Maybe you ’ve enjoyed ahearty harvestand you ’ve beenplucking plump tomatoesof different change all summer long , or perhaps you ’ve just bring home the ripest picking from the grocery store store . However you ’ve have your helping hand on a few juicytomatoes , you ’ll need to in good order hive away them .

There ’s nothing worse than getting excited for a tomato - basedsummer mealonly to give away they ’ve all gone rotten in the fridge . Speaking of , should you even store tomato plant in the electric refrigerator ? Below , you ’ll unwrap all the best tips , tricks , and methods for properly storing tomatoes to ensure they last as long as possible .

Tools You’ll Need for Storing Tomatoes

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There are a few unlike peter you ’ll need to properly store tomatoes . Below , you ’ll incur the essentials as well as a few optional point look on the storage method acting you pick out .

Storing Tomatoes

Option 1: On the Counter

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Whether you ’ve brought a package of tomatoes home from the food market store or handpicked them from your ownvegetable garden , ripe tomato plant are best put in at elbow room temperature . Because tomatoes continue to ripen off the vine , keep the yield out of direct sunshine to avoid uneven ( further ) ripen . Also , face the fore upwards to contain the fruit from darken and softening .

Keep tomatoes in a ventilated container such as a perforate bowlful or paper bag . good tomato plant will last around two to three days on the riposte while unripe tomatoes can last around five days .

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Pro Tip : This is the best method acting for tomatoes that are n’t totally good since they will continue to ripen on the riposte .

Option 2: Refrigeration

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You should only hive away tomatoes in the fridge once they are in full ripe , otherwise , you should keep them at elbow room temperature to grow the proper flavors . If your tomato are impertinently good and you ’d like them to last a few supererogatory days , you could lay in them in the fridge .

Keep the tomatoes in a penetrate container or newspaper bag and store them in the crisper to reduce water exit . Also , store tomatoes in the fridge for less than three days to debar relish exit . You should also store chopped or slice up tomatoes in the fridge if they are not consumed within two hours of cookery . Keep them in an air - tight container or plastic bag which will last about one to two days in the electric refrigerator .

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Pro Tip : Keep tomato aside from any veggies such aslettucesince the fruit emit ethene petrol , which can make vegetable to ripen too quickly .

Option 3: Freezing

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If you ’re await for something more prospicient - terminus , you’re able to also freeze tomatoes . you may store tomato in any figure , whether they are whole or chop , as well as raw or cooked . Once the love apple immobilise , they may become mushy and are best served as sauce or in soup and casseroles .

Option 4: Dried Tomatoes

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you could also dehydrate tomatoes to preserve them for tenacious . You should utilize firm , ripe tomatoes for drying . Dehydration prison term will depend on the tomato variety , the thickness of the pieces , and the oven or dehydrator used .

As a general rule of thumb , you should lap and cut and then dry the tomato at 140 degrees Fahrenheit ( 60 degree Celcius ) in an oven or dehydrator . This mental process can take between six to 12 hour .

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Store the dried tomatoes in an air - loaded container or charge card bag and place them in the icebox for six to 12 month . you may rehydrate them by pawn them in ardent water or olive oil . Then use them in plenty of different recipes .

Option 5: Canning Tomatoes

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Another option for stack away tomatoes is canning them . you may also hack , gash , or change by reversal the tomatoes into a pureé , soup , or sauce . The Lycopersicon esculentum should bedisease - gratis , ripe , and washed . you may follow any preparation formula you prefer – but remember to store the tomatoes in an air - tight jar or container .

Tips for Storing Tomatoes

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Now that you ’ve learned about all the dissimilar methods for storing and preserving tomatoes , there are a few tips that will aid you along the way . Check them out below .

Ready, Set, Store It!

Tomatoes make a delectable gain to almost every summer repast , and if you stash away and preserve them properly , you’re able to enjoy the delicious flavor throughout the season . you’re able to stash away tomatoes on the counter or in the electric refrigerator for a few days , but you’re able to also preserve them by immobilise , drying , or stack away them as a sauce or puree .

Will you be using any of these method to stack away your impudently harvested tomatoes ? Share below !

bare hands and gloved hands holding a bowl of picked cherry tomatoes

Ripe and unripe tomatoes

Tomatoes in a paper bag

Vegetable compartment of the refrigerator

Frozen red tomatoes. Slices, pieces, puree frozen tomatoes on a wooden board

sun dried red and yellow cherry tomatoes on dehydrator tray

tomato sauce

Tomatoes on a windowsill