Canning Tomatillos

Canning Tomatillos is an easy job that will use up a lot of your crop in one easy task. They have so many uses all year long.

What are tomatillos

Tomatillos, aka Mexican husk tomatoes are not actually green tomatoes. They are a fruit, like tomatoes, in the nightshade family. They’re also related to eggplant, gooseberries and others.

They are grown extensively in Mexico and South America but will grow well in northern gardens, if they are planted as seedlings.

They’re an easy crop to grow. They are susceptible to few diseases and insects.

They like full sun and a fertile, well drained soil.

What you need

• tomatillos
• lemon juice – always use bottled lemon juice for canning.

How to make it

Step Seven. Remove air bubbles with bubble tool or plastic or wooden chopsticks.

Step Eight. Wipe rim with damp paper towel or damp cloth.

Step Nine. Center lids on jars. Screw on bands fingertip tight.

Step Ten– Add jars to hot water bath canning pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and low boil for 10 minutes.

Step Eleven– Remove from heat. Let jars cool in the canning pot for 5-10 minutes. Remove from canning pot with jar lifter. Place on counter on a kitchen towel. Leave undisturbed for 12-24 hours.

Step Twelve– Test lids. Lids should not flex up or down when pressed in center. If they do, they are not properly sealed and should be reprocessed with a new lid or refrigerated and used first.

Pro tips for your success

• Don’t overcook the fruit, like I did here. It will fall apart. Just cook it until they change color. Five to ten minutes, depending on the size.
• Make sure to process for proper time for your altitude.
• Allow jars to rest in the hot water for 5-10 minutes after processing.
• If you would like to roast the tomatillos first, you can. Many recipes call for roasted tomatillos. Place tomatillos on a rack placed over roasting pans. Broil or roast on high heat, turning often, until the skin blisters and the fruit turns yellowish green. Then process as normal.

How to use canned whole tomatillos

Use tomatillos in all of your favorite Mexican dishes for a different twist on taco Tuesday.

• Salsa Verde / Tomatillo Salsa
• Pozole
• Tacos, burritos, quesadillas and fajitas
• Use them for a tomatillo shakshuka or chilaquiles instead of red sauce
• Green Enchiladas
• Use them for a spicy green shrimp with tomatillo salsa
• Make green chili, especially with chicken or pork, instead of red tomato chili

Pro- Tip: When canning, choose a reputable source for your recipe. The National Center for Home Food Preservation is one and the other is the USDA Complete Guide to Canning.

All of the recipes on this site are based on one or both of these trusted sources. We just do a more thorough job showing you how to do it, step by step.

Helpful tools

• canning jars
• canning pot
• Canning tool set
• pint jars
• quart jars

Canning tomatillos is an easy job and will pay dividends throughout the year when stored in your pantry. The flavor is so much better than store bought!

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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!

Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

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Originally published September 6 2022.