Canning Tomato Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long is homemade canned tomato soup good for? ›

As long as the can is in good shape, the contents should be safe to eat, although the taste, texture and nutritional value of the food can diminish over time. Home canned foods should be used within 1 year.

If the tomatoes have not been acidified prior to canning you are risking the possibility of bacterial growth, which can be fatal. If you just canned them, and they haven't been stored, you might be able to open the jars and start over, or maybe freeze them.

To ensure safe acidity in whole, crushed, or juiced tomatoes, add 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of 5 percent vinegar, or ½ teaspoon of citric acid per quart of tomatoes. For pints, use 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of 5 percent vinegar, or ¼ teaspoon of citric acid.

As a general rule of thumb, most canned foods (for example, canned tuna, soups, and vegetables) can be stored for two to five years, and high-acid foods (canned juices, tomatoes, pickles) can be stored for a year up to 18 months, according to the USDA. Watch out for dents and bulges in cans, though.

It's typically safe to eat food that's past its expiration date, with a few exceptions. If the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase.

The short answer to the question is “Yes, to ensure safety, acid in the form of lemon juice, citric acid or vinegar must be added to tomatoes that will be processed by a pressure canning option”.

Some growing conditions may cause the tomatoes to be unsafe to can even when the tomatoes look fine. Tomatoes with blight and those from dead or frost-killed vines may be lower in acidity and are more likely to carry bacteria. Do not can using the open kettle method.

Acid should be added directly to the jars before filling with product. *Note: Recipes list lemon juice or citric acid but vinegar in listed amounts may be used instead. Sugar may be added to offset the sour flavor (up to 1 teaspoon per pint or 2 teaspoons per quart).

A small pinch of baking soda will tame any unwanted acidity in the soup.

What makes tomato soup taste better? ›

Garlic: Fresh or powdered garlic adds a robust, savory flavor to tomato sauce. You can sauté minced garlic in a bit of olive oil before adding the canned sauce to release its flavors. Onion: Chopped or minced onions, whether white or red, can provide a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.

Sometimes soup just needs to simmer longer to reach the perfect consistency. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, and then taste the broth. If the soup tastes a bit watery, give it more time.

Bottled lemon juice has a consistent acidity, which is sometimes crucial to the safety of home canned products. There is quite a variation in the acid levels of fresh lemons and it's hard for the home canner to be certain, just based on taste, alone.

Each quart of tomatoes will need a teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of bottled lemon juice. Coarse kosher sat works best for canning, and using bottled lemon juice is the safest way to ensure a consistent level of acidity that will keep the jars shelf-stable.

The consensus for keeping soup in the fridge is 3 to 4 days. However I go with appearance smell and taste and generally find it's still ok for up to a week.

Canned Vegetables, Meats, and Soups

Low acid canned goods like vegetables, canned meats, and soups should be eaten within 2-3 years past their expiration date.

While canned goods past their "best-by" date may not taste optimal, there's no real health risk in consuming canned goods as long as they remain in good condition. Here's why: The food in the container is commercially sterile and a vacuum seal prevents any new bacteria from getting in, so it will not spoil.

When's the expiry on my Campbell's soup and pasta sauce? All of Campbell's canned food including soups and pasta sauces have a shelf life of at least two years.