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Subing store canned tomatoes for fresh in home canning #865044

Asked April 18, 2024, 9:20 PM EDT

Can I, in any tested canning recipe…substitute store canned tomatoes for fresh tomatoes?

Douglas County Oregon

Expert Response

It is not safe to substitute commercially canned tomatoes in tomato recipes you plan to can unless the recipe specifies already canned tomatoes.  There is a recipe for an Easy hot sauce that was tested using commercially canned diced tomatoes.  https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can/how-do-i-can-tomatoes/easy-hot-sauce/#gsc.tab=0

For one thing, the density of already canned tomatoes could be different so can't guarantee the research-based processing time which used fresh tomatoes would be adequate and could compromise the safety of the product.  If you want to freeze the product it would be safe to use canned tomatoes.

Thanks for using Ask Extension

Nellie Oehler 
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2024, 6:06 PM EDT

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