How to Freeze Tomatoes: 5 Tips for Freezing Tomatoes

If you have some fresh, ripe tomatoes you want to freeze, there are various methods—from freezing your tomatoes whole to blanching them. Luckily, you can freeze any kind of tomato, from beefsteak tomatoes to plum tomatoes to tomatoes on the vine. Blanching allows you to preserve your tomatoes in a semi-liquid form which is perfect for soups, stews, and chilis. This method also preserves the taste of the tomato and has a low likelihood of developing freezer burn. Here is a quick overview of how to freeze tomatoes by blanching them first.

1. 1. Prepare two pots of water. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Then, take another pot (or large bowl) and fill it with ice water.
2. 2. Wash and cut your tomatoes. Wash your tomatoes and remove their stems. Cut a shallow ‘X’ at the bottom of the tomato. This will allow you to peel the skin away easily after you boil the tomatoes.
3. 3. Blanch the tomatoes. Carefully place your tomatoes in the boiling water and let sit for at least thirty seconds (though this can depend on the size of the tomatoes). The edges of the ‘X’ on the tomato should start to curl or pucker as they boil. Using a slotted spoon, scoop up each tomato and place it in the ice water for a few seconds. Drain the tomatoes in a strainer or colander.
4. 4. Core and peel the tomatoes. Once your tomatoes have cooled, core out the centers, and peel over an empty, straight-sided jar or into a vacuum-sealable bag. Discard the tomato skins.
5. 5. Seal and freeze the tomatoes. Fill an airtight container of choice with your tomatoes. If you’re using a jar as your storage container, give the tomatoes a stir to remove any air (which will prevent freezer burn), but be careful not to overfill it. Place the jar or food storage bag with your frozen tomatoes in the freezer for up to six months.

If you prefer to freeze fresh, whole tomatoes, you can freeze them easily without blanching them. For a quick step-by-step guide on how to freeze unblanched tomatoes, see below.

1. 1. Wash and dry your tomatoes. Individually rinse your tomatoes and wipe them dry with a paper towel.
2. 2. Cut your tomatoes (optional). You can freeze whole or sliced tomatoes, depending on your preference. To freeze your tomatoes in wedges, remove the stem end and the core first and slice them into quarters.
3. 3. Pre-freeze your tomatoes. Lay your whole or cut tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave enough space between each tomato so that they are not touching. Place the tray in the freezer for a few hours. This will help prevent your tomatoes from freezing together so that you can use them individually.
4. 4. Transfer your tomatoes to a bag. Remove your tomatoes from the freezer and place them in a sealable freezer bag. Remove as much of the air from the bag as possible using a vacuum sealer or a straw to prevent freezer burn.

While you should avoid preparing frozen tomatoes in dishes that require fresh tomatoes, frozen tomatoes can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to use frozen tomatoes.

1. 1. Only freeze fresh tomatoes. Make sure that the tomatoes you choose to freeze are fresh, ripe, and in prime condition. Do not freeze tomatoes that have gone mushy or have any unsightly blemishes or bruises.
2. 2. Use them for sauce or pizza. Frozen tomatoes can be used in a number of Italian food recipes, from mushroom pizza to tomato-based pasta sauces. Cook your frozen tomatoes with your choice of Italian seasonings and/or meats for a delicious pizza or spaghetti sauce.
3. 3. Make a vegetable smoothie. Blend your frozen tomatoes with celery, carrots, and peppers to make a savory and nutritious veggie blend. Add your vodka of choice to make it a frozen Bloody Mary.
4. 4. Use them in soups or stews. Frozen tomatoes are especially useful for making tomato-based soups or stewed dishes like shakshuka or chili. Transfer your frozen tomatoes to a pot with chicken bouillon, salt, and other spices to make a simple tomato soup, or blend with other ingredients like lentils or peppers to make a heartier vegetable soup.
5. 5. Defrost your frozen tomatoes before using them. If your chosen recipe requires thawing your frozen tomatoes, you can defrost them in a variety of ways. To defrost your frozen tomatoes, run them under warm water, leave them out at room temperature for an hour, or place them in the refrigerator overnight. Once your tomatoes have thawed, you can easily peel the skin away to use however you need.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Alice Waters, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, and more.