15 of the Best Canning Tomatoes You Should Grow

Are you excited about preserving the vibrant taste of summer tomatoes to enjoy all year round? Canning tomatoes is a fantastic way to capture that fresh, garden-grown flavor and ensure you have delicious sauces, soups, and salsas whenever you crave them. But to get the best results from your canning efforts, it’s essential to choose the right varieties of tomatoes. Certain types are better suited for canning due to their flavor, texture, and low moisture content, which make them ideal for cooking down into rich, flavorful preserves.

In this guide, we’ll explore 15 of the best canning tomatoes that should be on your gardening list. From classic favorites to unique heirlooms, these varieties offer everything you need to make your canning sessions a success. Let’s get started!

1. Roma VF

If you’re serious about canning, Roma VF is a must-have in your garden. Known for its meaty texture and low moisture content, this variety is perfect for making tomato sauces and pastes. The Roma VF is also resistant to common tomato diseases, ensuring a bountiful harvest with fewer issues. Its rich, tangy flavor and dense flesh make it a reliable choice for any home canner.

2. San Marzano

For those who love authentic Italian flavor, San Marzano tomatoes are a top choice. Hailing from the region around Naples, these tomatoes are prized for their sweet taste and low acidity, making them ideal for sauces and salsas. Their dense, meaty flesh holds up well during cooking, resulting in a smooth, rich sauce that captures the essence of traditional Italian cuisine.

3. Brandywine

While Brandywine tomatoes are often celebrated for their exceptional fresh taste, they also make excellent candidates for canning. This heirloom variety produces large, juicy fruits with a robust flavor that shines through in sauces and stews. Though they have a higher moisture content than some other canning varieties, their rich, complex taste makes them worth the extra effort.

4. Juliet

Juliet tomatoes are a cherry tomato variety known for their incredible flavor and firm texture. Although they’re smaller than traditional canning tomatoes, their sweetness and resilience make them a great addition to your preserves. Juliet tomatoes hold their shape well, making them perfect for adding a burst of flavor to sauces and salads.

5. Amish Paste

Amish Paste tomatoes are an heirloom variety with a rich, tangy flavor and meaty texture that is perfect for canning. These tomatoes are larger than standard paste varieties, making them ideal for making chunky sauces and salsas. Their low moisture content and hearty flesh ensure that your preserves have the perfect consistency.

6. Roma VF II

An improved version of the original Roma, the Roma VF II offers all the benefits of its predecessor with added resistance to additional diseases. This variety is known for its rich flavor, firm texture, and low moisture content, making it ideal for a variety of canning applications, from sauces to pastes.

7. Carmello

Carmello tomatoes are a French variety known for their sweet flavor and meaty texture. Their dense, thick flesh makes them a great choice for canning, as they produce a rich, flavorful sauce that is less watery than many other varieties. Additionally, Carmello plants are known for their high yield and disease resistance.

8. Opalka

Opalka tomatoes are a Polish heirloom with a distinctive, elongated shape and rich, complex flavor. These tomatoes are particularly well-suited for making sauces due to their dense, meaty flesh and low moisture content. Their deep, sweet flavor makes them a favorite among home canners looking for a unique twist on traditional tomato preserves.

9. Yellow Pear

If you’re looking for a splash of color in your canned goods, Yellow Pear tomatoes are a fun and flavorful option. These small, yellow tomatoes have a mild, sweet taste and are perfect for adding a bright, tangy flavor to sauces and salsas. Their firm texture ensures they hold up well during cooking and canning.

10. Green Zebra

Green Zebra tomatoes bring a unique twist to your canning routine with their striking green and yellow stripes. This variety offers a tangy, slightly spicy flavor that adds depth to your tomato preserves. Although they have a higher moisture content than some other canning varieties, their vibrant color and distinct taste make them a standout choice.

11. Big Mama

Big Mama tomatoes are known for their large size and meaty texture, making them ideal for canning. These Italian paste tomatoes are excellent for making thick, hearty sauces and salsas. Their low moisture content and rich, robust flavor ensure that your preserves will be flavorful and well-textured.

12. Prudens Purple

Prudens Purple tomatoes are an heirloom variety that produces large, juicy fruits with a sweet, rich flavor. Their dense, meaty flesh makes them suitable for canning, although they do have a higher moisture content than some paste varieties. The unique color and robust taste of Prudens Purple tomatoes make them a delightful addition to your canning collection.

13. Black Krim

Black Krim tomatoes are an heirloom variety known for their deep, complex flavor and unique dark color. These tomatoes have a slightly higher moisture content but produce a rich, flavorful sauce with a distinctive taste. Their impressive flavor profile makes them a popular choice for those looking to add depth to their canned tomato products.

14. Sungold

Sungold tomatoes are a cherry variety renowned for their exceptional sweetness and vibrant orange color. Although they are smaller than traditional canning tomatoes, their intense flavor makes them a fantastic choice for adding a burst of sweetness to sauces and salsas. Sungold tomatoes hold up well during cooking, making them a versatile option for your preserves.

15. Mariana

Mariana tomatoes are a less common but highly effective variety for canning. They produce medium-sized fruits with a sweet, tangy flavor and dense, meaty flesh. This makes them ideal for creating well-textured sauces and salsas. Mariana plants are also known for their high yields and resilience, making them a reliable choice for home canners.

Choosing the right tomatoes for canning is crucial for achieving the best flavor and texture in your preserved goods. Each of the varieties listed here offers unique benefits, from rich, meaty textures to exceptional flavors that enhance your sauces, salsas, and soups. By incorporating these top canning tomatoes into your garden, you can ensure a successful canning season and enjoy the taste of summer all year long.