Italian Seasoned Canned Tomatoes: Easy Raw Pack Method

This easy homemade Italian seasoned canned tomato recipe is an absolute pantry essential for anyone who loves authentic Italian cooking. Whether you are preserving an abundance of garden-fresh picks or using classic plum varieties, this water bath canning recipe infuses tomatoes with a safe blend of dried basil, oregano, and savory garlic powder to create the best canned tomatoes for Italian dishes like spaghetti sauce, marinara, and hearty winter soups.

Recipe Inspiration

This past year, my tomato garden was nothing short of incredible. I have never grown so many tomatoes in my life—it was a dream come true! But with an abundance of juicy, vine-ripened tomatoes came the challenge of preserving them before they went to waste. {check out: How to Use Eggshells as Fertilizer for Healthier Tomato Plants}

So, I got busy in the kitchen, canning everything from Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce for Water Bath Canning (No Sugar, Safe & Easy) to Spicy Salsa to whole and diced tomatoes, experimenting with different blends and flavors. I even Canned Sliced Green Tomatoes in a Water Bath Canner.That’s when I decided to make these Italian seasoned canned tomatoes, and let me tell you—they’ve been a game changer! I love having canned tomatoes with herbs on hand because they make seasoning canned tomatoes for pasta sauce, soups, and stews so much easier.

What I love about this recipe is its versatility. Whenever I’m making homemade spaghetti sauce, soups, or even pizza sauce, these seasoned tomatoes cut my prep time in half. The rich flavors of basil, oregano, and garlic infuse every dish with authentic Italian goodness, making my home-cooked meals even more delicious.

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If you are new to home preservation, this raw pack method is incredibly beginner-friendly. By creating canned tomatoes packed in water, you preserve that fresh-from-the-garden texture while infusing them with delicious Italian flavor.

Ingredients Needed

• Tomatoes – I used a blend of homegrown tomato varieties: Cherokee Purple, Roma and Brandywine
• Italian Spice Blend – A fragrant mix of dried basil, dried thyme, dried oregano, dried rosemary, and dried sage
• Garlic powder – Adds a savory depth of flavor without the safety risks associated with fresh garlic cloves in water bath canning
• Hot pepper flakes – Just a pinch for a subtle, warming hint of heat
• Bottled lemon juice – An absolute must-have ingredient to safely raise the acidity level for water bath processing

Essential Equipment for Canning Tomatoes at Home

• glass canning jars
• canning lids and rings
• water bath canner
• essential canning tools (jar lifter, funnel, ladle, etc.)

How To Prep Tomatoes For Canning

This recipe uses the raw pack method, meaning we pack the raw, peeled tomatoes tightly into the jars rather than cooking them down first. Because we are using raw pack tomatoes packed in water, there’s very little prep work involved aside from quick blanching to slip the skins off!

• 💡 Pro Tip: How to Blanch Tomatoes for Canning: If you’re new to canning tomatoes, blanching is an essential step to remove the skins easily. Bring a large pot of boiling water to a rolling boil, then drop in whole tomatoes for 30-60 seconds until the skins begin to loosen. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes into cold water or an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, the skins will slide right off, making them perfect for salsa canning recipes!

Fresh tomatoes have varying pH levels that’s why it’s important to follow a tested recipe from a trusted source. I am using the recipe for Italian Spice Blend tomatoes from the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving, to ensure proper preservation. Using bottled lemon juice, citric acid, vinegar helps maintain the right acidity level, which is critical for safety reasons when using a water bath canner.

Fill The Jars

• Prepare pint-sized glass canning jars and lids according to best canning practices
• Fill each pint jar with 2 1/4 tsp of the Italian spice blend and 1 tbs bottled lemon juice
• Ladle raw, prepped tomatoes into the jars, then fill the remaining space with boiling water (raw pack packed in water method), leaving 1/2″ headspace and removing air bubbles
• Clean jar rims and add lid and metal rings

Processing Time

• Place pint jars on the canning rack in your water bath canner; jars must be covered by 1″ of water
• Process pint jars for 35 minutes once the water reaches a rolling boil, following the guidelines from the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving (Edition 37, p. 35). (Note: If you choose to use larger quart jars, follow the processing time specified in your base Ball Blue Book recipe, which is typically 45 minutes)

Expert Tips for Safe Canning

Because fresh tomatoes have varying pH levels, it is vital to prioritize home preservation safety. To guarantee a shelf-stable product, I followed the trusted recipe found in the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.

• Always Use Bottled Lemon Juice –  Fresh lemons vary in acidity. Bottled lemon juice has a standardized, uniform pH level, which ensures your tomatoes stay safe from harmful bacteria.
• Do Not Add Fresh Herbs or Fresh Garlic – Fresh garlic and raw herbs can lower the acidity of the jar and increase botulism risks in water bath canning. Stick strictly to high-quality dried spices for this specific method!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use citric acid instead of bottled lemon juice? Yes! If you prefer not to use bottled lemon juice, you can safely substitute 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid per pint jar or 1/2 teaspoon per quart jar directly to ensure safe acidity levels.
• How long do home-canned tomatoes last? For best quality, use home-canned tomatoes within 12 to 18 months. Properly sealed jars stored in a cool, dark place often remain safe longer.

How to Store & Use Canned Tomatoes for Spaghetti Sauce & More

Once the hot jars have cooled to room temperature, remove the rings from the sealed jars and store them in a dark place for the best shelf life. If a jar didn’t seal properly, refrigerate and enjoy the seasoned tomatoes within a week. {check out my Creepy Stairwell Closet Turned Pantry Food Storage}

Pasta Sauce

I love using these Italian-seasoned tomatoes in my pasta sauce. I simply open a jar and add them to my stockpot with ground Italian sausage, extra diced tomatoes, and sauce, creating a rich, flavorful spaghetti sauce every time!

Let me know how you would use these Italian seasoned canned tomatoes in the comments!

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