The Best Homemade Salsa (for Canning)

A step by step canning recipe for the best homemade salsa we’ve ever made!  

Chock full of flavor with great consistency and texture, it’s perfect for dipping or topping just about anything!  

 

How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

I’ve been on the hunt for several years for the perfect canned salsa recipe.  I admit, I AM a bit picky when it comes to salsa.  Give me huge flavor, great consistency and texture, a bit of heat and I’m a happy girl but . . . . .

I just couldn’t find THE homemade salsa recipe that I wanted to make every year for the rest of my life!

That is until now.

I’ve stopped searching.

This is it—the salsa recipe I will make year after year without thought because it’s just THAT GOOD!

Did I also mention that this salsa recipe is easy?   And that’s there’s no peeling tomatoes or removing seeds involved?   I know, it’s awesome, right?

How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

Are you ready to get started?

 First, get yourself some beautiful, homegrown paste tomatoes.

Aren’t these some beauties?   This variety is called Heinz, my favorite paste tomato for growing here in upstate New York.   Heinz, Roma, San Marzano or any meaty paste tomato is going to work wonderfully in this recipe.

 

How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

Can you use regular slicing tomatoes in this recipe?

 Yes, you can.  However, keep in mind, slicing tomatoes have a lot more water in them.  Don’t worry, you will be draining your tomatoes, because, hey, nobody likes watery salsa, do they?   You will probably use a lot more tomatoes but. . . . if you have loads of slicing tomatoes you want to use, give it a try!  If you find you’re salsa is still watery after draining, add a bit more tomato paste before canning.

My first choice would be to use paste tomatoes which are just awesome for salsa and sauce!

Next, it’s time to chop your vegetables.   To keep this fast, I like to use my food processor.

First up in the food processor is the garlic, simply drop your peeled garlic in the top hole of your food processor while it’s running and you’ll have minced garlic in about 2 seconds.  Add your garlic to a large stainless steel or non-aluminium pot or Dutch oven.

Next, give your onions a rough chop and add to your food processor.  Pulse until the onions are about the size of a small to medium dice for a chunky salsa or a fine dice for a smoother salsa. Measure out 2 1/2 cups of onion and add to your pot.

 How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

Next,  remove the core and seeds from your green peppers and give them a rough chop.  Pulse in the food processor until the peppers are about the size of a small to medium dice for a chunky salsa or a fine dice for a smoother salsa.  Measure out 1 1/2 cups of green peppers and add to your pot.

 

How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

Now it’s time for the jalapenos.   If you have some plastic gloves,  I’d suggest using them when you’re working with jalapenos.  While not the hottest pepper out there, they will leave your hands with a bit of a burn if you don’t wash them thoroughly right after handling.  Remove the inner membrane and the seeds if you don’t want your salsa too spicy.

 

How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

This recipe makes a medium salsa–not too hot and a few kicks up from a mild salsa. If you’d rather keep your salsa mild, reducing to a 1/2 cup of  jalapenos should work nicely while still giving your salsa a lot of flavor.

Process your jalapenos in the food processor until finely minced and add to the pot.

Next up are your tomatoes.  Give them a rough chop and add to your food processor.  For a chunky salsa, pulse until the tomatoes are bite size pieces (they will break down a bit during cooking) or slightly smaller for a smoother salsa.   Add your tomatoes to a non-aluminum strainer with a bowl underneath.   Measure out 8 cups of drained tomatoes and add them to the pot.

 

How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

By the way, don’t toss the leftover tomato juice.  Let’s save some of that homegrown goodness!   You can freeze it in ice cube trays to add to your soups and stews over the winter or use it in place of water to cook rice, quinoa or other grains.

Next, add your cumin, pepper, canning salt, vinegar, tomato paste and tomato sauce.

I’m usually making my Roasted Garlic & Tomato Marinara at the same time I’m making salsa, so most of the time I just substitute the marinara for the tomato sauce. It’s delicious!

How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

Give your pot a good stir and gently boil for 10 minutes.   Ladle your salsa into hot canning jars leaving 1/4 inch of headspace.  Process in a water canner for 15 minutes and enjoy all winter long!

I hope you love this salsa as much as we do!

How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

Yields 11-12 half pints

The Best Homemade Salsa (for Canning)

A step by step canning recipe for The Best Homemade Salsa!

20 minPrep Time

25 minCook Time

45 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe

4.5 based on 2 review(s)

Ingredients

  • 7 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped onions
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped green or yellow peppers
  • 1 cup minced jalapeno (reduce to 1/2 cup for mild salsa)
  • 8 cups chopped and drained paste tomatoes such as Roma, San Marzano, Heinz, etc.
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1/8 cup canning salt
  • 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 (12 oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, mince your garlic by dropping the peeled garlic in the top hole while it's running. Add the minced garlic to a large stainless steel or non-aluminium pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Give your onions a rough chop and add to your food processor.  Pulse until the onions are about the size of a small to medium dice for a chunky salsa or a fine dice for a smoother salsa. Measure out 2 1/2 cups of onion and add to your pot.
  3. Remove the core and seeds from your green peppers and give them a rough chop. Pulse in the food processor until the peppers are about the size of a small to medium dice for a chunky salsa or a fine dice for a smoother salsa. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of green peppers and add to your pot.
  4. If you have some plastic gloves,  I'd suggest using them when you're working with jalapenos.  Remove the inner membrane and the seeds if you don't want your salsa too spicy. Process your jalapenos in the food processor until finely minced and add to the pot.
  5. Give your tomatoes a rough chop and add to your food processor.  For a chunky salsa, pulse until the tomatoes are bite size pieces (they will break down a bit during cooking) or slightly smaller for a smoother salsa.   Add your tomatoes to a non-aluminum strainer with a bowl underneath.   Measure out 8 cups of drained tomatoes and add them to the pot.
  6. Add your cumin, pepper, canning salt, vinegar, tomato paste and tomato sauce.
  7. Give your pot a good stir and gently boil for 10 minutes.   Ladle your salsa into hot canning jars leaving 1/4 inch of headspace.  Process in a water canner for 15 minutes.
  8. Enjoy all winter long and don't forget to save some jars for gift giving!

Notes

Don't toss the leftover tomato juice after you strain your tomatoes.  You can freeze it in ice cube trays to add to your soups and stews over the winter or use it in place of water to cook rice, quinoa or other grains.

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How to Make The Best Homemade Salsa with fresh tomatoes (for Canning) | Healthy Recipe | Preserving | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

 

If you’re looking for more preserving recipes, here are some of my family’s favorites!

 

Quick & Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Simple Sauerkraut in a Jar 

Lemon Basil Pesto (Vegan & Gluten Free) 

Roasted Garlic & Tomato Marinara Sauce 

The BEST Vegan Garlic Scape Pesto 

 

Did you try this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment below or sharing a picture on my Facebook Page or on Instagram . 

I love hearing your feedback!   

 

 

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45 Comments

  • Reply Deb at I am definitely going to try this recipe, Jen! Thank you for sharing it!!! I haven't canned in a few years, and this seems like the perfect way to get back into it! ❤️
    • Reply Jen at Oh, Deb, I'm so glad to hear that!! I hope you love it as much as we do! :)
  • Reply Amanda at It never occurred to me to can my own salsa. That is a great idea for when we have so many tomatoes! (Like now.) Store bought salsa always has vinegar in it and I am not a fan of that after taste in my salsa. Thanks for the great idea!
    • Reply Jen at Thank you, Amanda! I do know what you mean about the vinegar. I'm not a big fan of the taste either. Unfortunately, it's added because it changes the ph of the tomatoes thereby preventing the growth of botulism. If you notice, there is always acid (vinegar or lemon juice) added to tomatoes when canning. This recipe does have a little vinegar added but you don't taste it at all! If you wanted to eliminate the vinegar, you could always freeze the salsa...although it does change the texture and taste a bit though.
  • Reply Shalini at This is looking very good recipe for homemade salsa, really like it. Thanks for sharing Jen. Definitely going to try it.
    • Reply Jen at I'm so happy to hear that, Shalini! I hope you love it as much as we do!
  • Reply Caitlin at Great recipe! I have to share this with my friend who has too many tomatoes :)
    • Reply Jen at Awesome! Thanks, Caitlin! Maybe she'll share some with you! ;)
  • Reply Danielle Gould at I have all of the ingredients; super healthy and relatively easy. Love it, Jen!
    • Reply Jen at Thanks, Danielle! Yes, it sure is easy (compared to the old way of skinning the tomatoes!) Ugh!! I hope you give it a try!
  • Reply Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries at I've been wanting to make my own salsa and tomato sauce. And now I just found the recipe for the salsa! Thank you :)
    • Reply Jen at I'm so glad, Corey! It's a lot of trail and error sometimes to find a great recipe! I hope you love it!
      • Reply Collern at Can i use apple cider instead of white vinegar?
        • Reply Jen at I haven't tried it personally but you could as long as the ACV was least 5% acidity. Just be aware it could alter the flavor a bit.
  • Reply Shell at I love making homemade salsa! I'll have to try this recipe!!
    • Reply Jen at Awesome, Shell! :) I hope you love it as much as we do!
    • Reply Jessica at Can you add fresh cilantro?
      • Reply Jen at Fresh cilantro would be wonderful!
  • Reply Stephanie | Adventures in Aussieland at I LOVE homemade salsa! Anytime I can find jalapeno peppers in the market here, you bet I'm making some from scratch. The store bought salsa in Australia has capsicum in it and it gives it a really weird taste I'm not a fan of.
    • Reply Jen at Ugh! That's a bummer, Stephanie! I hope you give this recipe a try! :)
  • Reply Angela at There's nothing like the taste of homemade salsa, so much tastier than the store bought versions! This recipe looks delicious I will have to give it a try!
    • Reply Jen at I agree, Angela! There's nothing like homemade salsa!
  • Reply yvettr at Oh man I love salsa- as do my kids! This recipe looks delicious.
  • Reply Yolanda at This looks so good! I love the tip you give about not throwing out the extra tomato juice.
    • Reply Jen at Thanks, Yolanda! I hope you give it a try! :)
  • Reply Elena at We make canned food similar to salsa, which is very popular in my country, it is called 'ajvar' I do not know if you have heard about it before.
    • Reply Jen at I had never heard of ajvar, Elena. Is it usually made with eggplant? I found several recipes online and I'm going to try it! It sounds amazing! Thank you! :)
  • Reply Elise Cohen Ho at I have made several attempts at homemade salsa through the years and have not been thrilled with the results. Perhaps this will change all of that.
    • Reply Jen at Ah, I'm not the only one! I hope you give it a try, Elise. It's fantastic! I've made three batches so far and my family is begging me to make more because they are afraid it won't last until next year!
  • Reply Carolyn | The Organic Gypsy at Ooooh, this looks really great! I love a good salsa. Thank you.
    • Reply Jen at Thanks, Carolyn! I hope you enjoy it! :)
  • Reply It is Lucky 21 Tip Sharing, Let's Party - Ask Dr. Ho at […] The Best Homemade Salsa (for Canning) by My Healthy Homemade Life […]
  • Reply Bronke at This looks absolutely delicous! I love a good salsa!
    • Reply Jen at Thanks, Bronke! I hope you enjoy it! :)
  • Reply Paula | The Value of a Moment at I’ve always wanted to make my own salsa! Thanks for the great step by step, I’m going to give it a try!
    • Reply Jen at Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear that. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do, Paula! :)
  • Reply Karla Pitzen at I am super picky about salsa too . . . partially because I don't like onions. It is a curse! I love the idea of canning salsa and having it on hand all year.
    • Reply Jen at It is so nice to have a pantry full of your own homemade salsa to use all winter!
  • Reply Claudia at I’m going to try this recipe tomorrow! I haven’t found one I love yet. Hoping this is it! Do you leave the skin on the tomatoes?
    • Reply Jen at Hi Claudia, Yes, I do leave the skins on. No need to peel. Hope you love it as much as we do!
  • Reply Donna Hofferd at Making this salsa and can't get it canned today. Is it okay to leave overnight? It is cooked.
    • Reply Jen at Yes, that should be fine, Donna. Just refrigerate overnight and reheat when you’re ready to can.
  • Reply Kimberly H. at About how much does this make? I’m planning on making this tomorrow and am unsure how many jars to prepare. I’m really excited to make this but I’m changing up a couple things. I’m using tomato purée instead of the paste & sauce, plus using some of my roasted hatch chilies & a Serrano & 1 jalapeño pepper instead of a cup of jalapeños. Also am going to add some powdered ancho & chipotle to spice things up. Maybe a dash of dried lime too -LOL. I will let you know how it turns out.
    • Reply Jen at Hi Kimberly, Your plan sounds delicious! This recipe as written makes 11-12 half pints but with your substitutions, it may be a little different. Jen

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