Big Batch Salsa (For Canning)

Submitted by CindyMarie

"My mom and I have made this salsa for years. This is the easiest way to can a big batch of salsa. Instead of cooking pots full of salsa on the stove and worrying that it will scorch on the bottom, this method slowly simmers one batch in an 18 qt. electric roaster (a church dinner style roaster). This is a thick, medium heat salsa that is slightly sweet. It is a staple in my holiday gift baskets. In fact, I get complaints from friends, family, and neighbors when I do not include it or if I run out before the next canning season! This year I made four batches - 52 quarts."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Yields: 12 Quart
• Serves: 104

ingredients

• 14190.0 ml tomatoes, cored, peeled, and crushed (about 1 1/2 to 2, 5-gallon buckets of tomatoes)
• 1419.54 ml onions, chopped (about 4 large onions)
• 473.18 ml jalapeno peppers, chopped (25-30 peppers, seeded)
• 12 garlic cloves, minced
• 414.03 ml white vinegar
• 177.44 ml sugar
• 59.16 ml salt
• 850.48 g tomato paste

directions

1. Fill roaster with tomatoes, crushing with hands or with an emersion blender as you add them to the pan.
2. Add onions, jalapenos, garlic, vinegar, sugar, salt, and tomato paste. (Note: Sometimes I need to let the tomatoes cook down before adding the sugar, vinegar, and tomato paste so that it will fit in the roaster.
3. Simmer 2 to 5 hours to desired thickness. Stir occasionally, scraping sides of roaster so that it does not burn. Adjust salt, sugar, and peppers to taste. You can add tomato juice if it becomes too thick.
4. Ladle hot salsa into jars, leaving ¼-inch head space.
5. Clean rim with damp cloth. Adjust two-piece caps.
6. Place jars in a hot water bath. Process 15 minutes (pints) or 20 minutes (quarts), after water comes to a boil.
7. Remove jars from hot water bath. After 12 hours, check seal, remove bands, and label.

Reviews

[tiffany.bertling]

I hate to ask but need to save time - possible to use canned tomatoes?

 

[Chef Cameo]

Thanks for posting this "easy" method to can such a big batch of salsa. I would have never thought to use my nesco but it was perfect for such a large batch which yeilded 12-1/2 quarts. It was just a teensy sweet for us so next time I'll use less sugar but otherwise, I added my personal touch using red bell peppers, cilantro and cumin. I also used equal amounts of "concentrated" lime juice in place of the vinegar. Perfect!

 

[Lynn T.]

I do 1/2 of the recipe in my slow cooker- works great!

 

[cclattery1]

Love this recipe and have made it for years! I cheat a little and use 5 big cans of diced tomatoes from Costco and add cilantro and cumin. Family favorite! The big roaster is such a great idea.

 

[louicewolf]

Oh this is the best salsa so far on the net I did change it a bit will let you know how it turns out