are making it fresh and storing it in your refrigerator in an air-tight bottle or jar, tomato juice can last 2-3 days. If you decide to can your tomato juice, it can last 12-18 months after it has been canned.
Can tomato juice be frozen for later use? ›
You can put it in jars or freezer bags and freeze it to put in chilis or to drink. It will store for 12 months in the freezer. And that's how to make simple tomato juice.
How do you store tomato juice? ›
In sterilized canning jars add 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice to each pint, or 2 tablespoons in quart jars. Fill jars with hot tomato juice, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Then use a clean cloth to wipe the rim clean.
Can tomato juice be water bath canned? ›
Tomato juice can be processed in either a water bath canner or a pressure canner, but the biggest concern related to canning tomato products is the acidification process. Regardless of the canning process, it is recommended to acidify tomato juice when canning.
How long do tomatoes last in mason jars? ›
High acid foods such as tomatoes and other fruit will keep their best quality up to 18 months; low acid foods such as meat and vegetables, 2 to 5 years. While extremely rare, a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum is the worst danger in canned goods.
How long should you boil tomato juice before canning? ›
Once the tomatoes are juiced, bring the juice to a boil over medium heat. Continue to boil for 10 minutes. The juice can be cooked as long as desired to condense and cook off any excess water. Once cooked, remove from the heat and pour into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace.
How to vacuum seal tomato juice? ›
Use FoodSaver Vacuum Seal Bags
- First, put your sauce or diced tomatoes into an ice cube tray.
- Put the container into your freezer and wait until the substance is frozen solid. ...
- Take it out of the freezer and gently edge the frozen sauce out of the container and place into a FoodSaver® bag or roll.
Fresh
- Use the juice to make Spanish or Mexican rice.
- Make gazpacho and add it to the soup.
- Throw it into a pot of meatballs or sausages that are simmering in sauce.
- Add some spices to it and drink it as tomato juice.
- Use it to make Tomato Herb Salad Dressing.
- Add it to meatloaf.
At freezer temperatures, bacteria cannot grow on the tomatoes, which is traditionally the concern with canned goods. It's also a simpler process. Instead of heating the juice or tomato pieces and boiling them before pouring them into jars, freezing tomatoes only takes one step: peeling.
How often can you drink tomato juice? ›
According to research, drinking tomato juice daily can help avoid certain ailments. However, drinking it regularly is not always advised because it might have a laxative effect. It is instead advised to consume it every other day to aid in the body's absorption of nutrients.
You can use a variety of plums, beefsteaks, brandywine, and Campari tomatoes when making tomato juice. Campari is one of the juiciest tomatoes with a sweet, high sugar content but a low level of acidity.
Can I make my own tomato juice from canned tomatoes? ›
Whole or Diced Canned Tomatoes Substitute for Tomato Juice
Blend the whole or diced tomatoes with their juice in a food processor or blender until smooth. You may want to strain the juice to remove seeds and pulp, as desired.
Why add lemon juice when canning tomato juice? ›
Citric acid, bottled lemon juice, or vinegar added in the correct amounts will ensure that whether tomatoes are boiling water bath canned or pressure canned, the C. botulinum spores will not germinate when a current recipe is used and the jars are processed properly.
Which tomato juice is the healthiest? ›
When searching for a healthy variety, choose 100% tomato juice with no salt or sugars added. Additionally, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may want to avoid tomato juice as it can worsen symptoms ( 28 ).
What is a tomato juice bath for? ›
In the case of skunk spray, when this happens, the smell of tomato juice is easily detected and it appears that the skunk odor is gone. While bathing an animal with tomato juice might wash off some of the chemical components causing the odor, it does nothing to chemically alter or neutralize the odor.
How long does it take for homemade juice to go bad? ›
24-48 hours are the recommended storage time, but you are able to push it to 72 hours if you have used lots of citrus fruits and a vacuum container. After 72 hours in the fridge, your juice will lose a lot of its nutrients and will become darker in colour because of oxidisation.
Why do you put lemon juice in homemade tomato juice? ›
To ensure safe acidity in whole, crushed or juiced tomatoes, add 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice or ½ teaspoon of citric acid per quart of tomatoes. For pints, use 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice or ¼ teaspoon of citric acid. Acid can be added directly to the jars before filling with product.
How long does homemade tomato last in the fridge? ›
How Long Homemade Tomato Sauce Lasts in the Refrigerator. Homemade tomato sauce isn't made with shelf-stable preservatives so it has a shorter life in the refrigerator and generally will last for three to five days.
Is drinking homemade tomato juice good for you? ›
Regular consumption of tomato juice is said to be not only good for cardiovascular health, but also for digestion. In fact, thanks to its laxative effect, it helps protect against constipation. In addition, the juice strengthens the healthy intestinal flora.
