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How To Pickle Cherry Tomatoes: Easy Recipe, Tips, And Troubleshooting

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Not sure about canned pickled cherry tomatoes? Let us change your mind! These sweet, tangy, flavor-packed bites are perfect for just about everything. Need a bright pop of color for your charcuterie board? These little gems deliver. Want to wow your guests with something unique on your holiday table? Just pull out a jar of these pickled beauties, and watch everyone reach for seconds.

What makes this cherry tomatoes recipe stand out is the fresh, simple ingredients that bring it all together. Garlic, dill, parsley, and whole black pepper add incredible aromas to every jar, while honey and sugar balance the tang of white vinegar. You’ll have pickling brine so delicious, that you might find yourself sipping it straight from the jar!

Still feel unsure, or wondering how to pickle cherry tomatoes? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with our canned cherry tomatoes recipe. This beginner-friendly pickling recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to make you feel like a canning pro.

Cherry Tomatoes vs. Grape Tomatoes: Which is Better for Canning?

Cherry and grape tomatoes might look alike, but they have some big differences that can change how your canned tomatoes turn out. Let’s break it down so you can pick the best option for this recipe.

  • Cherry tomatoes are small, round, and super juicy. They’re naturally sweet and have thin skin, which means they soak up the brine really well. If you’re looking for bold flavors and softer tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are perfect for pickling and canning. To make this canning recipe we used cherry tomatoes.
  • Grape tomatoes, on the other hand, are oval-shaped and firmer, with thicker skins. They aren’t as juicy and have a milder flavor. Because of their firm texture, they hold their shape better when cooked or canned. If you like your tomatoes to stay intact and less watery, grape tomatoes is a better choice.

A secret to making just the right amount of brine

We’ve got a secret to help you make the just the right amount of pickling brine. Forget about guessing how much brine you need based on the weight of your tomatoes—that often leads to having too much or too little.
Instead, try this: Fill your jars with the spices, aromatics, and tomatoes first. Then, measure out the brine based on how many jars you’ve filled. This way, you’ll waste less sugar, salt, and vinegar and get the perfect amount of brine every time.

Important Note About Jars for Canning Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are delicate and can easily fall apart or turn mushy if you process them for too long. To avoid this, we used 16 oz. (500 ml) Mason jars to can pickled cherry tomatoes. Smaller jars require less processing time, which helps keep the canned cherry tomatoes firm and flavorful.

Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Preparation steps:

pickled cherry tomatoes recipe ingredients
prepare aromatics and spices for pickled cherry tomato recipe
prepare aromatics and spices for pickled cherry tomatoes recipe
add ingredients to canning jars
add ingredients to canning jars
we let tomatoes sit in freshly boiled water before canning
we let tomatoes sit in freshly boiled water before canning
pour out water from the jar and use it to make pickling brine
sugar, salt and honey must be dissolved first
sugar, salt and honey must be dissolved in water
to make canned cherry tomatoes pour hot brine into thepacked jars
to make canned cherry tomatoes pour hot brine into the packed jars
we canned cherry tomatoes using atmospheric steam canner
we canned our cherry tomatoes using atmospheric steam canner

Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Preserve Recipe

This pickled cherry tomato recipe combines the sweetness of honey and sugar with the tang of white vinegar, creating a perfectly balanced brine. Infused with garlic, black pepper, fresh parsley, and dill florets, these bite-sized gems are vibrant, flavorful, and a stunning addition to any charcuterie board or holiday table.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
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Ingredients

The brine amount depends on how many jars you’re using, not the weight of the tomatoes. Multiply the ingredients below by the number of jars you plan to fill. To fill one 16 oz. (500 ml.) jar you will need approximately ½ (230 g.) cherry tomatoes

  • 250 ml 8 oz. water or more as needed
  • ½ tbsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • ½ tbsp. honey
  • 1 tbsp. 7% pickling vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove sliced
  • 1 large floret fresh dill
  • 1 ½ tbsp. chopped Italian parsley
  • 4 whole black peppercorns

Instructions

  • Sterilize the jars.
  • Wash the cherry tomatoes and pierce each one with a toothpick to prevent bursting during pickling.
  • In each jar, add 1 sliced garlic clove, 1 large dill floret (or up to 3 smaller ones), 1 ½ tbsp chopped Italian parsley, and 4 peppercorns.
  • Pack the cherry tomatoes tightly into the jars.
  • Bring a kettle of clean cold water to a boil. Pour the boiling water over the tomatoes and let them sit for 3 minutes.
  • Carefully pour the hot water from the jars into a pot. To do so, hold the canning lid against the jar mouth to keep the tomatoes in place, or use a sprouting screen or Mason jar pour top.
  • Multiply the amounts of salt, sugar, honey, and vinegar by the number of jars you’re using.
  • Add measured out salt, sugar and honey to a pot with water and bring to a boil. Boil until the salt and sugar dissolve. Then add the vinegar and turn off the heat. This is your brine
  • Pour the brine into the jars, leaving ½ inch of space at the top. Put on the lids and tighten the bands.
  • Process the jars in a hot water bath or steam canner.
Learn how to prepare mason jars and lids for canning

Notes

Processing time guidelines for hot water bath or atmospheric steam canners

Style of Pack: Hot
  Process Time at Elevations of:
Jar Size 0 – 1,000 ft 1,001 – 6,000 ft Above 6,000 ft
Pints (16 oz, ~500ml) 10 min 15 min 20 min
 
Preserve Type Appetizer | Pickles | Side Dish | Snack
Keyword can you pickle cherry tomatoes | canned cherry tomatoes recipe | cherry tomatoes recipe | how to pickle cherry tomatoes easy | pickled cherry tomatoes recipe

Canning tools we use: If you are in the market for a reliable atmospheric steam canner, consider VKP brands made canners.

Want to learn more? Read our steam canners review.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Jars Don’t Seal: If your jars haven’t sealed after processing, check for cracks or check if you may have placed lids incorrectly. While you can try processing them again, we don’t recommend it because cherry tomatoes are quite delicate. Instead, refrigerate the jars. You can start using them after at least one week in the brine.
  • Cloudy Liquid: If the liquid inside the jars looks cloudy, it’s probably because the cherry tomatoes burst and released their juices and seeds. This doesn’t affect the taste.
  • Soft or Mushy Tomatoes: If your tomatoes are too soft or mushy, it might be because they were overripe. Next time, use firmer tomatoes to keep them from getting too soft during canning.

We can’t wait to learn how this preserve recipe worked out for you. Leave us a comment below, like us on X, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. And remember, sharing is caring!

Frequently asked questions

Can I use overripe tomatoes for canning?

It’s best to use fresh, firm cherry tomatoes for canning. Overripe tomatoes can be too soft and may not hold their shape as well during the canning process.

Why do I need to add vinegar?

Vinegar helps maintain the safety of the tomatoes during canning. It ensures the acidity level is high enough to prevent bacterial growth, like botulism. It’s essential for food safety.

How long do canned cherry tomatoes last?

When stored properly in a cool, dark place, your canned cherry tomatoes should last about 12–18 months. Always check the seals before opening to make sure they’re still safe to use.

How can I use these pickled cherry tomatoes?

Pickled cherry tomatoes are a great make-ahead side dish with many uses. Here’s how you can enjoy them:

  • With Grilled Meats: Serve them alongside grilled meats for a tasty mix of flavors.
  • Charcuterie Boards: Add them to a charcuterie board for a variety of tastes and textures.
  • On Your Homemade Pizza: Use these pickled cherry tomatoes to make a pizza sauce or simply use them as a pizza topping.

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