4 Easy Ways to Can and Preserve Tomatoes Without Chemicals – Traditional Recipes from Around the World
No Preservatives. No Pectin. Just Pure Tomato Goodness!
If you're looking for simple, chemical-free ways to preserve tomatoes at home, these four tried-and-true recipes will guide you through every step. Whether you’ve harvested a bumper crop or scored a deal at the market, preserving tomatoes lets you enjoy their fresh flavor all year long.
From classic canning to garlic-packed “Tomatoes in the Snow,” these techniques are flavorful, natural, and straight from the home kitchen. Plus, they require no artificial preservatives—just wholesome ingredients and careful preparation.
🍅 Recipe 1: Canned Tomatoes Without Chemicals or Preservatives
This no-chemical tomato canning recipe uses just fresh tomatoes, herbs, and a natural vinegar brine for long-lasting storage.
Ingredients:
2 kg fresh tomatoes (washed and halved)
3 garlic cloves (1 clove per jar, chopped)
Whole peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds
Marinade:
1 liter water
6 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
50 ml vinegar (9% or adjust to 100 ml if using 5%)
Instructions:
Sterilize jars in the oven at 100°C (212°F) for 30 minutes.
Place tomato halves in the jars, add garlic, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and coriander.
Boil marinade and pour it into the jars while hot.
Sterilize lids in boiling water for 10 minutes, then seal jars while hot.
Let cool, store in a dark, cool place (ideally a basement). Lasts up to a year!
🧡 This is a great all-purpose tomato base for sauces and stews.
❄️ Recipe 2: “Tomatoes in the Snow” – A Refreshing Garlic Tomato Preserve
This beautiful method features whole tomatoes preserved in a vinegar-sugar brine with garlic—perfect for salads and side dishes.
Ingredients (for one 2.5L jar):
1.5 kg whole, undamaged tomatoes
50g sugar
2 tsp salt
50 ml vinegar (9%)
1 head garlic (chopped)
Instructions:
Fill a clean 2.5L jar with washed tomatoes.
Pour boiling water over them, cover, and let sit 15 minutes.
Pour the water back into a pot, add sugar, salt, and vinegar. Boil.
Add chopped garlic, then pour hot brine back into the jar.
Wipe jar rim clean, seal with sterilized lid.
Shake gently and store in a cool, dark place.
🧄 Use these juicy garlic-infused tomatoes in salads, pasta, or straight from the jar!
🫙 Recipe 3: Canned Peeled Tomatoes for Soups and Sauces
Perfect for cooking, this peeled tomato preserve is great for recipes where you want a smoother texture without skins.
nstructions:
Score tomato bottoms with an X.
Blanch in boiling water for 30–40 seconds, then transfer to cold water.
Peel skins, cut out stem areas, chop tomatoes.
Pack tomatoes into jars, add salt to taste, but leave some headspace.
Wipe rims, seal with lids.
Place jars in a pot with water up to lid level.
Boil (pasteurize) for 30 minutes.
Cool and store in a dark, cool area.
🔥 These jars are ready to turn into pasta sauces, pizza toppings, or hearty soups.
🌿 Recipe 4: Oven-Dried Cherry Tomatoes in Olive Oil
This method turns cherry tomatoes into a rich, aromatic preserve ideal for charcuterie boards, pastas, and salads.
Ingredients:
1 kg cherry tomatoes (halved)
Salt, sugar, oregano
Fresh garlic, basil, oregano
Olive oil
Instructions:
Lay tomatoes cut-side up on parchment paper.
Sprinkle with salt, sugar, and oregano.
Bake at 100°C (212°F) for 3 hours. Leave oven door open to cool.
Layer tomatoes, garlic, and herbs in jars.
Fill jars completely with olive oil, pressing down to remove air.
Seal tightly with new lids.
Store in a dark, cool place.
🌿 Highly aromatic and perfect with bread, cheese, or grilled meats!
0 servings