Canning tomatoes is a great way to preserve the taste of summer to enjoy all year round. While traditional water bath canning is effective, it can be time and labor intensive with the need to sterilize jars and process pint after pint. Using an Instant Pot can make canning tomatoes faster and easier while still ensuring safely sealed and shelf stable jars of tomatoes.
The Instant Pot is an electric multicooker that works as a pressure cooker. It allows you to quickly can tomatoes at high heat above the boiling point to kill any bacteria. The higher temperature allows the processing time to be shortened. Jars still need to be sterilized beforehand, but the total hands on time is reduced.
Benefits of Using an Instant Pot to Can Tomatoes
There are several advantages to using an Instant Pot instead of a traditional water bath canner:
Shorter Processing Time
Most pint jars need 35-45 minutes of processing time in a water bath canner. With an Instant Pot, they only need 25 minutes once pressurized. This adds up to a significant time savings when doing a large batch.
Less Monitoring
A water bath canner needs to be constantly monitored and topped off with hot water as needed. The Instant Pot doesn’t need monitoring once it reaches pressure.
More Shelf Stable
The higher pressure processing temperature makes the jars more shelf stable and less prone to seal failures.
Space Saving
Using the Instant Pot allows you to can without needing the extra equipment of a large water bath canner.
Equipment Needed
Canning tomatoes in an Instant Pot requires some basic equipment:
Instant Pot
Any size Instant Pot will work from a 3 quart mini to an 8 quart or larger model. Just adjust the quantity of jars you process at one time to fit your model.
Canning Rack
A canning rack sits at the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot and holds the jars off the very bottom so water can circulate. Some models come with one, but separate racks can be purchased made just for Instant Pots.
Regular or Wide Mouth Canning Jars
Use pint or quart sized mason jars with a regular or wide mouth. Match the lid size to the jars. Jars need to be sterilized before each use.
Canning Lids and Bands
Use new lids each time you process jars. The bands can be reused many times unless they become bent or rusted.
Prep the Tomatoes
Start with fresh ripe tomatoes that don’t have any bruises or soft spots. Rinse them and remove the core and any blemishes.
Leave Tomatoes Whole
You can leave small grape or cherry tomatoes whole. Just wash thoroughly.
Quarter or Crush Larger Tomatoes
For regular sized slicing tomatoes, you’ll need to quarter them or crush them to fit in the jars.
Quarter tomatoes by cutting them vertically and horizontally.
For crushed tomatoes, put the quartered tomatoes in a large non reactive pot and mash them with a masher or spoon as they cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Simmer until soft, then run them through a food mill or sieve to remove skins and seeds.
Season the crushed tomatoes with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or citric acid per quart jar. Add 1 teaspoon of salt (optional).
Make Tomato Puree
For tomato puree, cook the tomatoes until very soft and then blend until smooth. Run through a sieve to remove skins and seeds. Add lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar and salt (if desired).
Fill the Jars
Preheat the jars and lids in simmering water until ready to use to sterilize them. Keep the jars hot until ready to fill.
Ladle the hot tomatoes or crushed tomato mixture into the hot jar leaving 1⁄2 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles by sliding a chopstick down the sides. Wipe the rims with a clean cloth.
Apply the hot lids and screw on bands fingertip tight. Do not over tighten.
Process in the Instant Pot
Place canning rack in the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot and add 2 cups of water.
Load filled jars onto the rack, making sure they are not touching each other. Allow at least 1 inch of space between the tops of the jars and Instant Pot lid.
Close Instant Pot lid and make sure the steam release valve is sealed. Select manual/pressure cook mode and set to 10 lbs pressure for 25 minutes for pints or 30 minutes for quarts.
When time is complete, allow pressure to release naturally until float valve drops. This will take 15-30 minutes. Carefully open the lid tilting it away from you to allow remaining steam to escape.
Cool and Test Seals
Use jar lifters to carefully remove jars from the Instant Pot and place on a towel or cutting board.
Leave jars undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check lids for a concave shape to indicate a vacuum seal. Press on the center of the lid, if it pops up and down it is not sealed.
Any unsealed jars can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or re-processed again with new lids within 24 hours. Jars with a good seal can be wiped clean and stored in a cool dark place up to a year.
Tips for Canning Tomatoes in an Instant Pot
Follow these tips for safely canning tomatoes in an Instant Pot:
– Use the proper processing time based on your altitude. Increase time if over 1000 ft elevation.
– Always start with hot jars to prevent cracking.
– Make sure tomatoes are acidic enough by adding lemon juice or citric acid.
– Adjust headspace as needed if using crushed vs quartered tomatoes.
– Wait for full natural release to normalize pressure in the jars and prevent siphoning.
– Don’t overload the Instant Pot or over tighten lids.
– Listen for the ping on cooling to indicate a vacuum seal.
Tomato Products to Try
Use your Instant Pot to make and can:
– Diced Tomatoes
– Crushed Tomatoes
– Tomato Sauce
– Tomato Paste
– Spicy Tomato Salsa
– Tomato and Veggie Soup Starter
– Seasoned Tomatoes for Cooking
– Sun Dried Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are great to have on hand for soups, stews, casseroles, pasta dishes, pizza and more all year long. The Instant Pot makes it easy to process large batches for delicious homemade tomato products your whole family will love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size jars can I use?
Use pint or quart sized canning jars. The most common sizes for tomato products are pint (16 oz) or quart (32 oz) jars. Match the jar lid size to the mouth of the jar.
How do I sterilize jars?
Sterilize canning jars by submerging them in boiling water for 10 minutes before filling. This kills any bacteria present. Keep jars hot until filling. Jars can also be run through the dishwasher on a hot sterilize cycle and then kept hot until used.
Can I double stack jars in the Instant Pot?
It is not recommended to double stack pint or quart sized canning jars in the Instant Pot. The jars need enough room for water to freely circulate around them for even heating. Stacking jars does not allow proper steam circulation.
Do I need to adjust for my altitude?
Yes, adjust processing time based on your altitude above sea level. For every 1000 feet of elevation increase pressure cooking time by 5%. Refer to a canning guide for details.
How do I know if my jars sealed properly?
Check jars after fully cooling for 12-24 hours. The lid should have a concave shape and not move when pressed. Tap the lid and listen for a ringing sound. If the lid flexes up and down, it did not seal. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used quickly.
Can I use an electric pressure cooker other than an Instant Pot?
Yes, other electric pressure cooker brands like Ninja Foodi or Mealthy can also be used. Follow manufacturer’s directions for canning. Adjust pressure and times as needed. Always use a canning rack.
Conclusion
Canning tomatoes in an Instant Pot is a fast and easy way to preserve the summer’s bounty to enjoy all year. The key steps include sterilizing jars, preparing tomatoes, processing at 10 lbs pressure for recommended time based on altitude, allowing pressure to naturally release, testing seals, and storing properly. With an Instant Pot, you can quickly make tomatoes in multiple ways from crushed, whole, sauce, salsa and more. Just adjust processing times as needed. Follow proper safety guidelines for home canning, and you’ll soon have a pantry stocked with delicious Instant Pot canned tomato goodness.