Traditional Homemade Tomato Sauce – No Preservatives, No Special Tools

There’s nothing quite like the flavor of homemade tomato sauce, slowly simmered with just fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and salt. This traditional method requires no preservatives and no special tools, yet produces a rich, thick, and naturally sweet sauce that captures the taste of ripe summer tomatoes. Perfect for pasta, pizza, soups, or stews, this recipe also shows you how to sterilize jars safely so you can preserve the sauce for months. With just a few simple steps, you’ll stock your pantry with jars of homemade tomato goodness, ready to use all year long.

Traditional Homemade Tomato Sauce

Recipe by George Zolis

5.0 from 2 votes

Course: SauceCuisine: GreekDifficulty: Easy

Servings

10

jars

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

45

kcal

Total time

40

minutes

A traditional homemade tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and salt — no preservatives, no special tools. Includes an easy jar sterilization method for safe long-term storage.

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Ingredients

Metric US

• 10 kg 22 lb Plum tomatoes (or any kind of tomatoes)

• 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Coarse salt

• 100 g 1/2 cup Olive oil

How to make Tomato Sauce

• Prepare the tomatoes
• Wash the tomatoes well, remove the stems, and cut them into quarters.
• Place them in a large pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Cook and blend
• Add the olive oil and coarse salt. Continue simmering for 30 minutes.
• Use an immersion blender to puree the tomatoes until smooth.
• Strain the sauce through a fine sieve to remove seeds and skins.
• Thicken the sauce
• Return the strained sauce to the pot.
• Simmer gently for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
• Sterilize jars
• Wash jars and lids thoroughly.
• Place them in the oven at 120°C (250°F) for 30 minutes, with lids separate.
• Fill and seal
• Pour the hot sauce into the sterilized jars.
• Add a thin layer of olive oil on top.
• Seal immediately, then turn jars upside down and let cool completely before storing.

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🍅 Why Make Traditional Tomato Sauce at Home?

Homemade tomato sauce is more than just a pantry staple — it’s a way to preserve the flavor of summer all year long. This traditional recipe uses only fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and salt, simmered for hours to achieve a naturally rich and thick consistency. Unlike store-bought sauces, it contains no preservatives, no artificial flavors, and no added sugars.

🥫 Safe Jar Sterilization Made Easy

Sterilizing jars may sound intimidating, but it’s actually very simple. Washing thoroughly, baking jars in the oven at 120°C (250°F), and sealing them with hot sauce ensures your tomato sauce stays fresh and safe to enjoy for months. Always check lids before storing — they should be tightly sealed with no movement.

🍝 How to Use Homemade Tomato Sauce

This versatile sauce can be used in countless dishes — from classic spaghetti to homemade pizza, baked casseroles, or as a base for soups and stews. For extra flavor, add fresh basil, oregano, or garlic when reheating. Having a few jars of this sauce on hand means you’re always one step away from a comforting, homemade meal.

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