If you’ve ever wanted to recreate the delectable flavors of your favorite pizzeria right in the comfort of your own kitchen, then this blog post is for you.
Today, we’re excited to share our tried-and-true pizza sauce canning recipe that will elevate your homemade pizzas to a whole new level. This recipe will equip you with the skills to create a savory and versatile pizza sauce that will elevate your homemade pizzas to a whole new level.
From the rich aroma of simmering tomatoes to the burst of flavor in each bite, get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress family and friends with your homemade pizza creations. Let’s dive into the art of pizza sauce canning!
Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Canning Recipe
Sometimes you want to whip up a quick pizza without having to make a trip to the grocery store for pre-made sauce. That’s where this easy homemade Pizza Sauce Canning recipe comes in handy.
You can easily create a delicious and flavorful sauce with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. No need for preservatives or additives, just pure, natural ingredients that will have your pizza tasting like it came straight from Italy.
Ingredients Used
- Ripe Tomatoes: provide the fresh, tangy base that’s essential for any good pizza sauce.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the garlic and spices, olive oil adds a depth of flavor and contributes to the sauce’s silky consistency.
- Garlic Cloves: A key aromatic garlic cloves add a sharpness and depth that complements the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Peppercorns: Crush them slightly before adding them to the sauce to release their spicy notes without overwhelming the other flavors.
- Sugar: A pinch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, rounding out the overall taste of the sauce.
- Parsley (chopped): Fresh parsley adds a burst of color and a fresh, herbaceous layer to the sauce.
- Oregano (ground), Basil (ground), and Rosemary: These dried herbs contribute to the quintessential Italian flavor profile, each adding its own distinct notes – oregano’s boldness, basil’s sweetness, and rosemary’s piney aroma.
- Sea Salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the sauce.
- Bottled Lemon Juice: Its high acidity ensures the sauce’s safe preservation and adds a bright, tangy finish that complements the tomatoes’ sweetness.
Recommended Supplies
- 5-6 pint mason jars (plus a few 1/2 pint jars for smaller batches): These jars are ideal for storing your homemade pizza sauce. The smaller jars are perfect for when you only need a little sauce, preventing waste.
- Water Bath Canner: A crucial tool for canning, the water bath canner heats jars to the necessary temperature to ensure food safety, effectively preserving the sauce.
- Jar Lids and Rings: Essential for creating an airtight seal, the lids and rings keep your pizza sauce fresh and prevent contamination.
- Canning Kit: This kit typically includes a jar lifter, funnel, lid lifter, and bubble remover/headspace tool. Each tool plays a specific role in the canning process:
- Jar Lifter: Used to remove hot jars from the canner safely.
- Funnel: Allows for clean and easy transfer of sauces into jars.
- Lid Lifter: Assists in placing lids on jars while keeping them sterile by avoiding direct contact.
- Bubble Remover/Headspace Tool: Ensures proper sauce level in jars and removes air bubbles, which are crucial for preventing jar breakage and ensuring a proper seal.
Detailed Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Tomatoes
Wash, blanch, peel, and puree the tomatoes. Ensure you have all your tomatoes processed before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Sautéing the Aromatics
In a large metal stockpot, sauté minced onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until they are translucent and tender. This step is crucial for building the flavor base of your sauce.
Step 3: Combining the Base
Add the tomato puree to the sautéed aromatics in the stockpot, mixing well to ensure that the flavors begin to meld together.
Step 4: Adding Spices and Herbs
- Stir in all dry ingredients, including ground oregano, basil, rosemary, sugar, sea salt, and crushed peppercorns.
- Mix thoroughly to distribute the spices and herbs evenly throughout the sauce.
Step 5: Simmering the Sauce
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a medium-low simmer.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 2+ hours or until it reduces by at least half. This concentration step is essential for achieving a thick sauce consistency.
Step 6: Preparing for Canning
- Add bottled lemon juice to hot, sterile jars. This step ensures the sauce maintains a safe pH level for canning.
- Then, ladle the sauce into the jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
Step 7: Sealing the Jars
- Clean the rim of each jar with a damp cloth to ensure a clean sealing surface.
- Place the lid on each jar, securing it with the ring until it is finger-tight.
Step 8: Processing in Water Bath Canner
- Place the filled jars in the water bath canner, making sure they are completely submerged.
- Bring the water to a boil and process the jars for 25 minutes to sterilize the contents and seal the jars.
Step 9: Cooling and Storing
- Remove the jars from the canner and place them on a towel on the countertop.
- Allow them to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check the seals before labeling and storing the jars. If the lid has not been sealed properly, refrigerate the sauce and use it within a week.
How Do You Thicken Homemade Pizza Sauce Canning?
If you want your homemade Pizza Sauce Canning to have a thicker consistency, there are a few methods you can use during the cooking process.
- Simmering: The most natural method involves simmering the sauce uncovered over low heat. This allows excess water to evaporate, concentrating the sauce’s flavors and thickening its texture. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.
- Tomato Paste: For a quicker solution, adding tomato paste can significantly thicken your sauce. Start with a small amount, as it’s concentrated and can alter the flavor of your sauce.
- Cornstarch Slurry: Mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water in a separate bowl until it forms a smooth paste. Gradually stir this slurry into the simmering sauce to thicken it.
- Reducing: If you’ve already added all your seasonings and wish not to alter the sauce’s flavor, consider further reducing the sauce. This method concentrates both the flavor and texture without the addition of extra ingredients.
Choose a method that best suits your flavor and texture preference for your homemade pizza sauce.
How Long Is Pizza Sauce Good For?
When you properly can your homemade pizza sauce, it can last up to a year in a cool and dark pantry. Once opened, use the sauce within 7-10 days if stored in the fridge.
If you want to freeze your pizza sauce instead of canning it, it will last for up to six months in the freezer. Be sure to use an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
Properly canned and stored pizza sauce is a delicious and convenient addition to your pantry. So why not try making your own?
Conclusion
In summary, the Pizza Sauce Canning recipe is a simple and effective way to preserve your homemade sauce for up to a year. With the right tools and ingredients, you can easily master the art of canning and enjoy flavorful pizza sauce all year round.
Experiment with different spices and herbs to personalize your sauce according to your taste preferences. Happy canning!
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Pizza Sauce Canning Recipe
Ingredients
- Ripe Tomatoes: 10 pounds approximately 30 medium-sized tomatoes
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic Cloves: 6 cloves minced
- Peppercorns: 1 teaspoon slightly crushed
- Sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Parsley chopped: 1/4 cup
- Oregano ground: 1 tablespoon
- Basil ground: 1 tablespoon
- Rosemary: 1 teaspoon if using fresh, 1 tablespoon finely chopped
- Sea Salt: 1 tablespoon adjust to taste
- Bottled Lemon Juice: 1/4 cup
Instructions
- Step 1: Tomato Preparation: Blanch, peel, and puree ripe tomatoes to form the base of the sauce.
- Step 2: Cooking Aromatics: Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil to create a flavorful foundation.
- Step 3: Combining Ingredients: Mix the tomato puree with the sautéed aromatics to start building the sauce's flavor profile.
- Step 4: Adding Flavor: Incorporate herbs, and spices like oregano, basil, and rosemary, along with sugar and sea salt, into the sauce for depth of flavor.
- Step 5: Thickening the Sauce: Simmer the sauce over medium-low heat until it reduces by half, achieving the desired thickness.
- Step 6: Canning Preparation: To each sterilized jar, add lemon juice before filling with sauce to maintain safe acidity levels.
- Step 7: Jar Sealing: After filling, wipe jar rims clean and seal with lids and rings, tightening to be finger tight.
- Step 8: Water Bath Processing: Submerge jars in a water bath canner and boil for 25 minutes to sterilize and seal them.
- Step 9: Cooling and Storage: Post-processing, allow jars to cool, check seals, label, and store for future use.