Freezing Tomatoes for the Off-Season | A Guide to Preserving Freshness

Hi friends, Megan K. & I’m sharing the benefits of freezing tomatoes + a step-by-step guide for the best freezing methods.

Freezing tomatoes is one of the easiest and most effective ways to preserve their vibrant flavor, juicy texture, and nutritional value for later use. Whether you’ve harvested a gorgeous crop from your garden or found a great deal at the farmer’s market, freezing tomatoes allows you to enjoy them well beyond the peak summer season. This method requires minimal preparation, and frozen tomatoes are perfect for sauces, soups, stews, chili, and casseroles. Let’s explore the benefits of freezing tomatoes + a step-by-step guide to the best freezing methods.

Freeze Your Tomatoes

Preserve Fresh Flavor Freezing tomatoes locks in their ripe, fresh flavor. When you freeze tomatoes at their peak, you capture their natural sweetness and juiciness, which can be released later in your cooking. Although their texture changes slightly after freezing, becoming softer, they are perfect for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, chili, and stews, where texture isn’t a critical factor.
Reduce Food Waste Freezing tomatoes is an excellent way to reduce food waste. If you have more tomatoes than you can use immediately, freezing them prevents them from spoiling. Instead of letting overripe tomatoes go to waste, freeze them to use in meals throughout the year.
Convenience Frozen tomatoes provide a convenient option when cooking. When you need tomatoes for a recipe, you can simply grab a few from the freezer, saving you trips to the store. They can be added directly to soups and sauces without needing to thaw first, streamlining your cooking process.
Maintain Nutritional Value Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants like lycopene. Freezing helps maintain much of the tomatoes’ nutritional value, as the vitamins and minerals are preserved during the freezing process. This means you can continue to benefit from the health-boosting properties of tomatoes long after the growing season ends.
Versatility in Cooking Frozen tomatoes are versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes. While they lose some firmness when thawed, their flavor intensifies during cooking. Frozen tomatoes are perfect for making sauces, salsas, tomato soups, casseroles, and other recipes that call for cooked or stewed tomatoes.

How to Freeze Tomatoes: Step-by-Step Guide

Freezing tomatoes is a straightforward process, but there are a few methods depending on your needs. You can freeze them whole, chopped, or as a purée, depending on how you plan to use them later.

Method 1: Freezing Whole Tomatoes

Step 1: Select & Wash the Tomatoes Choose ripe, unblemished tomatoes for freezing. Wash them thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt and bacteria. If you prefer, you can peel them, though it’s not necessary (you can remove the skin after thawing if desired).

Step 2: Remove the Stems Cut out the stems and any damaged spots. For large tomatoes, you may want to core them by cutting out the top stem area with a paring knife.

Step 3: Flash Freeze Place the whole tomatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Place the tray in the freezer for a few hours until the tomatoes are frozen solid. This method prevents them from sticking together, making it easier to store and use them individually later.

Step 4: Transfer to Freezer Bags Once the tomatoes are frozen, transfer them to airtight freezer bags or containers. Label the bags with the date and type of tomato. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

Storage Tip: Frozen whole tomatoes can be kept for up to 8-12 months in the freezer.

Method 2: Freezing Chopped Tomatoes

Step 1: Select, Wash, and Prep As with whole tomatoes, start by washing the tomatoes and removing the stems. Peel the tomatoes if desired by blanching them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transferring them to an ice bath. The skins should peel off easily.

Step 2: Chop the Tomatoes Chop the tomatoes into halves, quarters, or smaller pieces depending on how you plan to use them. You can also remove the seeds if you prefer, but it’s optional.

Step 3: Flash Freeze Place the chopped tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet, just like with whole tomatoes. Flash freeze for a few hours until they are solid.

Step 4: Transfer to Freezer Bags Once frozen, place the tomato pieces in freezer bags or airtight containers. Label and date the bags. Be sure to press out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

Storage Tip: Chopped tomatoes are great for stews, soups, and sauces, and can be stored for 8-10 months in the freezer.

Method 3: Freezing Tomato Purée or Sauce

Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes Start by washing and removing the stems. Blanch and peel the tomatoes if desired.

Step 2: Cook & Purée Simmer the tomatoes over medium heat until they begin to break down and release their juices. Once they are soft, blend them into a purée using a blender or food processor. For a smoother sauce, you can pass the purée through a strainer or food mill to remove seeds and skins.

Step 3: Cool & Freeze Let the purée cool completely. Pour the cooled purée into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little space at the top for expansion. You can also freeze the purée in ice cube trays for portion control; once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag.

Storage Tip: Tomato purée or sauce can be kept in the freezer for 6-8 months. Use it in pasta sauces, soups, or as a pizza base.

Tips & Tricks for Freezing Tomatoes Successfully

Blanching (Optional): If you prefer peeled tomatoes, blanch them before freezing. To blanch, place the tomatoes in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath. The skins should peel off easily.
Label & Date: Always label your bags or containers with the date you froze them. This helps ensure you use the oldest tomatoes first, maintaining freshness in your freezer stock.
Storage Time: While tomatoes can technically be stored in the freezer for up to a year, try to use them within 6-8 months for the best quality and flavor.
Avoid Freezer Burn: Freezer burn can affect the texture and taste of frozen tomatoes. To minimize freezer burn, use freezer-safe bags or containers, and remove as much air as possible before sealing. You can also use a vacuum sealer if you have one.

Using Frozen Tomatoes

Frozen tomatoes are incredibly easy to use. For most recipes, you can simply add them directly to the pot while they are still frozen. When used in soups, stews, or sauces, frozen tomatoes break down quickly as they cook, releasing their juices and blending seamlessly into the dish.

If you need to thaw tomatoes, you can do so by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or running them under cold water. Once thawed, the skins will slip off easily if you left them on during the freezing process.

Get Saucy

Freezing tomatoes is a simple, cost-effective way to preserve the vibrant flavors of summer for use all year round. Whether you freeze them whole, chopped, or as a purée, tomatoes retain their nutrients and can enhance countless dishes. With minimal preparation and a few simple steps, you can enjoy the benefits of fresh tomatoes in your cooking long after the growing season has ended.