How to Freeze and Store Tomatoes | Glad® (2024)

FAQs

How to Freeze and Store Tomatoes | Glad®? ›

You can freeze tomatoes whole, but cutting them will help them take up less room in the freezer. Plastic freezer bags work great for freezing fruits and vegetables.

You can freeze tomatoes whole, but cutting them will help them take up less room in the freezer. Plastic freezer bags work great for freezing fruits and vegetables.

Place the tomatoes into large resealable freezer bags in a single layer and be sure to remove as much air out of the bag as possible. Seal the bag. Now they are ready to freeze! To help avoid freezer burn, double pack them into airtight containers.

Freezing tomatoes is the easiest way to keep ripe tomatoes until you're ready to use them. You don't have to peel them first—in fact, the act of freezing them itself makes the tomatoes insanely easy to peel! —and you can freeze as many or as few at a time as you like.

Peel and Freeze the Tomatoes

Using a small sharp knife, cut out the stem end from the peeled tomatoes. If desired, halve, slice, or chop tomatoes (you can also freeze whole tomatoes). Spoon the tomatoes into freezer containers or bags, leaving 1-inch headspace.

How Long They'll Last. Make sure you keep the temperature of the freezer at 0°F or below to ensure proper freezing. Frozen tomatoes will retain their flavor for 12 months. This gives you plenty of time to thaw them to use in your favorite sauce, stew, or soup recipes.

If you need to refrigerate tomatoes, place them in the crisper section in their plastic clamshell container (if that is how they were pack- aged in the store), a paper bag, or a plastic bag with a few slits, to reduce water loss. This is most important for cherry and grape tomatoes.

Yes, but because grape and cherry tomatoes are so small there's no need to blanch or peel them first. Simply rinse them, pat them dry, and then freeze them on a cookie sheet until firm before sealing them in a freezer bag.

How do you preserve tomatoes for 6 months? ›

Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature on your counter for up to 1 week. Alternatively, store tomatoes in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, place tomatoes in a storage bin, then store them in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

If you don't have a wine fridge or cool cellar, store all ripe tomatoes that you can't eat within the first day in the refrigerator. If you're storing tomatoes in the refrigerator, it may be better to locate them on a top shelf near the door, which is often warmer than the bottom and back of the fridge.

The tomatoes would be fine, however, once they defrost they will be mush. Freezing breaks the cell walls of the fruit.

Does freezing tomatoes change the flavor? While the freezer does impact a tomato's texture, it doesn't ruin its vibrant, acidic flavor. Some diehard canners will argue that canning tomatoes preserves more of the fresh flavor, and they may be right. But freezing tomatoes is a great alternative, and it's so much easier!

Make sure they are not more than ½” inch thick when slicing. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half; if they are extra large, cut them in quarters with your knife. Place the tomatoes on the trays, with space between each slice. If diced, separate as best as possible and avoid stacking for the best freeze-dried results.