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How to Can Salsa the Easy Way

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red jar of salsa with chips
canned jars of salsa
salsa in jars
red salsa canned

Having salsa in your pantry at all times can be a huge lifesaver when it comes to mealtimes. You know there’s nothing like a fresh batch of salsa and today, I’m sharing how to can salsa the easy way so you can keep it year-round.

In the post, I’m going to answer all of your salsa canning questions, so keep reading. But first, if you’re a visual person, watch this video.

This recipe originated from my friends at Ball® Home Canning, my go-to resource on all things preserving. Why not go straight to the pros to give you this step-by-step guide?

I’ve also linked everything I used in this post; which is great because Ball canning products are easy to find online and in major retailers.

image: Four full jars of canned red salsa

If you’ve found yourself with more tomatoes in your garden you can consume and already figured out you can’t freeze tomatoes, you’re in the right post. Preserving them in salsa is the way to go!

This post will explain everything you need to know to keep your garden tomatoes for months to come; from how to make the tomato peeling process 1000x easier to how to store your precious canned salsa and more.

You know why I love having canned salsa in my pantry? Because I can always have it on hand for all the taco recipes on this website and for chips, of course!

Woman with a dish full of corn chips and cans of salsa

Today, I’m going to show you how to can salsa at home with a simple and easy-to-follow canning process. You’ll need a few canning supplies to get the job done so let’s go over those first.

What Do You Need to Start Canning

When it comes to canning, most beginners get overwhelmed with the canning supplies. Thankfully the Ball® Home Preserving Starter Kit comes with everything you need to get started.

With a starter kit, you’ll have everything you need to can your first batch of salsa or jelly.

A starter kit includes:

  • A preserving rack
  • 3 16-ounce jars
  • Basic Preserving Utensils
  • Home Preserving Guide & Recipe Booklet

Along with the canning items above, you’ll also need a canner, which is a large pot big enough to fill with water and jars. I used my stock pot, the same one I use to make stock or boil spaghetti –yes, that one.

Is Canning Easy

Whether it’s pickling vegetables, making jam with berries, or sauces and salsa with tomatoes canning is an easy way to save money and enjoy our favorite foods year-round.  

The process is simple, although it does take some time, and there are several steps that need to be followed to a T, or you might end up with a bad batch, and that would be a tragedy!

image: Open mason jar full of red salsa next to dish of corn chips and bowl of the same salsa

Easy Recipe for Salsa

This salsa recipe is similar to how I make my fresh salsa, and with the addition of vinegar and proper processing time inside Ball® Jars, we have a deliciously preserved fresh salsa for months to come!

How to Remove the Skins from Tomatoes for Salsa

Unlike my traditional, make-and-eat salsa recipe, this version calls for peeled tomatoes –all canned salsa recipes do.

You didn’t think I was going to peel fresh tomatoes with a vegetable peeler, did you? Hah, please! That’d be a mess and nearly impossible. There are two ways to peel tomatoes; boiling them and roasting them.

In my experience, roasting the tomatoes is the easiest way to remove those skins.

First, you can boil the tomatoes until the skin becomes tender enough. You remove them from the pot, set them aside until they cool down enough to handle, and remove the skins.

Roasting them practically self-removes the skin in the process and they peel back super easy

image: hand peeling skin off of roasted roma tomatoes

Do you Have to Peel Tomatoes to Can Them?

Tomato skins can be tough and bitter, so it’s nice — but not necessary — to remove them from tomatoes to be canned. For this recipe, I’ve chosen the roasting method to remove the peel, since I found this to be the easiest and best way to do this in bulk.

How to Roast Tomatoes for Salsa

If roasting tomatoes seems like something your grandmother would do, it’s because she probably did! I know my grandmother roasted tomatoes to make all sorts of recipes and I remember the process being easy –and it is!

By simply placing all the tomatoes on a baking sheet and roasting them, you’ll get the skins off easily. You are going to roast them in the oven until the charred skins begin to peel themselves back.

At that point, you’ll remove the sheet pan from the oven, let the tomatoes cool down to room temperature and then, they peel back like magic! Roasting tomatoes also brings out the natural sweetness on tomatoes and gives them a deep caramelized flavor we love.

image: Roma tomatoes roasting on a pan

Which Tomatoes are Best for Salsa?

The best tomatoes for salsa are the ones that are abundant, ripe, and have more meat on them. The easiest to find are Roma tomatoes; although some people use San Marzano tomatoes.

In the end, whatever is in season will make prime salsa and sauces. They also cost less so buying them in bulk at your local farmer’s market or grocery store and canning them is a smart way to enjoy summer tomatoes year-round.

The key to fresh salsa is using a tomato with few seeds such as Romas, but I’ve found that removing the seeds and core with a spoon does the trick.

image: freshly washed roma tomatoes laid out on a roasting pan

How Do I Make a Smooth Salsa?

If you prefer a smoother salsa recipe rather thank chunky, either use an immersion blender in your pot before filling your jars or, transfer the salsa into a blender or food processor and pulse until your desired consistency.

Once you have the texture of salsa you like to enjoy, transfer it to your jars before canning.

How to Can Salsa

Here’s where you might need a notebook and pencil –or simply print the recipe below. The steps aren’t complicated, but all of them are equally important.

Here is how to can salsa:

1. Preheat the Jars
First things first, place the jars in a large pot of simmering (180F) water. This will prevent them from bursting when filled with hot food.

image: tongs lifting a canning jar out of a pot of hot water on a stove

2. Prepare the recipe
Once the tomatoes are roasted, remove the skins and give them a rough chop.

Add them to a large pot along with the green onions, garlic, jalapenos, vinegar, lime juice, hot sauce, cilantro, and salt, stir, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes or until cooked down. Remove from heat.

image: freshly crushed tomatoes, green onions, seasoning and diced jalepeno in a saucepan

3. Fill Jars with Salsa
Carefully, remove the jars from the simmering water with the Jar Lifter and set onto a flat surface. Fill each jar with the hot salsa.

image: a black funnel on top of a mason jar filled with freshly made red salsa

4. Remove Air Bubbles
Gently tap the bottom of the jar on a flat surface to remove any air bubbles; this will keep the salsa from spoiling due to trapped air.

Leave ½ inch of space between lid and salsa.

image: tool wiping down rim of canning jar with red salsa inside it

5. Wipe the Rim
Using a clean, damp cloth remove any residue or food from the tip of the jar. Top it with a lid and apply the band until it’s fingertip tight.

image: Four mason jars of red salsa

6. Place the Jars in the Canner.
Make sure the water covers each jar by 1 to 2 inches and bring it to a rolling boil over medium-high heat for 15 minutes.

image: Full mason jar of red salsa being lowered with tongs into pot of hot water

7. Process
When complete, turn off the heat and allow jars to sit in hot water for 5 minutes.

8. Rest
Not you, the jars. Once you’ve removed them from the water with the tongs and set aside onto a flat surface. Leave the jars undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours.

image: Four jars of canned red salsa

9. Inspect
Time to apply the flex test! Apply pressure to the center of the lid with your fingertip, if it bends, it’s a bad egg. Second, remove the bands and try to lift the top with your fingers. Properly sealed lids will remain attached, otherwise, toss it!

Fresh Salsa vs Canned Salsa

The difference between fresh salsa and canned salsa is that fresh salsa, as the name entails, is a mixture of raw ingredients, while canned salsa is often cooked to preserve it and cook out any bacteria.

At the grocery store, fresh salsa is always refrigerated and has a short shelf life, while the salsa found on the grocery shelves has been cooked and canned using the same process below.

Another ingredient used to preserve salsa is an acid, like vinegar, explained further below.

Is Vinegar Necessary for Canning Salsa?

The acid in the vinegar helps preserve the salsa you are canning. I assure you that you will not be tasting the vinegar in the salsa itself, it’s used to preserve it. The natural acidity in tomatoes isn’t often enough to preserve it long-term, which is why vinegar is used in this recipe for canning.

Can I Use Lime Juice or Lemon Juice Instead of Vinegar When Canning Salsa?

If you want to use lime juice or lemon juice in this recipe instead of vinegar, I recommend you use the bottled kind since they have higher acidity than squeezing fresh lemon or lime juice out of the fruit.

Do You Need to Cook Salsa Before Canning?

Yes, cooking salsa is a necessary step before canning to cook out any bacteria left in the food, which would only multiply when sealing and storing for long periods of time.

To can or preserve food for long-term storage you can store the food in a jar filled with an acidic liquid (like pickles or olives) or cooked, such as jams, sauces, and salsas.

When you open your previously canned salsa months from now, it will not taste like tomato sauce, it will taste like a better version of salsas you find in your grocery shelf not in the fresh/refrigerated aisle.

Best Jars for Canning

The best jars for canning are always made from glass and with lids that are BPA-free. The jar size is always a matter of preference, with smaller 8-ounce jars being traditionally used for jelly and 16-ounce and 32-ounce jars for canning salsa, sauces, and vegetables.

There are also two lid sizes, traditional, regular-mouth canning jars, and wide-mouth jars. And while each is best for different foods, it always boils down to a matter of preference and what will make the canning process easier.

The ones I used in this post are made by Ball, which has been making the most popular jars for canning since 1880.

Water Bath Canning

There are two approaches to safe canning: water bath and pressure canning. For this recipe, I’m using the water bath; it’s the simplest and beginner-friendly method.

Water bath canning is best for high-acid foods and recipes that include the right amount of acid. The combination of time and temperature destroys bacteria while the heat creates a vacuum seal.

Items such as fruit, jams, jellies, salsa, tomatoes, pickles, sauces, pie fillings, and condiments use this method.

image: Full mason jar of red salsa being lowered with tongs into pot of hot water

Pressure Canning Salsa

This form of canning uses high temperatures to safely preserve foods that are low in acid such as meat, poultry, vegetables, chili, and seafood.

Once again, the combination of time and temperature destroys bacteria and creates a tight vacuum seal, so food stays fresh longer.

How Long Does Canned Salsa Last?

Canned salsa will last 12 to 18 months, given that the seal of your jar’s seal has not been broken. If you are canning a lot, make sure to rotate your jars often so you always enjoy the freshest salsa.

After opening, salsa can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

The best thing about canned salsa, whether you open it after 3 months or 9, is that you’ll be able to taste all the flavor from your garden tomatoes, the same ones you put lots of work into months ago.

image: can of red salsa next to tray of corn chips and bowl of red salsa

Best Tacos to go with this salsa recipe

So, what does one do with homemade salsa? Tacos! At this rate, your canned salsa won’t last a month, but tacos are worth it. Here are 3 of my favorites:

  • Grilled Fish Tacos
  • All American Beef Tacos
  • Salsa Chicken Tacos

The real question is, do you can? If so, what are your favorite recipes? For more fresh ideas, go check out what they are making at Ball® Jars Fresh Preserving.

Print

How to Can Salsa the Easy Way

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★★★★★

4.7 from 21 reviews

A fresh batch of salsa is possible when you learn how to can salsa the easy way!

  • Author: Laura Fuentes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour + 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour + 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 – 16 ounce jars salsa
  • Category: Tacos
  • Method: Canning
  • Cuisine: Sauces

Ingredients

  • 10 lbs Roma tomatoes,
    about 16 cups of chopped tomatoes
  • 12 green onions, chopped
  • 4 jalapeno peppers, diced
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 8 drops hot pepper sauce
  • ¼ cup minced cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4  Ball® (16 oz) pint or 8 Ball® (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450F.
  2. Place the tomatoes onto 2 large baking sheets and roast for 20 to 25 minutes until the tomatoes are charred and the skins peel back. Remove from oven and allow to cool down to room temperature.
  3. Meanwhile, fill the canner with water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the empty Ball® jars to the water and simmer on medium-low heat until ready for use, making sure the water does not boil.
  4. Meanwhile, chop the green onions, jalapeno peppers, and garlic.
  5. Remove the skin from the tomatoes and cut each in half. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard them. Dice the tomatoes and transfer to a large saucepan.
  6. To the tomatoes add the green onions, garlic, jalapenos, vinegar, lime juice, hot sauce, cilantro, and salt. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
  7. Once the salsa has cooked down, remove the jars from the water and fill each with salsa, ½ inch from the rim.
  8. Lightly tap each jar on a cutting board to remove air bubbles. Wipe the rim with a clean cloth and place the lid over the mouth of each jar. Apply the band and seal until fingertip tight.
  9. Place the jars back onto the rack and lower into the canner full of water, making sure the water covers the jars by 1 to 2 inches.
  10. Bring to a boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit in hot water for 5 minutes.
  11. Remove from water and allow to rest for 12 to 24 hours before applying the flex test. Using your fingertip, apply pressure to the center of the lid, if it bends it didn’t seal correctly.
  12. Store all safely preserved jars for up to 12 to 18 months.

Equipment

the taco tuesday cookbook

The Taco Tuesday Cookbook

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Canning starter kit

Buy Now →

Notes

Bulk Method:

If you’re canning salsa in large quantities, I suggest you slice the tomatoes in half first, roast them, then peel, and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and watery insides. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ¼ cup
  • Calories: 33
  • Sugar: 4.3g
  • Sodium: 299mg
  • Fat: 0.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.9g
  • Fiber: 2.1g
  • Protein: 1.4g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

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  1. Patricia

    September 18, 2022 at 2:17 pm

    Thank you for this great recipe. It was delicious by all who tasted it! My son tasted the difference and it was the roasting that made the difference. I will make it again!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      September 22, 2022 at 3:03 pm

      Glad you enjoyed this canned salsa, Patricia!

      Reply
  2. Jen

    June 03, 2022 at 10:18 am

    Hello,

    Does the salsa have to be cooked before canning in water bath? Can I add my homemade but uncooked salsa straight into the hot jars? Thanks for any advice for a newbie canner!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      June 06, 2022 at 1:04 pm

      If you follow the recipe, there is no step for cooking the salsa. The tomatoes are roasted to remove the peel easily, which I highly recommend doing. Print the recipe, follow the steps, no need to cook everything after it’s mixed. Just follow the canning directions.

      Reply
      • Debbie

        July 26, 2022 at 1:21 pm

        Isn’t step #6 cooking?

        Reply
        • Laura Fuentes

          July 27, 2022 at 11:32 am

          the steps in the post are summarized to give you an idea of what’s to come. the printable recipe has different step numbers because it’s more detailed. please print and follow the detailed printable recipe card. I hope this helps.

          Reply
        • Rob

          August 07, 2022 at 4:56 pm

          I am with Debbie and Jen “To the tomatoes add the green onions, garlic, jalapenos, vinegar, lime juice, hot sauce, cilantro, and salt. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.” That is cooking the salsa. We don’t cook our salsa, so we are attempting to figure out how to can it without cooking it.

          Reply
          • Laura Fuentes

            August 09, 2022 at 11:27 am

            While the process of making fresh salsa is chop, mix, and serve, when you want to preserve food, there are two options. You can store the food in a jar filled with an acidic liquid (like pickles or olives) or cooked, such as jams and other foods that are not stored in that acidic liquid. Salsa will fall under the “cooked” category, which is why while you’re “technically” cooking it, it’s part of the canning/long-term storage process. When you open your previously canned salsa months from now, it will not taste like tomato sauce, it will taste like a better version of salsas you find in your grocery shelf not in the fresh/refrigerated aisle.

    • Doris

      August 28, 2022 at 4:38 pm

      Yes you do cook it reread the recipe.

      Reply
  3. Lillian

    April 24, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    I get fresh made salsa from my favorite restaurant. How do I cann it from that point. The_ give it to me cold.

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      May 23, 2022 at 4:31 pm

      Pour salsa in your jars and follow the canning steps.

      Reply
  4. Debra Butters

    March 02, 2022 at 10:43 am

    What type of salt did you use in the salsa recipe ? Canning salt or ?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      March 07, 2022 at 3:37 pm

      Traditional salt.

      Reply
  5. Kathrine

    October 02, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    For me, 10 pounds of San Marzano-style tomatoes yielded ELEVEN pints of salsa. True, I didn’t remove seeds or skins, but that still seems like a big difference.
    Added more hot sauce — more like a tablespoon — but still… I was glad I had some extra jars in the basement!

    Reply
    • Nancy

      April 11, 2022 at 7:16 am

      Turned out really good. I made this with Frozen tomatoes. I’ve been freezing tomatoes for years. Don’t say can’t.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
  6. Michael

    September 27, 2021 at 4:17 pm

    My first time making salsa, used your recipe & it turned out amazing! I don’t really care for store bought salsa but this stuff is the bomb!! I have more tomatoes in the garden so I’m making a second batch!!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      October 04, 2021 at 6:07 pm

      Thank you for trusting my step-by-step recipe, Michael! I hope there are many batches to come. Enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Michael

    September 13, 2021 at 9:45 am

    Is it ok to use canned tomatoes?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      September 13, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      You could.

      Reply
      • Douglas

        November 05, 2021 at 9:09 am

        What type of vinegar is needed?

        Reply
        • Laura Fuentes

          November 09, 2021 at 8:35 am

          apple cider or white vinegar will work.

          Reply
    • Debbie Clemens

      October 02, 2021 at 12:36 pm

      Hi, I was wondering what would happen if I forgot to leave the jars in the hot water for that extra 5 minutes???? I didn’t realize it to it was too late to try and put them back in the water!!! Please tell me if will be fine!!! Thank you

      Reply
      • Laura Fuentes

        October 04, 2021 at 5:53 pm

        Hi Debbie, the jars should be fine with the extra time. Just make sure the “seal” is intact as shown in the video. Enjoy your salsa.

        Reply
  8. Maureen

    September 11, 2021 at 7:05 pm

    If your jar doesn’t pass the lid test, why toss it? Can’t you keep it in the fridge for 10 days or so and enjoy it?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      September 13, 2021 at 1:56 pm

      If your jar does not pass the test before storing, definitely consume it within a week. When a jar that has been stored in the pantry has lost its seal, then toss it.

      Reply
      • Lydia W

        September 27, 2021 at 12:21 pm

        Yes, Those that didn’t seal properly, refrigerate and eat within the week, definitely don’t just throw it out

        ★★★★★

        Reply
  9. Belle

    September 10, 2021 at 12:50 pm

    I have had so many compliments on this recipe it was my very first time to do this I am so grateful and it reminds me of my Arizona home state love it Thank you So very much

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  10. Deb Mcneal

    September 05, 2021 at 9:10 pm

    What is the big deal about tomato seeds? I love them do they get bitter when canned?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      September 06, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      Hi Deb, you can leave the tomato seeds in, removing them is optional but they do need to be roasted prior to cooking down with the rest of the ingredients.

      Reply
      • Darlene P

        June 03, 2022 at 7:11 pm

        Are you saying roast seeds separately? OR make sure you roast your tomatoes?
        What is difference to keep seeds in? Thank You!

        Reply
        • Laura Fuentes

          June 06, 2022 at 1:03 pm

          I did not say to roast the seeds separately. Once the tomatoes are cooled, peel them. With a spoon, remove some of the seeds and juices (if you want). Then follow the steps. You can keep the seeds and use the tomatoes whole or coarsely chopped in the salsa. The seeds and liquid will make the salsa runnier/thinner.

          Reply
  11. Jodi

    September 03, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    I used this recipe the first time I ever canned salsa It was so easy and turned out great!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  12. Lauri Minton

    August 30, 2021 at 4:56 pm

    Hey Laura –

    Not a question, just a comment and tip I learned a few years back. You actually can freeze tomatoes! Wash them and let them dry, then just put them in the freezer in a zip-top bag.

    When you need a tomato (or a few) for soups, chili, or pasta sauce, pull a few out of the freezer and either let them thaw in a bowl, or cook them a few minutes in the microwave to thaw them out. The skin peels off easy peasy, and I often crush the tomato into whatever I’m cooking. The flavor is unbelievable!

    I grew up helping my mom can, water bath, freeze, dry, and any other means she could do to preserve the 1/2 acre garden harvest, yet I only learned this trick a few years ago from my boss. I try to share it with others, because it is by far the easiest way to keep tomatoes for future use when they start out-producing our ability to eat them fast enough!

    Reply
    • Roger Mathews

      November 04, 2021 at 10:58 pm

      I have done this as well. learned this trick from a co-worker.

      Reply
    • Tracy

      August 28, 2022 at 9:03 am

      I learned that a few years ago too!! It works great:)

      Reply
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