How to Store Tomatoes (So You Don’t Ruin Them)
Learn how to keep tomatoes fresh, and you preserve the texture and flavor of peak ripeness.
Whether you have a green thumb or just frequent the farmers market (this is the best time to go!), you probably recognize the magical flavor of a fresh in-season tomato. Sweet, juicy, deliciously plump and nothing like those gritty cousins you’d find at the store. Guilty of eating ’em whole? We are, too—when we’re not using them up in these recipes that celebrate fresh tomatoes.
Spaghetti Squash Meatball Casserole
One of our favorite comfort food dinners is spaghetti and meatballs. We're crazy about this lighter, healthier version that features so many veggies and has the same beloved flavors! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, KansasAir-Fryer Green Tomato BLT
I have used this "frying" method with eggplant slices for years and decided to try it for my green tomatoes. It worked! Now my family loves them in BLTs. —Jolene Martinelli, Derry, New HampshireSpinach Tomato Burgers
Every Friday night is burger night at our house. The tomatoes add fresh flavor and the cool spinach dip brings it all together. We often skip the buns and serve these over a bed of grilled cabbage. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, KansasGarden Tomato Salad
For as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, OhioBacon, Lettuce and Tomato Pizza
I combine two all-time favorites in this recipe: pizza and BLT sandwiches. I brought this fun mashup to a ladies lunch and was met with lots of oohs and aahs. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, WisconsinCucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Besides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, NevadaBaked Chicken with Bacon-Tomato Relish
We eat a lot of chicken for dinner, so I'm always trying to do something a little different with it. My children love the crispiness of this chicken, and my husband and I love the flavorful relish—you can't go wrong with bacon! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, UtahTriple Tomato Flatbread
Tomatoes are the reason I have a vegetable garden, and I developed this recipe as a way to show off my plum, sun-dried and cherry tomatoes. It's so easy, and will absolutely impress. —Rachel Kimbrow, Portland, OregonMild Tomato Salsa
I got this salsa recipe from my sister, and my children and I have been making batches of it ever since. We pair pint jars with packages of tortilla chips for zesty Christmas gifts. When the kids give this present to their teachers, they can truthfully say they helped make it. —Pamela Lundstrum, Bird Island, MinnesotaTomato, Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad
With ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and grilled corn, this bright salad tastes just like summertime! —Angela Spengler, Tampa, FloridaTomato-French Bread Lasagna
For a big hearty meal, I make this recipe as a side dish to go with veal cutlets or a roast. But you could also serve the beefy lasagna as a main dish. Just pair it with a tossed green salad and loaf of garlic bread. —Patricia Collins, Imbler, OregonFresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccini
This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with the best of fresh garden produce. It's tossed with heart-healthy olive oil, and a little feta cheese gives it bite. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, FloridaFresh Tomato Bruschetta
The topping for this simple Fresh Tomato Bruschetta appetizer can be put together ahead of time and refrigerated. We also love it on top of grilled chicken sandwiches, hamburgers and homemade pizza. —Samantha Cass, Swartz Creek, MichiganSpinach-Topped Tomatoes
This colorful side dish is classic for a reason! It provides a perfect taste of summer when garden-fresh tomatoes are in season, but we enjoy it year-round. My daughter especially loves this dish. —Ila Mae Alderman, Galax, VirginiaRustic Tomato Cheese Tart
My fresh tomato tart is perfect when you want a taste of summer any time of year. The crust stays nice and crisp and the toppings are bursting with garden-fresh flavor! —Moji Dabney, Egg Harbor Township, New JerseyTomatoes with Buttermilk Vinaigrette
We make the most of tomatoes when they are in season and plentiful, and I love an old-fashioned homemade dressing with summery taste. —Judith Foreman, Alexandria, VirginiaShrimp Fettuccine with No-Cook Tomato Sauce
Dressing pasta doesn’t get any easier than this. Chopped tomatoes and fresh basil come together in a light sauce that’s great with almost anything you decide to add to it--in this case, shrimp. —Sally Stiefvater, Pelham, New YorkTomato-Onion Phyllo Pizza
With a delicate crust and lots of lovely tomatoes on top, this dish is a special one to serve to guests. I make it often when fresh garden tomatoes are in season. It freezes well unbaked, so I also keep one on hand to pop in the oven for a quick dinner.—Neta Cohen, Bedford, VirginiaArtichoke Tomato Salad
For a little zip, crumble feta over the top of this artichoke salad. Add shredded rotisserie chicken for a beautiful main dish. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, ArizonaCherry Tomato Salad
This recipe evolved from a need to use the bumper crops of delicious cherry tomatoes we grow. It's one of my favorite cherry tomato recipes, especially at cookouts. —Sally Sibley, St. Augustine, FloridaBalsamic Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes
This entree is a fantastic way to savor fresh tomatoes, especially during the warm summer months. It’s quite simple, but the sweet, tangy tomato glaze is so good. —Karen Gehrig, Concord, North CarolinaFire and Ice Tomatoes
You won't miss the salt in this refreshing tomato salad! It's well-seasoned with cayenne pepper, mustard seed and vinegar but not the least bit spicy. This dish is always a hit at potlucks. —Nan Rickey, Yuma, ArizonaBacon Caprese Salad
In summer, I am always looking for ways to use the fresh basil and tomatoes that grow in my herb garden. This recipe combines the two flavors in a wonderful salad that you can make any time of year! —Mary Ann Turk, Joplin, MOHeirloom Tomato & Zucchini Salad
Tomato wedges give this salad a juicy bite. It's a great use of fresh herbs and veggies from your own garden or the farmers market. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, WisconsinBroiled Parmesan and Swiss Tomatoes
Planning to serve steak or tenderloin? These cheesy tomatoes make the ideal accompaniment. Plus, the recipe is simple to double for guests. —Mary Price, Youngstown, OhioTomato and Avocado Salad
Here's a cool alternative to guacamole. The slightly tart dressing showcases the garden-fresh flavors of ruby-red tomatoes and ripe avocados. —Taste of Home Test KitchenFresh Heirloom Tomato Salad
This tomato salad is a summertime must. The standout dressing takes these tasty ingredients to a brand-new level. —Taste of Home Test KitchenNo-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce
Try this sauce at times when you have a box of pasta or a store-bought pizza shell and need a sure-fire topping. Dinner is served. —Julianne Schnuck, Taste of Home DesignerFestive Tomato Wedges
Since I have a large vegetable and herb garden, many of the ingredients in this recipe are truly "homegrown". I found this simple recipe in a magazine years ago and it quickly became a favorite at family picnics. I have five married children and seven grandchildren, and they all love to come home for some of "Mom's cooking". —Wilma Purcell, Alma, IllinoisBalsamic Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad recipes are my absolute favorite! This fast, fresh salad is a winner at every get together. It's an easygoing, healthy side dish for kabobs, chicken or anything hot off the grill. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VirginiaDill Garden Salad
I love to cut up whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand and toss them with this delicious dressing and fresh dill. This salad shows up on our table regularly during the summer. —Bethany Martin, Lewisburg, PennsylvaniaFresh Tomato Relish
My two grown sons actually eat this as a salad, but that's a bit too hot for me! The recipe's from my late husband's mother, and I haven't varied it over the years. I usually make a batch as soon as the first tomatoes of the season are ready. —Lela Baskins, Windsor, MissouriSliced Tomato Salad
I got this recipe from my grandmother. It's a perfect platter to serve with burgers or hot sandwiches. —Kendal Tangedal, Plentywood, MontanaGrilled Tomato with Fresh Corn
Grilling the tomatoes and corn makes this side dish feel special and it's so simple to do. I like to serve it with French bread, but it's "killer" dished up on its own. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, CaliforniaLayered Garden Bean Salad
For easy entertaining, cover and refrigerate the salad a few hours before guests arrive so you don't have to bother with last-minute assembly. Turn it into a light lunch by adding sliced rotisserie chicken, salmon or tuna. —Melissa Wharton, Cincinnati, OhioGrilled Pizza with Greens & Tomatoes
This smoky grilled pizza scores big with me for two reasons. It encourages my husband and son to eat greens, and it showcases fresh produce. —Sarah Gray, Erie, ColoradoBut how do you store tomatoes until you’re ready to get your fix? Our Test Kitchen experts have the answers:
Should You Store Tomatoes in the Refrigerator?
Not unless they’re fully ripe. Chilling stops ripening in its tracks, so unless your tomatoes are at their absolute peak of ripeness, you’ll never get a ripe tomato. However, if you have perfectly ripe tomatoes that you just don’t have time to use at that moment, you can store them in the fridge. A ripe tomato can last a day or two in the fridge without ill effects.
Don’t leave them to cool longer than a couple of days. Chilled tomatoes will start to dehydrate, so kiss that juicy tomato slice goodbye. Also, the flesh of the tomato will get mealy or mushy.
That being said, you should always eat tomatoes at room temperature for optimum flavor and texture. Just let them warm up to room temperature before slicing and putting on a salad or sandwich.
How to Store Tomatoes That Aren’t Ripe
Skip the fridge if tomatoes aren’t ripe. Store them at room temperature, instead. While it’s pretty to put tomatoes on a windowsill, you’re better off keeping your tomatoes in the basement or a cupboard. You want the tomatoes to continue to ripen after being picked, but you don’t want them to go so quickly that they’ll start to spoil.
Since these beauties are so delicate, you’ll also want to keep them in one single layer so their weight doesn’t crush their neighbors. If one does get a little smushed, use it before it causes the others to rot. Air movement is also key when it comes to freshness. A plate or wicker basket allows air to move around the tomatoes, resulting in slightly longer life.
Store tomatoes with the stems down. This helps prevent moisture from escaping through the stem. It also may help prevent any mold growth around the stem.
How to Store Tomatoes Long-Term
Our reader’s share their best tips for long-term tomato storage:
Put extra garden tomatoes in a plastic freezer bag and store in your freezer. To use in soup, stew or sauce, just hold the frozen tomatoes under warm water, and the skins will slip right off. Drop the whole skinless tomatoes into the pot-they’ll break up during cooking, which also saves time chopping. —Elaine T., Palmetto, Florida
When our garden is producing a bountiful harvest of tomatoes, I make tomato “muffins.” I ladle peeled and cored tomatoes into muffin pans and pop them in the freezer. When they’re solid, I take the tomatoes out of the pans and slip them into plastic bags, so they’re ready to add to soups, chili and other recipes. —Barbara Kynock, Centreville, Nova Scotia
To quickly use a huge supply of garden tomatoes, I wash and core them, then puree in the blender with lemon juice, onion and celery to taste. This makes a great vegetable juice. I simmer several batches until slightly thickened for spaghetti sauce or until very thick for pizza sauce. I store it in the freezer. —Marion W., Greenfield, Wisconsin