Better-Than-Canned Stewed Tomatoes Recipe

For this recipe, freshness is key! Why enjoy something out of the can when you can make it on your own in a short amount of time? This recipe for stewed tomatoes is fresh and much better than something that's been sitting on the shelf at a grocery store for months. It's a must-try if you use stewed tomatoes in chili, pasta, or any other dish. Another plus is that you can make this recipe ahead of time and freeze it for 3-4 months.

Recipe developer Patterson Watkins is the brains behind this easy recipe that is good for the tomato lover in all of us. "Fresh tomatoes are slow cooked with green bell peppers, celery, salt, pepper, and a little bit of sugar to release all those fabulous tomatoey flavors," Watkins raves. "This process of stewing tomatoes is a great way to preserve your tomatoes without all the fuss of canning and processing. I love using my homemade stewed tomatoes to make my family's favorite, country captain — a braised chicken dish combining stewed tomatoes and curry)." 

She also shares why this version is so much better than canned tomatoes. "Making your own stewed tomatoes is a surefire way to ensure you're getting only the finest ingredients, avoiding those questionable preservatives from store-bought canned stewed tomatoes," Watkins says.

This recipe is pretty simple, and you will only need a few ingredients to make it. First and foremost, be sure to grab a few Roma tomatoes. "Roma tomatoes are my preferred mater as they are relatively uniform in size and don't contain as much liquid as other larger tomatoes," Watkins shares. Then, get sliced celery, diced green bell pepper, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. 

Once you have those things, you can make this better-than-canned stewed tomatoes.

To prepare the tomatoes for blanching, score the bottom of them with an "X" and remove the core.

Then, fill a large pot about ¾ full with hot water. Place it on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Once you see bubbles reach the surface, transfer the tomatoes to the pot and boil for 30 to 60 seconds or until the tomato skins begin to crack. 

"Blanching (quickly boiling and then cooling) is the technique we used to remove the skins from the tomatoes without damaging the tasty pulp," Watkins says of the secret method. "The reason we remove the tomato skins is mainly for texture consistency. The tomato skins also contain a nutrient called flavonols, which impart a bitter flavor if not removed." 

Use a slotted spoon to remove the tomatoes from the boiling water and place them in a large bow that's filled with ice water to blanch them. 

Once the tomatoes are cool enough to work with, remove the skins and discard them since you won't need them at any point. Then, place the tomatoes on a cutting board and slice them into 1-inch slices.

Add your veggies to the same pot you used to boil the tomatoes. This includes sliced tomatoes, sliced celery, and diced green bell peppers. Give the mixture a few good stirs to combine. Turn the heat to medium-low and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Once it begins to simmer, cook together for 30 minutes. You won't need to cover the pot with a lid — but make sure to stir occasionally. Once the peppers and celery are tender, that's another good indicator that these are good to go. "Slowly simmering these stewed tomatoes will allow them to maintain their form, try not to boil or you'll get something more akin to stewed marinara," Watkins points out. 

Remove the tomatoes from the heat and let them cool. Once cooled, transfer them to a sealable container or zipper bag if you plan to store them in the freezer. Once frozen, they will last 3 to 4 months, which makes them good to make ahead of time. 

"Love me some stewed tomatoes with cheesy grits or buttery rice for a super simple side dish," Watkins says of potential serving suggestions. "They are also fabulous in sauces, like country captain or chicken cacciatore."