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🍅 6 Clever Ways to Keep and Store Tomatoes for Weeks
Tomatoes are a kitchen staple—juicy, flavorful, and packed with nutrients. But they also have a frustratingly short shelf life, especially when they ripen all at once (hello, summer garden overload!). The good news? With just a little know-how, you can store fresh tomatoes for weeks—and still enjoy their full flavor.
Here are 6 clever and effective ways to make your tomatoes last longer, whether you’re working with a bumper crop or just want to cut down on food waste.
1. Store at Room Temperature—Stem Side Down
If your tomatoes are still firm and not fully ripe, keep them on the counter, not in the fridge. Place them stem-side down on a flat surface. This helps prevent moisture and air from entering through the stem scar, which can accelerate spoilage.
đź“Ś Best for: Unripe or just-ripened tomatoes
📆 Lasts: Up to 1–2 weeks
2. Refrigerate Ripe Tomatoes (But Only When Fully Ripened)
Contrary to popular belief, refrigerating fully ripe tomatoes can actually help extend their life without ruining the flavor—if done correctly. Just let them return to room temperature before using, to bring back their texture and taste.
📌 Best for: Very ripe tomatoes you can’t use right away
📆 Lasts: Up to 7 days in the fridge
3. Freeze Them Whole (Yes, Really!)
No time to cook or preserve? Toss whole tomatoes into a freezer-safe bag and freeze. When you need them, run them under warm water to remove the skin and use in sauces, soups, or stews.
đź“Ś Best for: Quick long-term storage for cooking later
📆 Lasts: Up to 6 months
4. Make Tomato Purée or Sauce and Freeze It
If you’ve got a lot of tomatoes on hand, blend them into a purée or cook them into a sauce. Portion into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays for easy use later.
đź“Ś Best for: Large batches or meal prepping
📆 Lasts: 3–4 months in the freezer
