Freezing Fresh Tomatoes, Step by Step
Updated: Oct. 18, 2023
If you harvest a bumper crop, follow this easy process for freezing fresh tomatoes. Then use them all year to make soups, sauces and salsas.
Although I grow many different kinds of vegetables, I love my tomatoes best. This means I grow a lot of them, and I need to store the surplus. Here’s an easy method for freezing fresh tomatoes.
This growing season, I decided to try out a different type of tomato in my garden. Of course, I planted my usual cherry tomato plant because my kids just love them and they are great with salad. But I decided that I wanted to make sauce out of my tomatoes. So I planted three San Marzano tomato plants. This type of tomato is grown near Naples, Italy, and is famous for being used in Italian cooking.
As you can see, San Marzano tomatoes are similar to a Roma tomato. Both have an elongated shape. But their skins are thinner and they have fewer seeds. They have a strong, sweet taste and are less acidic than other tomatoes. Whatever type of tomato that you like to grow, you can follow the same process as I did to freeze them.
Check out 6 genius ways to use up extra tomatoes and veggies.
Freezing Fresh Tomatoes, Step by Step
- Make a small “X” cut on the bottom of the tomato.
- Place tomato in boiling water for 30 to 40 seconds. Then carefully remove the tomato and place in ice-cold water until cool.
- Drain the tomatoes and peel off the skin. It should come off easily but will feel a bit messy. My kids like to help me with this part.
- Cut in half, lengthwise and remove the green stem from both sides.
- Use your fingers or a small spoon and carefully scoop out the seeds, which can cause sauce to taste bitter. (Here’s how to save tomato seeds from your harvest).
- 6. Once they look like this (below), put them in a plastic freezer bag. Take care to remove all of the air from the bag before sealing. Then place the bags in the freezer until you are ready to use the tomatoes.
Of course, you do not have to freeze tomatoes if you are going to use them right away. But, this a great way to store your tomatoes and bring them back out in the cooler months to enjoy the fresh taste of tomatoes in sauce, soups and salsa.
Psst—avoid making these common tomato garden mistakes.
Next, learn how to store vegetables so they stay fresh longer.
