How Many Quart Jars Do I Need to Can a Bushel of Tomatoes?

Approximately 15 to 20 quart jars are required to can a bushel of tomatoes. Variation in the quantity produced by one bushel results from differences in quality of the tomatoes. One bushel of tomatoes weighs about 53 pounds, but some of the tomatoes in the bushel might not be fit for human consumption.

To can tomatoes, a small batch of fresh tomatoes is washed and submerged in boiling water for about 30 seconds or until the skin begins to separate from the flesh of the fruit. The tomatoes are then transferred to an ice bath, which halts the cooking process and allows the tomatoes to be easily handled. The skin is then peeled away, the core removed and the remaining fruit and juice are strained into a quart jar.