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    Home » Sides » Best Way To Freeze Tomatoes

    Best Way To Freeze Tomatoes

    Published: Aug 18, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    How To Freeze Tomatoes: When you have a great crop of tomatoes, be sure to freeze extras. Prepping fresh tomatoes for freezing is super easy! Don’t waste those juicy red morsels that have spent the summer growing in your garden. Learn the best way to freeze tomatoes so you can use them in the coming winter months for delicious meals!

    Roma tomatoes on a cutting board, ready for freezing.

    Original post: September 2013 | Updated: August 2021

    Why This Recipe Works

    It’s tomato season! We sadly do not have a garden, but I have heard many people over the past few weeks express tomato concern. “What am I going to do with all of these tomatoes?!” As if a bumper crop is a bad thing!

    A good friend unloaded some of her harvest on me, and I was happy to receive them. We tomatoed burgers, salads and sandwiches. I still had a bunch left over so I decided to freeze them. This is a very easy task, and it will provide you with delicious and easy winter dinner options.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Tomatoes – Any variety can be frozen, but must be at prime ripeness. Ripe tomatoes are soft to the touch (but not squishy) and are dark red in color.

    How To Freeze Tomatoes and Prepare Them For Freezing

    Make sure to prepare some freezer space, because these delicious red fruits will be perfect for winter soups, stews and meals!

    Hand holding a Roma tomato with stem removed.

    Step 1 – Prepare The Tomatoes

    Using a sharp knife, remove the stem/core from the tops of the ripe tomatoes in a cone shape. Using a sharp knife, score a line into each tomato just enough to break the skin, going from one side of the cored circle all the way down and up to the opposite side of the circle.

    This will make removing the skins a piece of cake (when we get to that point – don’t do it yet).

    Tomatoes in a saucepan of boiling water.

    Step 2 – Flash Prep The Tomatoes

    Prepare a large saucepan of boiling water, as well as a large bowl filled with ice water.

    In batches, add the tomatoes to the boiling water in 2-minute intervals.

    Using a large slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes to the ice water and let sit for 1 minute.

    Tomatoes in an ice bath.

    Step 3 – Peel The Tomatoes

    Using the slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes from the ice water to a flat work surface. Remove the tomato skins, they will just slip off because you scored them ahead then discard. They will peel off the tomatoes like butter.

    Fingers peeling skin off tomato on cutting board.

    Step 4 – Package For Freezing

    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.

    Roma tomatoes in ziploc bags ready for freezing.

    FAQ About Tomatoes

    Will tomatoes ripen off the vine?

    Tomatoes will continue to ripen after they have been picked off their plants. They produce ethylene, which is a gas that promotes ripening.

    Can tomatoes be frozen straight from the garden?

    It is possible to freeze tomatoes straight from the garden, but with mushy consequences. In order to have the best possible outcome, put just a little bit of time and effort in up front.

    Are tomatoes good for you?

    Tomatoes contain a good deal of antioxidants, which are linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of potassium and vitamin C and are low in calories and fat, making them a healthy food to consume regularly.

    Are tomatoes a fruit?

    Botanically, tomatoes are considered fruits because they form from a flower and contain seeds. However, they are considered to be a vegetable by most people, due to the way they are used in recipes and cooking.

    Are tomatoes bad for dogs?

    Ripened tomatoes are nontoxic for dogs and can be consumed safely. Unripened tomatoes (as well as tomato plants), however, are not safe for dog consumption.

    Are tomatoes keto?

    Low in fat and carbs, tomatoes are keto-friendly, with a mere 2.4 grams of carbs per half-cup serving.

    How long can tomatoes be frozen?

    Bags of fresh tomatoes can remain in your deep freeze for up to a year – just in time for next year’s harvest! And just like that, you are more prepared for winter meals than most folks. When ready, use your frozen tomatoes for all kinds of incredible tomato sauce dishes including soups and stews.

    Which tomatoes are best for freezing?

    Any type of tomato is perfect for freezing. Roma, cherry, grape, San Marzano, beefsteak.. the sky is the limit! Each variety will offer a different amount of juice and sweetness and this will carry over into the sauce or other end product.

    Ladle with a scoop of pasta sauce coming out of Instant Pot.

    What To Make With Frozen (Thawed) Tomatoes

    In the winter, we love to have Best EVER Spaghetti Sauce and Roasted Tomato Soup. I recently found that I love using my Instant Pot to make a Homemade Tomato Sauce perfect for a comforting bowl of pasta or to dip bread sticks into!

    Recipes To Make Using Pasta Sauce

    Aside from the obvious reason (the amazing FLAVOR!), my favorite thing about pasta sauce is that it is so versatile. Here are a few ideas for ways to enjoy it!

    • Pour it over the top of cooked noodles of any kind.
    • Use it in place of store-bought sauce in your next pan of Baked Spaghetti or Baked Ziti!
    • Check out my Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs
    • Lasagna and Cheesy Manicotti are both sooo good when made with Instant Pot spaghetti sauce!
    • Use it as an ingredient to stuff spaghetti squash with!
    • Add it to your morning eggs because everything tastes great with eggs.

    Delicious Comfort Food Recipes

    • Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole – Creamy vegetables and chicken baked into a buttery crispy crust that is comfort food perfection especially during the fall and winter months.
    • Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole – this dinner boasts flavor and creaminess over a bed of steaming egg noodles. This casserole is just like your mom’s recipe but so much more!
    • Instant Pot White Turkey Chili – Packed with turkey meat, white beans and veggies, this comfort food is super flavorful and delicious.
    • Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – This is a delicious combination of the tastiest flavors you will ever eat in a single bite. Bacon, chicken, creamy alfredo sauce and pasta all make dinner a hit in less than 30 minutes!

    Best Way To Freeze Tomatoes

    Prepping fresh tomatoes for freezing is easy. Learn the best way to freeze tomatoes so you can use them down the road for sauce & meals!
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    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 25.52kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    • 2-3 lbs tomatoes  any variety, at prime ripeness

    Instructions

    • Using a sharp knife, remove the stem/core from the tops of the tomatoes in a cone shape. Score a line into each tomato just enough to break the skin, going from one side of the cored circle all the way down and up to the opposite side of the circle.
    • Prepare a large saucepan of boiling water, as well as a large bowl filled with ice water. In batches, add the tomatoes to the boiling water in 2-minute intervals. Using a large slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes to the ice water and let sit for 1 minute.
    • Place the tomatoes into large resealable bags and freeze! The tomatoes can stay frozen for up to one year.

    Notes

    • Tomatoes should be dark red and soft to the touch but not squishy when they’re ready to freeze.
    • Any type of tomato is perfect for freezing! Roma, cherry, grape, San Marzano, beefsteak.. the sky is the limit! Each variety will offer a different amount of juice and sweetness and this will carry over into the sauce or other end product.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 25.52kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.51g | Protein: 1.25g | Fat: 0.28g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 7.09mg | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 3.73g
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. jeanie

      July 22, 2022 at 11:01 am

      I have frozen tomatoes for years. Put them in a blender with skins on.Than freeze.

      Reply
    2. Maureen Pegoraro

      September 08, 2021 at 9:29 pm

      I made a mistake by not cutting the end (core) off the top of the tomato before putting them to boil for 10 min. I continued to put them into an ice bath for 2 minutes then i cut the core off and easily peeled the skin off. My question is: there is some water from the tomatoes and I’m wondering if I should dump it, or no harm in keeping it since I plan to turn the tomatoes into pasta sauce anyway. Thanks so much for sharing this very simple & easy recipe !

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        September 09, 2021 at 9:15 pm

        Great job getting started! I wouldn’t sweat it. When they thaw, it’ll either burn off in cooking or melt off. It’ll be delicious when you get to cooking with them!

        Reply
      • Virginia

        September 06, 2022 at 1:59 pm

        After I scald, peel & cut off tops, I cut up in bowl and then pour all tomatoes in colander to drain liquid and a lot of seeds….then I bag and freeze all tomatoes.

        Reply
    3. Jackie

      April 06, 2019 at 9:18 pm

      I just core and freeze them with the skins on. They cut up easier when partially thawed.
      Even spur of the moment put them in water for 10 min they will be thawed enough to cook.
      Takes much less time, no one notices the skins and the skins are probably good for us anyway.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        April 07, 2019 at 4:13 am

        Glad you shared – thanks!

        Reply
      • Tricia

        August 20, 2020 at 2:43 pm

        DO NOT leave your skins on the tomatoes if you are freezing or canning. They are tough and not eatable at all

        Reply
    4. Kat

      May 30, 2015 at 12:57 pm

      I don't really have a garden, (Want one though) But I do grow my own tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets on my deck, Never thought to freeze them! Great idea! My neighbor grows summer squash and gives quite a bit, I freeze it and it tastes ok but not sure I do it correctly. Could you post something on that? Thanks Megan!!!!

      Reply
    5. Tami

      September 09, 2014 at 3:08 am

      You don't have to go to all the work of removing the skin prior to freezing. I just freeze whole, then while thawing the skin just falls off and I lift it out.

      Reply
    6. Cheryl

      September 10, 2013 at 11:56 am

      I don't take off the skins, never have. When you cook the tomatoes they break up, or in a salsa they just fall apart and are fine. It saves alot of time. I always wondered why people take them off ?!?

      Reply
      • Traci Vilez

        December 09, 2018 at 6:39 am

        I don’t skin mine for salsas either, can’t tell a difference. I am going to freeze to see how close to fresh salsa it tastes like, I like canned salsa, but I miss that fresh taste when I eat it in the winter.

        Reply
        • Megan Porta

          December 10, 2018 at 4:29 am

          Fresh is definitely amazing! But even with frozen tomatoes being used, it’s still fresh tasting because you don’t have the preservatives that a canned or jarred salsa has. Enjoy!

          Reply
    7. Kelly @ New Leaf Wellness

      September 10, 2013 at 11:50 am

      I'm think these can be used instead of canned tomatoes in recipes. The only canned tomatoes I buy are petite diced tomatoes and tomato sauce (and tomato paste). Do you know what I need to do to make those? Could I simple dice the final product to sub for petite diced tomatoes in recipes?

      Reply

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