Can You Freeze Cherry Tomatoes? A Complete How-To Guide

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Yes, cherry tomatoes can be frozen. This is one of the easiest ways to keep them fresh. It's easy to store your summer harvest for months when you freeze it. Cherry tomatoes that have been frozen can be used whole, roasted, or chopped.

They taste great in soups, sauces, and cooked meals. They get soft after being frozen, but the taste stays the same. This article tells you the right way to freeze them and why.

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Can You Freeze Cherry Tomatoes?

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A simple and smart way to get the most out of your summer garden is to freeze cherry tomatoes. There may be extra fruit on your tomato plants that you can't eat right away.

Don't throw it away. It's easy to freeze cherry tomatoes, then you can use them in recipes all year round. This method works well for whole cherry tomatoes, chopped ones, and even roasted cherry tomatoes.

How to Freeze Cherry Tomatoes

If you want to save time and freezer space, freezing cherry tomatoes is the preferred method to keep them fresh. If you're not ready to can tomatoes or don't want to peel them, this is the best thing for you. Whether you grow Roma tomatoes or grape tomatoes, freezing them will work.

• Flash Freeze First: Spread out clean, dry tomatoes in a single layer on a baking or cookie sheet.

• Transfer to Freezer Bags: Once they are frozen solid, put them in bags or containers that can go in the freezer.

• Remove Air: To avoid freezer burn, use a vacuum sealer or squeeze out as much air as you can.

• Label and Store: Put the tomatoes in freezer bags and write the date on them. Frozen tomatoes maintain their best quality for 8–12 months when stored in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed.

Prep Tips Before Freezing

Cut up some ripe, firm tomatoes to start. Avoid fruits that are too soft or ripe. Before freezing, wash very well and let dry completely. For a quick wash, use a clean sink with cold water. You can let tomatoes dry in the air or use a towel to dry them.

You might want to chop or roast the tomatoes first if you want to use them in tomato sauce or soups.

• Chop or Dice: To save time when cooking, cut into sizes that can be used.

• Roast Before Freezing: Salt, pepper, herbs, and olive oil should be used to roast them in the oven.

• Cool Before Freezing: After roasting cherry tomatoes, let them cool down before putting them on a baking sheet.

• Freeze in Portions: You can freeze cherry tomatoes in the amounts you use in recipes all the time.

Do Cherry Tomatoes Get Mushy After Freezing?

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Yes, cherry tomatoes become less firm when they are frozen. When these tomatoes thaw, their cell walls break because they have a lot of water in them, just like most fresh tomatoes. This might not be the best thing to eat raw, but it works great in stews and sauces when cooked.

What to Expect from Texture

Cherry tomatoes that have been frozen can't be used in fresh salads. However, they work great for baking, cooking in a pot, or making sauces. When they're thawed, the skins often come off easily, like when you peel tomatoes after blanching them in boiling water.

• Texture After Thaw: When tomatoes thaw, they should become soft or burst.

• Not for Raw Use: Don't use in fresh salads or other dishes that need firm fruits.

• Best for Cooking: Use in stews, soups, or sauces where a mushy texture is okay.

• Skins Slip Off: It's easy to peel off frozen tomato skins without blanching them first.

Ideal Dishes for Frozen Tomatoes

You can cook frozen tomatoes down the most when you put them in hot food. Thawing is not required for soups or stews, but is recommended for quick-cook recipes to reduce water release.

• Use in Soups: Put frozen tomatoes right into soups or stews that are already cooking.

• Make Sauce: For pasta sauce, cook it down in a large pot with herbs, garlic, and onions.

• Blend for Purée: A stick blender can be used to make tomato soup smooth.

• Roast Frozen Cherry Tomatoes: For a rich, caramelized taste, reheat or roast.

What Is the Best Way to Preserve Cherry Tomatoes?

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You can freeze cherry tomatoes to keep them fresh, but that's not the only way. They can be roasted, dried out, juiced, or even canned. There are pros and cons to each method, depending on where you want to store the tomatoes and how you plan to use them later.

Comparing Preservation Methods

Each way works for various recipes and needs. Some, like canning, need more time or tools. Some, like freezing roasted cherry tomatoes, make the flavors stronger.

• Freeze Cherry Tomatoes: It's quick, simple, and tastes almost like fresh food.

• Roast and Freeze: This spice is best for adding depth to sauces.

• Dehydrate: This is a great snack or tomato powder.

• Canning Tomatoes: Good to store for a long time without putting them in the freezer.

Choose the Best Method for You

You should choose the method that works best for you based on your time, freezer space, and plans for how you will use the tomatoes later. Freezing is great for making soup quickly, but canning is better for storing food in the pantry.

• Quick Meals: Chop or roast tomatoes and freeze them in portions that are ready to use.

• Rich Flavor: Before you freeze, roast with olive oil and spices.

• Long-Term Storage: If you want jars that will last, use canning..

• No Freezer Space: Freeze tomato slices or make tomato paste to save space.

What Can Frozen Cherry Tomatoes Be Used For?

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You can add flavor to many cooked dishes with frozen tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes should only be used in hot recipes where the texture doesn't matter after they have been frozen. When you cook frozen cherry tomatoes, they lose some of their firmness, but their flavor gets stronger.

You can enjoy the taste of a fresh garden all year by adding them to meals straight from the freezer, without having to let them thaw first.

Best Ways to Use Frozen Tomatoes

You can cook down frozen cherry tomatoes into rich sauces or blend them into soups without any lumps. Cherry tomatoes that have been roasted also give simple dishes more depth. They taste strong and sweet whether you roast, boil, or sauté them.

• Make Tomato Sauce: For a quick sauce, cook frozen tomatoes with garlic, salt, and pepper for a while.

• Use in Soups or Stews: Add whole tomatoes to a pot of vegetables or broth that is already boiling.

• Roast Frozen Cherry Tomatoes: To make a sweet, caramelized flavor, roast with olive oil and spices.

• Sauté for Pasta: To make a quick tomato base, cook onions, herbs, and olive oil together.

Ideas from Real Gardeners

People who have big tomato plants often come up with unique ways to store and use their tomatoes. A clean sink, a cookie sheet, and freezer-safe bags are all you need. You don't need extra time or fancy tools. Gardeners and homesteaders on Reddit suggest a lot of good uses.

• Blend into Juice: To make tomato juice or purée, put tomatoes that have been thawed tomatoes in a blender.

• Freeze in Halves: To make it easier to portion, cut tomatoes slightly and freeze them in a single layer.

• Make Sautéed Meals: Stir-fry meals with fresh garlic and herbs and diced tomatoes.

• Try Skewers or Grilled Uses: To kabobs with olive oil and spices, add cherry tomatoes that have been thawed.

What Does FullyHealthy.com Say About Preserving Tomatoes?

Fully Healthy is a store that sells clean foods for people who follow the AIP or allergen-free lifestyle. It's not specifically about cherry tomatoes, but it does support freezer-friendly and no-additive ways to store food. It gives alternatives, like clean spices and storage tips, for people who don't want to eat canned goods or nightshades.

Website Focus and Offerings

People can buy gluten-free snacks, spices, and things that help them cook without adding anything else. It supports using clean ways to store food and fresh ingredients.

• Promotes Freezer Use: Encourages using freezer-safe ways to store fresh meals.

• Sells AIP-Compliant Spices: Use with frozen tomatoes to add flavor without adding anything bad.

• Supports Clean Eating: Helps people keep their garden produce fresh without using chemicals.

• No Direct Tomato Tips: For people on special diets, it's the same as freezing tomatoes instead of canning them.

How It Connects to Tomato Preservation

FullyHealthy.com doesn't give specific instructions on how to freeze cherry tomatoes, but the site's philosophy on healthy eating fits well with freezer storage methods. The site encourages cooking without adding any extra ingredients, which goes well with using frozen cherry tomatoes in healthy recipes.

• Use Freezer Bags: To avoid the additives that come in canned foods, store fresh cherry tomatoes in bags that can go in the freezer.

• Vacuum Seal for Freshness: Get rid of any excess air to keep the flavor and avoid freezer burn.

• Skip Canning: If you don't want to can your tomatoes, freezing them is a better option.

• Pair with Clean Spices: Herbs and spices that are okay for the AIP can be used to naturally season frozen tomatoes.

Final Thoughts

When your tomato plants are overflowing in the summer, cherry tomatoes are easy to store. For soups and other recipes, the taste is still great whether you roast cherry tomatoes or freeze them whole. To save freezer space, freeze whole tomatoes on a baking sheet after giving them a quick wash. Then, put them in freezer bags.

You can eat diced tomatoes with garlic, salt, pepper, stems, and seeds, even if you don't want to can them. You can cook from frozen or let it thaw first; no mush, just flavor. You could try other ways, like roasting them in the oven or canning them if you have more time.

FAQs

Why should you not put cherry tomatoes in the fridge?

Refrigeration can reduce flavor and texture over time, but short-term fridge storage (2–3 days) is safe in warm conditions.

What is the best way to freeze fresh tomatoes?

Freeze tomatoes whole or in half without seasoning. Add salt and pepper after thawing or during cooking.

How to unfreeze cherry tomatoes?

Thaw tomatoes whole at room temperature or add directly to soups or oven dishes without peeling or canning.

What do I do with too many cherry tomatoes?

Preserve with canning, freeze with salt and pepper, or roast in the oven—use for soups, garden sauces, or save whole tomatoes for later.

Can you freeze cherry tomatoes in a Ziploc bag?

Yes, freeze tomatoes whole or in half with seeds and stems, add salt and pepper, then seal in Ziploc freezer bags to save freezer space and skip canning.