Today I'm going to show you the steps for how to peel tomatoes as a way to preserve the fresh taste of summer all year long.
With this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to prepare fresh tomatoes for canning, homemade sauces, or adding to your favorite recipes.
This process requires little effort, but the results are amazing!
You can easily create a delicious homemade marinara sauce as a part of your Weekly Meal Plan for a satisfying dinner.
With a few simple tricks, you can peel tomatoes quickly and easily—then use them in your favorite recipes.
Once peeled, you can either can them as they are or prepare an easy Canned Marinara Sauce recipe.
Looking for more Family Dinner Ideas that use fresh peeled tomatoes? Try my Homemade Marinara Sauce with Meatballs, Pioneer Woman Salsa Recipe or my Pasta Fagioli Soup.
Table of Contents
- Canning for Beginners eBook – Available Now!
- Peeling Tomatoes for Canning
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Easiest Way to Peel Tomatoes for Canning
- How Long to Boil Tomatoes to Peel?
- How to Skin Tomatoes for Canning
- How to Store Peeled Tomatoes?
- Can you Freeze Tomatoes?
- Easy Way to Can Tomatoes
- Recipe FAQ's
- Canning for Beginners eBook – Available Now!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Helpful Resources for Canning Tomatoes
- 💬 Comments
Canning for Beginners eBook – Available Now!
Instant download—learn the basics of canning and start preserving fresh foods today!
Peeling Tomatoes for Canning
- The most common and efficient way to peel tomatoes is with the blanching method.
- My cousin Traciene taught me this technique over 20 years ago.
- In her “Italian kitchen” in the basement, she showed me how to simmer pots of water and slip the skins off fresh tomatoes with ease.
- She also taught me how to preserve tomatoes in mason jars using the water bath method—a tradition I still treasure today.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Step-by-Step Instructions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Easiest Way to Peel Tomatoes for Canning
Step 1: Prepare the tomatoes by giving them a good wash. Bring a large pot of water to boil on the stove top. Place a small "X" in the bottom of each tomato. Submerge a few of the tomatoes at a time in the boiling water. Allow the tomatoes to boil for 30 seconds.
How Long to Boil Tomatoes to Peel?
Step 2: Submerge a few of the tomatoes at a time in the boiling water. Allow the tomatoes to boil for 30 seconds then immediately place the tomatoes in a bowl of ice water.
How to Skin Tomatoes for Canning
Step 3: Gently lift the tomato out of the ice water. Find the "x" and start peeling back the skin. Look how easy it comes off! At this step, you can either place the tomatoes in mason jars and proceed with the canning process according to the manufacturer's directions. You can also place the cooked tomatoes in freezer-safe containers.
How to Store Peeled Tomatoes?
Refrigerator: Place peeled tomatoes in an airtight container or a zip-top bag with the air squeezed out. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It's best to use them quickly as the flavor and texture can start to deteriorate.
Can you Freeze Tomatoes?
Freezer: You can also freeze the peel tomatoes in airtight containers or freezer bags. Frozen tomatoes will last for 6-12 months. You can freeze peeled tomatoes whole, chopped, or pureed. However, thawed tomatoes may not have the same appealing texture as fresh ones.
Easy Way to Can Tomatoes
I like to can my home-grown tomatoes because it keeps their fresh flavor better than freezing and allows them to be stored at room temperature for months.
If you decide to can the tomatoes, make sure you follow the complete instructions for canning tomatoes using the water bath method or check out my new eBook on The Beginner's Guide to Canning and Preserving.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the plus sign (+) next to each question.
Place tomatoes into boiling water and let them simmer for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. The exact time may vary based on the tomato's size and ripeness.
The easiest way to remove skin from tomatoes is to boil the tomatoes for about 30 seconds. First place an X in the bottom of each tomato, then place in boiling water. Add the tomatoes immediately to cold, ice water and then you'll be able to easily slip the skin off of the tomatoes.
Canning for Beginners eBook – Available Now!
Instant download—learn the basics of canning and start preserving fresh foods today!
📖 Recipe Card
How to Peel, Cook and Preserve Fresh Tomatoes
Ingredients
Equipment
Video
Method
- Wash the tomatoes.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil on the stove top.
- Place a small "X" in the bottom of each tomato and submerge in boiling water for 30 seconds.
- Immediately remove the tomatoes from the hot water and place in a bowl of ice water.
- Carefully pick up a tomato and begin to pull the outer layer of skin off. The outer layer of skin comes off very easily.
- Place the peeled tomatoes in a blender or food processor or you can roughly chop them by hand.
- Place the processed tomatoes into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. You can also cook them in a large stock pot on top of the stove for up to 2 hours depending again on how thick or thin you like your sauce.
- Cooking the tomatoes longer will give you a much thicker sauce.
- Once your tomatoes have simmered down in the crock pot, you have two preservation options: the hot water bath method with sterilized jars, or freezing in airtight containers.
- Follow my instructions for Canning Marinara Sauce if you would like to process the tomatoes.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Helpful Resources for Canning Tomatoes
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This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2014 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Anonymous says
this method works with peaches as well!
Cynthia Landrie says
You peeled many more tomatoes than I did! Thanks for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party!
Kimberly Lewis says
Great post.Looks so good! Pinned. We appreciate you being a part of our party. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. We love to party with you! Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Maria says
Oh wow... those tomatoes look BEAUTIFUL! And a great way to peel them!
Tracy Fredrychowski says
Peeling tomatoes is so easy this way...I use this method for peaches as well.
jayashree says
Useful tip..I do it this way and it's very easy. Stopping to say hello
Julie V says
Well, that looks easy! Thanks for sharing a simple way to do a normally obnoxious task.
Joanne DiPalo says
Great tip for peeling tomatoes. Your harvest looks awesome. It's great to have fresh tomatoes all year.
Catherine says
Dear Lois, You certainly had a good harvest!! Not so much luck here though. This is a helpful and good tip. You will have lots of delicious sauce over the cold winter months.
I hope all is well. Blessings dear. Catherine