11 Best Tomato Varieties for Canning You Should Grow in Your Garden

Traditional heirloom canning Tomato varieties often offer a rich and robust flavor profile that adds depth to any recipe. Growing your canning Tomato varieties allows you to control the quality and taste of your preserved goods and provides a sense of satisfaction, knowing that you’ve nurtured these plants from seed to jar. Traditional heirloom canning Tomatoes have long been celebrated for their exceptional qualities, making them ideal for preservation.

Why grow canning Tomato varieties? Well, if you’re an avid home cook who enjoys preserving the flavors of summer all year round, then growing Tomatoes specifically for canning is a brilliant idea. Why are certain varieties so good for canning? Canning Tomatoes differ from your regular eating Tomatoes as they possess certain characteristics that make them perfect for preserving.

11 Best Tomato Varieties for Canning

Roma Tomato

Roma Tomatoes, also known as Italian plum Tomatoes, are one of the best varieties for canning. These small and elongated fruits have a firm texture, thick walls, and low moisture content, making them perfect for preservation.
The Roma Tomato originated in Italy but has gained popularity worldwide due to its excellent flavor and versatility in cooking. Its meaty flesh contains fewer seeds and less water than other Tomato varieties, so you get a more concentrated flavor when canned.
When harvesting Roma Tomatoes for canning purposes, it is important to wait until they reach their peak ripeness. Look for fully red or slightly orange fruits that feel firm when gently squeezed. Avoid green or overripe specimens, which may not provide the desired taste and texture.

Juliet Tomato

Juliet Tomato is a popular variety among home gardeners. This indeterminate Tomato produces clusters of beautiful red fruits perfect for canning.
One of the standout features of Juliet Tomato is its disease resistance. It’s highly resistant to late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, and verticillium wilt. This means less worry about your plants succumbing to common fungal diseases that can ruin an entire crop.
Another reason many gardeners choose Juliet Tomatoes for canning is their long harvesting period. These Tomatoes will keep producing ripe fruit throughout the summer until frost sets in. That means you’ll have a steady supply for all your canning needs. Juliet Tomatoes are an excellent choice for their firm flesh and minimal seeds.

Celebrity Tomato

The Celebrity Tomato is a popular choice among home gardeners. This variety is known for its disease resistance and high yields, making it an excellent option for those looking to stock up on canned Tomatoes.
The Celebrity Tomato has a classic Tomato flavor that pairs well with various dishes. Its juicy flesh and meaty texture make it perfect for soups, sauces, and salsas.
So, if you’re looking for a reliable Tomato variety that performs well in canning recipes and provides delicious results every time, give Celebrity Tomato a try in your garden this year.

San Marzano Tomato

San Marzano Tomatoes are hailed as the ultimate choice for canning enthusiasts. Originating from Italy, these elongated plum-shaped fruits have become a staple in many kitchens worldwide. With their thick flesh, few seeds, and intense flavor, San Marzanos make an excellent addition to any homemade Tomato sauce or paste.

These Tomatoes are known for their vibrant red color and firm texture. Their low acidity levels make them perfect for preserving through canning methods. Harvesting San Marzano Tomatoes at peak ripeness is crucial to fully experience their incredible flavor profile. Typically harvested between July and September, when they reach full maturity, it’s important to pick them carefully by hand without bruising or damaging the fruit.

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Amish Paste Tomato

The Amish Paste Tomato is a true gem in canning Tomatoes. With its rich, sweet flavor and meaty texture, it’s no wonder home gardeners and canners alike highly seek this variety.
Originating from Amish communities in the Midwest, the Amish Paste Tomato has been passed down through generations for its exceptional canning qualities.
Harvested when fully ripe and deep red, these Tomatoes are flavorful. Their dense flesh holds up well during cooking processes like simmering or roasting, resulting in a smooth consistency that easily fills jars without excess liquid. Not only does the Amish Paste Tomato shine in canned goods, but it also adds depth to fresh salads or sandwiches.

Italian Red Pear Tomato

Italian Red Pear Tomato is a variety that stands out for its unique flavor. This Tomato adds visual appeal to any dish or canning jar with its pear-like appearance. The vibrant red and juicy flesh make it a favorite among home gardeners. In terms of taste, this variety perfectly balances sweetness and acidity. It adds depth to soups, stews, and salsas without overpowering other ingredients. Furthermore, Italian Red Pear Tomato plants are known for their high productivity.

Mountain Fresh Plus Tomato

Mountain Fresh Plus Tomato is a fantastic choice for canning enthusiasts. This Tomato variety is popular for its outstanding flavor and exceptional disease resistance.
One of the main reasons why Mountain Fresh Plus Tomato is ideal for canning is its thick skin. Additionally, this Tomato variety boasts a vibrant red color that visually appeals to your canned products.
Another advantage of growing Mountain Fresh Plus Tomato in your garden is its relatively short harvesting time. Typically, these Tomatoes are ready to be picked around 75-80 days after transplantation.

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Golden Jubilee Tomato

Golden Jubilee Tomato is popular with canning enthusiasts due to its vibrant golden color and sweet flavor. This variety originated in the United States and has been a favorite among gardeners for many years.
One of the main reasons why Golden Jubilee Tomato is ideal for canning is its meaty flesh. The thick, juicy texture holds it well during the canning process, ensuring delicious Tomatoes are preserved in every jar.
Another great feature of this Tomato variety is its low acidity level. This makes it perfect for those who prefer milder flavors in their canned Tomatoes. In terms of harvesting time, Golden Jubilees are typically ready to be picked around 75-80 days after transplanting.

Bonnie Best Tomato

Bonnie Best Tomato is a classic canning Tomato variety that has been a favorite among home gardeners for many years. The Tomatoes are meaty and have few seeds, making them perfect for canning.
One of the great things about Bonnie Best Tomatoes is their versatility in the kitchen. They can be used in various dishes, from sauces and salsas to soups and stews.
Bonnie Best Tomatoes thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. When it comes to harvesting Bonnie Best Tomatoes for canning, it’s best to wait until they are fully ripe on the vine. This ensures maximum flavor and sweetness in your canned goods. To harvest, twist or cut the stem just above where it meets the fruit.

Homestead Tomato

This robust and reliable Tomato has been a favorite among gardeners and home cooks for many years. The Homestead Tomato is known for its meaty flesh, which makes it perfect for canning. The Homestead Tomato thrives in hot climates and is resistant to many common Tomato diseases. Their versatility and reliability make them a top pick among experienced growers who want to stock up on delicious canned goods to enjoy all year round.

Marglobe Tomato

Marglobe Tomato is a classic variety that gardeners have trusted for decades. When peeled and processed, its thick skin holds up well, ensuring that your canned Tomatoes have a rich texture. Marglobe Tomato is a popular choice for canning is its size. These Tomatoes are typically medium-sized, with an average weight of 6-8 ounces. This makes them easy to work with when preparing large batches for canning.

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Conclusion

Canning Tomato varieties tend to have fewer seeds than other Tomato types. This is important because it means more flesh and less watery content in each fruit. Canning Tomato varieties typically have thick skins that hold up well during the hot water bath process involved in canning. These thicker skins ensure the Tomatoes retain shape even after being cooked into sauce or paste.

11 Best Tomato Varieties for Canning You Should Grow in Your Garden