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Rotel-Style Tomatoes and Green Chilies Canning Recipe

Rotel is a great pantry staple for spicing up Mexican foods. Learn how to make your own tomatoes and green chilies to suit your taste and preserve them using a pressure canner.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time10 minutes
Canning Time15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Canning
Cuisine: American
Keyword: canning rotel tomatoes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 25kcal
Author: Grow a Good Life

Ingredients

  • 16 cups peeled, cored, seeded, and chopped ripe tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped green chili peppers
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro optional for flavor
  • 1/2 teaspoon canning salt optional for flavor
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder optional for flavor
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder optional for flavor

Instructions

Prepare the Canning Equipment:

  • Wash the jars, canning lids, and rings in hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Set the lids and bands aside until you are ready to use them.
  • Place the jar rack into the pressure canner, and fill with water per your pressure canner manufacturer's instructions: Presto is 3 quarts, Mirro is 2 quarts, and All American is 2 to 3 inches.
  • Fill the jars halfway with hot water, and then place them on the rack in the canner. Bring the canner to a simmer for 10 minutes (180˚F). Keep hot until you are ready to fill them.

Simmer the Tomatoes and Chilies:

  • Add the prepared tomatoes, peppers, onions, cilantro, salt, garlic powder, and cumin to a large saucepot, and stir to combine.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat, and simmer (180˚F) for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Can the Tomatoes and Green Chilies:

  • Lay a towel on the counter. Use your jar lifter to remove a jar from the canner. Pour out the water (save it for washing dishes), and place the jar on the towel. Keep the remaining jars in the canner so they stay hot.
  • Use your canning funnel and ladle to fill the jar with the hot mixture, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
  • Remove air bubbles with the bubble popper, wipe the rim to remove any residue, center a lid on the jar, and screw on a band until it is fingertip tight. Use the jar lifter to place the jar back into the canner and repeat with the remaining jars.
  • Place the lid on the canner and lock it. Leave the vent open, adjust the heat to medium-high, and bring the canner to a boil. Allow the pressure canner to vent steam for 10 minutes, place the pressure regulator on top of the air vent, and let the pressure rise.
  • Once the canner has reached the correct pressure (10 pounds for weighted gauge and 11 pounds for dial gauge pressure canner), set a timer and process half pint and pint jars for 15 minutes at altitudes of less than 1,000 ft.
  • Adjust altitude if necessary (see chart below), and regulate the heat as needed to maintain a steady pressure.
  • When the processing time is complete, turn off the heat, and let the pressure canner cool down to 0 pressure. Once the canner is depressurized, let the canner cool additional 10 minutes before removing the lid.
  • Spread a dry towel on the counter, unlock the cover, and remove it by tilting the lid away from you so that steam does not burn your face.
  • Allow another 10 minutes for the jars to adjust to the change in pressure. Then, if the jars are still boiling vigorously, let them sit in the canner for another 5 minutes or until the boiling slows.
  • Use the jar lifter to lift jars carefully from the canner and place them on the towel. Keep the jars upright, and don't tighten bands or check the seals yet. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours to cool.
  • After 12 to 24 hours, check to be sure jar lids have sealed by pushing on the center. The cover should not pop up. The jar failed to seal if the top flexes up and down. Refrigerate the jar and use it up within a few days.
  • Remove the screw-on bands and wash the jars in warm soapy water. Label, date, and store the jars in a cool, dark place for 12 to 18 months. Once the jar is open, refrigerate and use up within a week. Yields 12 half pints or 6 pints.

Notes

This recipe is a tested safe canning recipe from the So Easy to Preserve book page 59-60. Changing the recipe may make the product unsafe for canning.
All times are at an elevation of less than 1,000 ft. Make adjustments for altitudes greater than 1,000 ft. using the chart below.
I am happy to answer any questions, but if you need immediate canning help or answers, please get in touch with your local extension office.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1.2g | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 3.6g | Calcium: 12mg