Hi Sharon!

Thanks for reaching out — that’s a great question, and I’m glad you checked before trying it.

For salsa that is processed in a boiling (hot water) bath, the answer is no, it should not be canned without cooking first. All research tested salsa recipes (from Ball, university Extension programs, and the National Center for Home Food Preservation) require the salsa to be cooked/simmered before it goes into the jars.

Cooking the salsa before canning is important because it:

• Ensures even heat penetration during processing

• Helps achieve the tested acidity level throughout the jar

• Is part of how the recipe was safety tested for water bath canning

Skipping the cooking step could result in an unsafe product. In addition, placing cooler jars into a hot canner after preheating them can create a sudden temperature change, which may increase the risk of jar breakage.

About blending tomatoes: Research tested salsa recipes specify how the vegetables are prepared (chopped, diced, etc.). Blending tomatoes in a blender like a Magic Bullet changes the texture and density, which can affect how heat moves through the jar. Because of that, blended salsa should only be canned if the tested recipe specifically allows for it. If you wish to blend the tomatoes, freezing the salsa is the safest option. You could also blend the salsa when you open the jar, before serving.

As a reminder, all canning recipes should come from research tested sources, like Ball, Extension programs or the National Center for Home Food Preservation. These recipes have been extensively tested for acidity, heat penetration, timing, water activity and other safety factors.

I was not immediately able to find a research based, tested recipe that used blended tomatoes, but I am still looking and have reached out to my colleagues to see if they are aware of any.

Sincerely,

Tara Hovis

Food Safety Educator, MSU Extension 

Not a problem, that's what we are here for! 

My colleague suggested one more resource to check, that I actually have at home, so I am going to do that this evening. 

Tara