Tomato season is here, and every home preserver has a favorite. Some tomatoes fit perfectly in jars, while others turn mushy or watery after canning. The secret is in the variety you pick and how you use it.

Top Tomato Varieties for Canning

Roma and plum tomatoes are long-time canning favorites. These varieties hold their texture, pack plenty of flavor, and have fewer seeds with less juice. This means you spend less time cooking down your sauce and get a richer result. San Marzano and Amish Paste are two classic picks for smooth sauces and thick salsas. Cherry or heirloom types look pretty, but often make runnier products that don’t keep their shape well. For firm, tasty results, stick with paste tomatoes when possible.

Why Some Tomatoes Work Better Than Others

Paste tomatoes have more flesh, less water, and a small seed cavity. This helps them hold up during processing. Slicing tomatoes supply lots of juice, but you end up boiling down your sauce much longer. The less water in the tomato, the better your yield and the richer your preserves.

Tomato Canning Recipes to Try This Season

Tomato sauce is a must-make every year in my kitchen. I reach for Roma or San Marzano because they turn into a thick, bold sauce that stores beautifully. If you want the smoothest sauce with great depth, follow my favorite Tomato sauce canning guide.

A batch of zesty salsa is always a hit, whether you serve it with chips or use it to brighten up dinner. I use paste tomatoes for this too, since they create a salsa that is thick enough to hold its texture after canning. Find my family’s go-to Homemade salsa canning recipes.

If you like to snack or want a quick appetizer, bruschetta topping is simple to preserve. Use Roma or plum tomatoes, combine with fresh basil and garlic, and store for bursts of summer flavor even in winter. I always remind people to use the best tomatoes they can, since the flavor shines through every bite.

For something different, vodka sauce makes weeknights easier. Paste tomatoes work best here, too. The finished sauce is creamy, smooth, and ready for pasta anytime.

Tomato Tips

Always choose ripe, unbruised fruit. Use tested recipes. Pick firm, paste tomatoes for the best results in sauces and salsa. Every jar you fill now means a taste of summer waits for you later in the year.

Find a tomato recipe you love and try it this season. If you’re new to preservation or want more ideas for your harvest, check out the Beginner's guide to preserving for step-by-step tips and reliable methods.

Let’s keep those jars full and flavors fresh, all year long.

Happy Canning!