How to freeze tomatoes?

How to freeze tomatoes

How to freeze tomatoes? Did you know that it is possible to freeze raw tomatoes with or without their skin? Tomatoes can be frozen raw or cooked, whole, diced or sliced. It is not necessary to blanch tomatoes before freezing them.

It’s best to use frozen tomatoes in simmering dishes such as soups, sauces, and stews because they become mushy when thawed. The change in texture is considerable compared to fresh tomatoes. So don’t expect to be able to make a salad with your frozen tomatoes.

The methods below are suitable for all varieties of tomatoes, regardless of size, shape or color, from tiny cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak tomatoes to yellow tomatoes.

How to freeze whole raw tomatoes with the skin on?

  1. Choose firm, ripe tomatoes. Discard the damaged ones.
  2. Gently wash the tomatoes under cold running water, then pat them dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.
  3. Then, cut off the stem and surrounding area from each tomato and discard it.
  4. Place the whole tomatoes on a baking sheet and put the sheet in the freezer for several hours or overnight.
  5. Once the tomatoes are completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and transfer the tomatoes to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. You can use several freezer bags or several containers if needed.
  6. Seal the freezer bag or container tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
  7. Label the freezer bag or container with the date and contents, then return the tomatoes to the freezer.

How to freeze whole raw tomatoes without the skin?

  1. Choose firm, ripe tomatoes. Discard the damaged ones.
  2. Gently wash the tomatoes under cold running water, then pat them dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.
  3. Then, cut off the stem and surrounding area from each tomato and discard it.
  4. Drop the tomatoes into boiling water for about 1 minute or until the skins come off easily. Peel all the tomatoes.
  5. Place the whole tomatoes on a baking sheet and put the sheet in the freezer for several hours or overnight.
  6. Once the tomatoes are completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and transfer the tomatoes to a reseal able freezer bag or airtight container. You can use several freezer bags or several containers if needed.
  7. Seal the freezer bag or container tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
  8. Label the freezer bag or container with the date and contents, then return the tomatoes to the freezer.

How to freeze diced raw tomatoes?

  1. Choose firm, ripe tomatoes. Discard the damaged ones.
  2. Gently wash the tomatoes under cold running water, then pat them dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.
  3. Then, cut off the stem and surrounding area from each tomato and discard it.
  4. For best results, peel the tomatoes before dicing them. Drop the tomatoes into boiling water for about 1 minute or until the skins come off easily. Peel all the tomatoes.
  5. Using a sharp knife, dice the tomatoes into the desired size. The tomatoes will release a lot of juice; try to eliminate as many as possible now to avoid problems in the freezer.
  6. Spread the diced tomatoes on a baking sheet with raised sides, making sure they don’t touch each other. The raised edges are an insurance against the tomato juice dripping into the freezer during the next stage. The idea is to pre-freeze each diced tomato individually so that they don’t stick together afterwards. This will make it easier to defrost small portions. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours.
  7. Once the diced tomatoes are completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and transfer the diced tomatoes to a freezer bag or an airtight container. You can use multiple freezer bags or multiple containers if you want to freeze individual portions.
  8. Seal the freezer bag or container tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
  9. Label the freezer bag or container with the date and contents, then return the diced tomatoes to the freezer.

How to freeze raw sliced ​​tomatoes?

  1. Choose firm, ripe tomatoes. Discard the damaged ones.
  2. Gently wash the tomatoes under cold running water, then pat them dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.
  3. Then, cut off the stem and surrounding area from each tomato and discard it.
  4. For best results, peel the tomatoes before slicing them. Drop the tomatoes into boiling water for about 1 minute or until the skins come off easily. Peel all the tomatoes.
  5. Using a sharp knife, cut the tomatoes into slices of your desired thickness. The tomatoes will release a lot of juice; try to eliminate as many as possible now to avoid problems in the freezer.
  6. Spread the tomato slices on a baking sheet with raised sides, making sure the slices are not touching. The raised edges are an insurance against the tomato juice dripping into the freezer during the next stage. The idea is to pre-freeze each slice of tomato individually so that they don’t stick together afterwards. This will make it easier to defrost small portions. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours.
  7. Once the tomato slices are completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and transfer the tomato slices to a freezer bag or an airtight container. You can use multiple freezer bags or multiple containers if you want to freeze individual portions.
  8. Seal the freezer bag or container tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
  9. Label the freezer bag or container with the date and contents, then return the tomato slices to the freezer.

How to freeze cooked tomatoes?

  1. Cook your tomatoes as usual following your favorite recipe. You can season them before freezing them if you wish; herbs and spices generally hold up well to freezing.
  2. Then let the tomatoes cool before freezing them.
  3. Put the tomatoes in an airtight container or in a freezer bag. You can use several freezer bags or several containers if you want to freeze individual portions which will be much more convenient to thaw later.
  4. Carefully seal the container or freezer bag, pushing out as much air as possible.
  5. Label the container or freezer bag with the date and contents and put the tomatoes in the freezer.

How to freeze canned tomatoes?

Canned tomatoes have an extremely long shelf life . So there’s no need to freeze them unless you’ve opened the box. In this case, you should not freeze them in their original canister.

Put the remaining tomatoes in a thick freezer bag, seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, then put it in the freezer. It’s as simple as that! You can also use an airtight Tupperware container.

How to freeze cherry tomatoes?

To freeze cherry tomatoes, you can use any of the methods described above. However, we advise you to freeze them whole with their skin following the very first method entitled “  How to freeze raw tomatoes whole with their skin? “.

How long do tomatoes last in the freezer?

If you’ve frozen whole raw tomatoes, with or without the skin, you can freeze them for about 2 to 3 months. After this time, they will still be safe to eat but their flavor and texture will begin to deteriorate severely.

If you’ve frozen diced or sliced ​​raw tomatoes, you can freeze them for about 2 months. After this time, they will still be safe to eat but their flavor and texture will begin to deteriorate severely.

If you’ve frozen cooked tomatoes, you can freeze them for about 10 to 12 months.

If you’ve frozen canned tomatoes, you can freeze them for about 2 to 3 months. After this time, they will still be safe to eat but their flavor and texture will begin to deteriorate severely.

How to thaw tomatoes?

Frozen tomatoes are very easy to use. You can thaw them completely before cooking or use them as is without thawing them if the recipe calls for it.

If you want to use whole tomatoes as is without thawing them, run them under hot tap water for a minute or two, then add them to your recipe. If you want to use diced tomatoes or sliced ​​tomatoes without thawing them, add them as is to your recipe.

If you want to thaw your tomatoes completely before using them, put them in the refrigerator in the container or freezer bag in which you froze them and let them thaw slowly for several hours or overnight.

Can you refreeze tomatoes?

Refreezing tomatoes is not recommended. Their texture will have already suffered from a first freezing. If you refreeze them, you will only spoil them more.

Abbas Jahangir

I am a researcher and writer with a background in food and nutritional science. I am the founder of Foodstrend.com, our reputable online platform offering scientifically-backed articles on health, food, nutrition, kitchen tips, recipes, diet, and fitness. With a commitment to providing accurate and reliable information, we strive to empower our readers to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle choices. Join us on Foodstrend.com's journey toward a healthier and happier lifestyle.

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