How to Freeze Tomatoes: The Ultimate Guide

How to Freeze Tomatoes at Home.

Tomatoes are the most versatile pantry essentials out there. If you’ve got a handful of their red, juicy versions, you’re sorted. And that’s exactly why freezing fresh tomatoes right when they’re in season can do the trick.

You’ll not just end up saving a few bucks, but will also be able to create delicious, healthy, and wholesome meals using them all throughout the year.

Not sure how to freeze tomatoes the right way?

Tomatoes might seem like another one of those little fruits (yes that’s right) that turn mushy once they’re thawed. While there is a bit of textural difference that you’ll notice for sure, frozen tomatoes taste and work just as well as regular tomatoes do in a recipe. Plus, you’ll still be getting all the nutrients and the good stuff out of those, so that’s another plus.

Why you will love freezing tomatoes at home.

It’ll help you save money.
You’ll reduce food wastage
You’ll have fresh tomatoes ready to be used for any of your culinary creations
You’ll enjoy the best in season produce throughout the year.

Why Freeze Tomatoes?

Frozen tomatoes are a great way to always have a supply of fresh and in-season produce to use. If you’ve ended up purchasing more tomatoes than you can use, and you’re worried about them turning bad, freezing could be an excellent way to prevent food wastage.

How long does it take for tomatoes to freeze?

You can keep tomatoes in the freezer for a few months, but it’s important to properly prepare them before freezing. Choose between the three different methods of freezing them based on what purpose you’re freezing them for.

Will freezing tomatoes cause them to become mushy?

Freezing tomatoes themselves will not cause them to become mushy, especially if you do it the right way. However, there might be some loss of texture, and you won’t get that firm texture that you’re looking for.

Method #1: Freeze Whole

Rinse tomatoes and remove the stem. (Easily remove stem without cutting, simply twist and pull.)
Play whole tomatoes into a labeled gallon freezer bag.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible.
Freeze for up to 6 months.
TIP: When using frozen tomatoes skin will easily peel off while the tomato is frozen. Simple run a frozen tomato under warm water and peel skin off easily.

Method #2: Freeze Tomatoes Quartered/Halved (Unblanched)

Rinse tomatoes and remove the stem. (Easily remove stem without cutting, simply twist and pull.)
Cover a baking sheet (with a lip) with parchment paper. This will keep your tomatoes from sticking and make it easy to transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen.
Now that you have your tomatoes washed and ready for peeling. Cut them in halves or quarters. and remove the inner stem.
Place tomatoes onto parchment paper and flash freeze for 1-2 hours. I do not like to freeze for too long so that I can avoid freezer burn on the tomatoes.
Transfer frozen tomatoes into a freezer bag. Once tomatoes are in a freezer bag remove as much air as possible and seal.

Method #3: Freeze Tomato Sauce

Make your favorite tomato sauce and freeze it!

Tips & Tricks to Freeze Tomatoes

Regardless of the method, you opt for to freeze your batch of tomatoes, the process is simple and straightforward. But of course, some little tips and tricks can always help.

Always wash the tomatoes thoroughly before freezing them.
Spray your baking tray with nonstick cooking spray before placing the tomato chunks or slices on them, making sure they are in one even layer so that they freeze quickly and all at once. If they are piled on top of each other they’ll freeze and stick together.
If you are freezing whole tomatoes, do not peel or core them first.

Tips & Tricks to Use Frozen Tomatoes

Done with all the prep and ready with your big batch of frozen tomatoes? Here are some incredibly delicious ways to put them to use.

Frozen tomatoes are the perfect savior for your everyday meals. Use them in salads, salsas, or tomato pies. The possibilities are literally endless!
Look up some delicious pasta sauce recipes and batch make them and store them for later to help you whip up a quick and flavorful meal when you’re short of time.
Throw your frozen tomatoes into your soups and stews to lend it a nice tangy flavor and some a punch of nutrition.

Loved how easy it was to freeze tomatoes? Looking for some more help freezing other fruits and fresh produce? Here are some quick links to help you out.

3 Methods for Freezing Fresh Tomatoes. ????

How to Freeze Tomatoes

Learn how to freeze tomatoes using these different methods so you can enjoy fresh tomatoes all year long.

Prep Time5

Active Time1

Total Time1 5

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Freezing Fresh Tomatoes, How to Freeze Fresh Tomatoes, How to Freeze Tomatoes

Materials

tomatoes as many as you want to freeze

Instructions

Method #1: Freeze Whole

Rinse tomatoes and remove the stem. (Easily remove stem without cutting, simply twist and pull.)
Play whole tomatoes into a labeled gallon freezer bag.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible.
Freeze for up to 6 months.
TIP: When using frozen tomatoes skin will easily peel off while the tomato is frozen. Simple run a frozen tomato under warm water and peel skin off easily.

Method #2: Freeze Tomatoes Quartered/Halved (Unblanched)

Rinse tomatoes and remove the stem. (Easily remove stem without cutting, simply twist and pull.)
Cover a baking sheet (with a lip) with parchment paper. This will keep your tomatoes from sticking and make it easy to transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen.
Now that you have your tomatoes washed and ready for peeling. Cut them in halves or quarters. and remove the inner stem.
Place tomatoes onto parchment paper and flash freeze for 1-2 hours. I do not like to freeze for too long so that I can avoid freezer burn on the tomatoes.
Transfer frozen tomatoes into a freezer bag. Once tomatoes are in a freezer bag remove as much air as possible and seal.

Method #3: Freeze Tomato Sauce

Find your favorite tomato sauce and freeze it.

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Freezing Tomatoes FAQ’s

Will Freezing Tomatoes Reduce Their Nutritive Value?

In general, frozen foods can retain a good proportion of their nutritional value.

How Long Can I Freeze Tomatoes?

Frozen strawberries can last for up to a year, sometimes more. Remember that the longer they stay in the freezer, the higher the risk of freezer burn.

How Do I Thaw Frozen Tomatoes?

It’s pretty simple! Just let the container or the bag sit at room temperature. This will take longer, but the strawberries will retain their shape better when you defrost them slowly and naturally.

Freezing Sliced or Chopped Tomatoes

Remember to let the chopped tomatoes freeze individually and then transfer them to an airtight container or a resealable bag before you freeze them. This will help keep all the pieces separate.

Freezing Whole Tomatoes

This one’s actually easier and needs less kitchen time and tools. Again, the process is super easy. Scroll down to get a quick view of the step-by-step procedure.