Tomatoes are a key ingredient in many meals, and you can make them last longer by freezing them.
Continue on and we’ll explain how food preservation techniques can keep your tomatoes delicious.
Can You Freeze Tomatoes?
You can freeze tomatoes, and it’s quite easy to do.
Tomatoes can change inconsistency after they have been frozen, so it’s best to freeze them only when you have recipes to put them in later that won’t be affected by this.
How to Freeze Tomatoes
Freezing tomatoes is a simple process. Just wash them, cut the stem out and place them onto a baking sheet and into the freezer.
It’s just a matter of minutes!
Whole
It’s easy to prepare tomatoes for freezing when they are whole. You don’t have to remove the skin, but it is a good idea to give them a good washing beforehand.
Then, cut away any stem pieces. You won’t want to keep these in the process.
Afterward, they can then be frozen on a baking sheet and later moved to freezer bags or other airtight containers.
Peeled
If you do want to peel your tomatoes before freezing them, you’ll have just a couple more steps to add to the preparation process.
Wash the tomatoes as earlier indicated and clear away the stems. Then, place your tomatoes into boiling water for about a minute.
When they have cooled sufficiently from that heat, you should be able to simply peel away the skin.
Peeled tomatoes can then be frozen in the same way as unpeeled tomatoes.
Sliced and Diced
The way you choose to cut up the tomatoes won’t decide whether or not they need to be boiled. That is only based on whether or not you want to peel them.
Because of that, you can decide to either peel them or not and either cut them up before freezing or after. It’s completely up to you.
Some prefer to cut them after, as whole tomatoes are easier to measure than messy slices or chunks that have frozen together.
Puree or Paste
Both tomato puree and tomato paste need to be stored in a freezer bag or other airtight container. Freezer bags are typically a great choice because they can better handle expansion.
Juice
Tomato juice will expand when it freezes. As a result, you’ll want to make sure that any container you freeze it in has enough room to handle the extra volume.
Packaging for Freezing
It’s in your best interest to start by freezing the tomatoes on a baking sheet. That way, they don’t get stuck together.
Once they are frozen, you can move them into a smaller container that takes up less freezer space. Doing this as soon as they have frozen can help to avoid freezer burn.
Plastic Bags or Zipper Locks
Plastic bags, or freezer bags, are great options for storing tomatoes in a variety of different ways.
These bags can especially be perfect for tomatoes that have been pureed or turned into paste.
They are also a decent option for tomato juice. Whatever kind of tomatoes you’re keeping in plastic bags, you will want to make sure to remove the air from it first.
If you really want to keep the air out, you can also use a vacuum-sealing bag.
Containers
Many people like to use Tupperware or similar kinds of containers to store frozen foods.
This is a perfectly suitable option as long as the container is airtight.
Related Article: Can you freeze celery? Could the freshness be preserved?
How to Thaw Frozen Tomatoes
Thawing frozen tomatoes are quite simple.
All you need to do is set out the number of tomatoes you want on a counter at room temperature for about an hour prior to using them.
How to Use Frozen Tomatoes
Frozen tomatoes can be used in just about any recipe that doesn’t require the regular texture of a tomato.
Tomato sauce, soup, and many other recipes can benefit from frozen tomatoes.
Make sure to freeze them in amounts that make it easy to measure what you’re using in a recipe.
Other Ways To Store Tomatoes
You don’t always have to freeze tomatoes.
That is the primary choice for making them last as long as possible, but you can keep them at room temperature or in the fridge if you plan to use them more quickly.
Fridge
The fridge is the ideal location for tomatoes that are too ripe — basically, tomatoes that are on the verge of going bad.
The coolness of the fridge will slow down the ripening process, giving you more of a chance to use them before they go bad.
Room Temperature
Ripe tomatoes, or those that are still ripening, can be kept at room temperature without any problems.
Just make sure to transfer them to the fridge if they begin to look overripe.
**Want to know other vegetables to freeze? Find out if asparagus can be frozen here!!!**
Related Questions
How long can you keep fresh tomatoes in the freezer?
When you freeze fresh tomatoes, they can last for up to 3 months. When you are going to use them, just look them over to ensure they are still good before adding them to the pot.
Can you freeze tomatoes whole without cooking them?
Yes. In most cases, you don’t need to cook tomatoes before freezing them.
The only time you may need to cook them slightly first is if you want to peel them before freezing.
However, this is a quick and simple process.
What is the easiest way to preserve tomatoes?
If you’re looking to make your tomatoes last as long as possible then freezing them is the easiest option.
It’s quick to do and you can make your tomatoes last a lot longer than they would otherwise.
Does freezing tomatoes affect flavor?
As long as the tomatoes are still good, they won’t have too much of a flavor change after being frozen.
Because of this, you can still use them in many recipes that require tomatoes without an issue.
Conclusion
With plenty of frozen tomatoes in stock, you’ll be able to make a wide number of different foods.
Many of us are always looking for ways to save money on groceries.
Having to purchase ingredients like tomatoes less often can add up to some pretty great savings over time.
