How to Freeze Fresh Tomatoes the Easy Way (No Canning)
Knowing how to freeze fresh tomatoes is one of those simple kitchen skills that can save you time, money, and a lot of wasted produce during the busy summer months.
Every year, gardens seem to produce tomatoes faster than most people can eat them, and before long they are sharing them and looking for ways to preserve them. While canning is a wonderful option, sometimes we need a quicker, easier solution that doesn’t require special equipment or an entire afternoon in the kitchen.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been blessed with an abundance of fresh tomatoes. A sweet couple from our church has shared several with us, and my parents recently brought over a lot of tomatoes from my uncle’s garden.
After making a big batch of my favorite roasted salsa, I still had plenty of tomatoes left. Rather than letting them spoil, I decided to do something to preserve them.
My dad and I used to make and can salsa, and it was a pretty big deal. I thought about canning all of these tomatoes, but honestly, I wanted something much easier. That’s when I decided to freeze them.
Why Freeze Tomatoes Instead of Canning Them?
Don’t get me wrong, I love home-canned foods (especially when someone else has done the canning.) 🙂 There is something satisfying about seeing jars lined up on pantry shelves, but it can be a little back breaking. Plus, sometimes life gets busy.
Freezing tomatoes is the easiest way I have found to preserve an abundant harvest without spending an entire day canning. There are no special supplies to buy, no water bath, no pressure canner, and no complicated steps.
All you have to do is prepare them, freeze them, and enjoy them later.
If you’ve never frozen fresh tomatoes before, you will be surprised at just how easy it is. With only a few minutes of preparation, you have tomatoes ready to use in soups, stews, chili, spaghetti sauce, casseroles, homemade salsa, and so many other recipes long after tomato season has ended.
So if your tomato plants produce more tomatoes than you can eat, or if generous friends bring you lots of fresh tomatoes, this method is a great way to make sure none of them go to waste.
What You’ll Need for Freezing Tomatoes
Some helpful supplies include:
- Parchment paper
- Cookie or baking sheet
- Gallon or pint size freezer-safe bags
- Sharp paring knife
- Large cutting board
- Food processor (For turning tomatoes into salsa)
How to Freeze Fresh Tomatoes
#1 Wash the Tomatoes
- Rinse each tomato well under cold water to remove dirt and debris. Allow them to dry or pat them dry with a clean towel.
#2 Remove the Core and any Bad Spots
- Using a small knife, cut out the stem core.
- Inspect each tomato and trim away bruises, blemishes, or soft spots.
Starting with healthy tomatoes gives you the best quality after freezing.
#3 Cut the Tomatoes in Half
- Using a sharp knife, slice each tomato in half.
- Larger tomatoes can also be quartered if you prefer smaller pieces for cooking.
It is actually okay to leave the tomatoes whole if you want, but they may take longer to freeze.
#4 Place on a Lined Cookie Sheet
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the tomato halves in a single layer.
This prevents them from freezing together into one giant clump.
#5 Flash Freeze
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours or overnight until the tomatoes are completely frozen.
This process is called flash freezing, and it helps keep the pieces separated. It is very helpful when you start using them. You can easily pull out a few tomatoes and keep the rest frozen.
#6 Store in Freezer Bags
- Transfer the frozen tomato pieces into freezer-safe zip-top bags or an airtight container designed for freezing.
- Remove as much air as possible before sealing. If you have a vacuum sealer, they are very helpful. Instead of pulling out all of that equipment, I just used freezer bags and tried to press as much air out of the baggies as possible.
- Label each freezer bag or the freezer containers with the date.
Frozen tomatoes are best used within 8–12 months for the best flavor and quality.
What Happens When Tomatoes Freeze?
Tomatoes contain a lot of water, so when they are frozen, the water inside the tomato expands. Once you thaw them, the tomatoes are much softer than they were when fresh. That is perfectly normal.
Because of this texture change, frozen tomatoes are not good for slicing and using for sandwiches or adding to fresh salads. However, they are perfect for recipes where they’ll be cooked.
The Best Part? The Tomato Skins Slip Right Off!
One of my favorite things about freezing tomatoes is how easily the skins come off. After thawing for a few minutes, all you have to do is grab the loosened skin and pull. It peels away with almost no effort.
If you’ve ever spent time blanching tomatoes just to remove the skins, you’ll appreciate how much easier this method is.
The Best Ways to Use Frozen Tomatoes
Frozen tomatoes are wonderful for:
- Homemade spaghetti sauce
- Tomato soup
- Creamy Tortellini Soup
- Chili
- Vegetable soup
- Beef Stew
- Green Chile Stew
- Taco soup
- Homemade salsa
- Pasta sauce
- Crock Pot meals
- Casseroles
- Pizza sauce
- Homemade tomato sauce
If your recipe calls for peeled tomatoes, just thaw them first and remove the skins or add them frozen to soups and slow cooker recipes.
Tips for Success
- Choose ripe tomatoes – The better the tomato is going into the freezer, the better it will taste later.
- Freeze in meal-sized portions – Package tomatoes in amounts you’ll actually use for recipes. This saves time later and prevents waste.
- Remove excess air – Press out as much air as possible before sealing freezer bags to reduce freezer burn. I couldn’t get a lot of the air out by pressing, so I used what I am calling the “straw method” to remove excess air from the freezer bags.
- Label everything – Always write the date on each bag so you know which tomatoes to use first.
- Keep a bag handy – As you are preparing the tomatoes (and even other produce), keep a grocery bag on the counter to keep the trash in. When you are finished, it goes right into the trash and all is clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can leave the tomatoes whole, but cutting them in half first makes them freeze more quickly.
For the best quality, use frozen tomatoes within 8–12 months.
Yes. Many soups, stews, and slow cooker recipes can use frozen tomatoes without thawing first.
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A Simple Faith Reflection
Seeing boxes of fresh tomatoes sitting on my kitchen counter made me think about how God always provides.
Sometimes His blessings come in unexpected ways – a visit from a friend, vegetables from a neighbor’s garden, or a box of tomatoes shared with love.
Instead of letting those blessings go to waste, we can manage them wisely and enjoy them for months to come.
Whether it’s a meal shared around the table or vegetables tucked away in the freezer for another day, every blessing is a reminder of God’s goodness and His faithful provision.
Final Thoughts
Freezing tomatoes has become my favorite method for preserving tomatoes without the time and effort of canning. It’s such a quick and easy method that is incredibly practical for busy families.
If your garden is overflowing, or someone blesses you with more tomatoes than you can use right away, don’t let them go to waste. Spend a few easy minutes preparing them today, and you’ll be thankful months from now when you’re making a warm pot of soup or your favorite homemade spaghetti sauce with tomatoes that taste like summer.
Happy freezing!
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Until next time,
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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19
Excited to try this, Susan! Our cherry tomatoes are doing really well, but our beefsteak tomatoes are getting so hot they’re splitting before we can even enjoy them. I might try to pick them a little early and see if they’ll ripen inside. These recipes all look delicious, and I don’t want to miss out! Hugs, CoCo