Having a jar of tomato salsa in the pantry is always a good thing to have on hand when it comes to taco night or other festive dinners. Salsa also makes a great snack and is one of the ultimate party foods for big crowds. Sure, it's convenient to buy a jar of salsa at the grocery store, but it's even better when you make it at home. If you're growing fresh tomatoes this year or you picked up too many at the farmer's market and you don't know what to do with them, try canning salsa. It's the perfect way to preserve all of those fresh ingredients and you just can't beat the taste of homemade salsa.
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The canning process is actually quite simple. You'll start by roasting the tomatoes. Any tomatoes will work for this, however, Roma tomatoes are recommended due to their low water content. Once the tomatoes are charred, they should be soft and the skins should peel back. While the tomatoes are roasting, fill the canner with water, bring to a rolling boil and simmer the canning jars to sterilize.
Next, you'll want to chop your tomatoes and veggies. You can do this in a food processor, but sometimes it's fun to chop everything by hand! To a large stockpot, add the tomatoes, green bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, chopped garlic, green onions, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, fresh cilantro and cumin and bring to a simmer so it cooks down. If you like thicker salsa, feel free to add a bit of tomato paste.
Ladle the salsa into each half-pint jar leaving about 1/2 inch headspace. Tap the jars to remove any air bubbles and seal. Process in a water bath canner, remove and allow the hot jars to cool down. Make sure to check each jar and that it has sealed correctly. If it did not seal, place in the refrigerator.
5 Recipes to Use for Canning Salsa
1. The Best Homemade Salsa
This fresh salsa is absolutely delicious and filled with fresh flavor. If you like hot salsa, feel free to use your favorite hot peppers to spice things up. Get the recipe here.
2. Fire Roasted Salsa
With the smoky flavors of the fire-roasted tomatoes, jalapeños, and poblano peppers, you'll be glad you made this recipe to store in the pantry.
3. Corn & Cherry Tomato Salsa
With the sweet crunch from the corn kernels and the juiciness from the cherry tomatoes, this homemade salsa is like summer in a jar! Get the recipe here.
4. Mango-Pineapple Salsa
The sweetness of the mango and pineapple really help balance out the spiciness from the jalapeño peppers. This is a great salsa to pair with tortilla chips or to dress up fish tacos.
5. Homemade Salsa Verde
Made with tomatillos, onions, garlic, spices and a mix of green peppers, you'll fall in love with this green salsa recipe. If you prefer mild salsa, stick with bell peppers and jalapeños. If you like hot salsa, use whatever hot peppers you have on hand like habaneros or green chiles.
