How to Store Tomatoes

Storing tomatoes means keeping them at the right temperature and humidity to maintain flavor and texture. Different ripeness levels need different storage methods.

Why it matters

Proper storage extends tomato life by 5-14 days. Room temperature storage preserves flavor compounds that refrigeration destroys below 55F. Ripe tomatoes last 3-5 days on the counter versus 7-10 days when stored correctly. Green tomatoes can ripen perfectly over 2-3 weeks with the right method.

What you need

Wire or wooden produce basket with 2-inch spacing between tomatoesPaper towels or newspaper for wrappingPerforated plastic produce bagsCool pantry or counter space at 60-70FRefrigerator crisper drawer for fully ripe tomatoes only

Steps

1

Sort tomatoes by ripeness level. Green tomatoes feel rock hard. Partially ripe ones give slightly when pressed. Ripe tomatoes yield to gentle pressure and smell sweet at the stem end. Overripe ones feel soft with wrinkled skin.

2

Store green tomatoes stem-side down in a single layer at 65-70F. Place them on newspaper in a cardboard box. They'll turn pink in 7-14 days. Check daily after day 5. The skin changes from shiny to matte when ripening starts.

3

Keep partially ripe tomatoes in a wire basket on the counter at 68-72F. Space them 2 inches apart for airflow. They'll ripen in 3-5 days. The shoulders turn from green to yellow first. Full red color develops from bottom to top.

4

Place fully ripe tomatoes stem-side down on a plate lined with paper towels. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days. The flesh feels firm but gives slightly when pressed. Sweet tomato smell intensifies at the stem scar.

5

Refrigerate only overripe tomatoes in a perforated bag in the crisper drawer at 40-45F. Use within 3-5 days. Cold storage stops ripening completely. The texture becomes mealy after 7 days. Condensation forms inside the bag after 24 hours.

6

Wrap cut tomatoes tightly in plastic wrap. Press the wrap directly against the cut surface. Refrigerate for up to 2 days. The exposed flesh darkens within 4 hours at room temperature. Juice leaks out if not wrapped properly.

Common Mistakes

Refrigerating tomatoes below 55F

What happens: Destroys flavor compounds and creates mealy texture

Fix: Store at 60-70F unless overripe

Stacking tomatoes in bowls

What happens: Bottom tomatoes bruise and rot in 24-48 hours

Fix: Store in single layers with 2-inch spacing

Storing near ethylene producers like bananas

What happens: Tomatoes overripen in 1-2 days instead of 5-7 days

Fix: Keep 3 feet away from apples, bananas, melons

Leaving stems on cherry tomatoes

What happens: Stems puncture neighboring tomatoes causing rot spots

Fix: Remove all stems before storage

Troubleshooting

If:

if tomatoes develop soft brown spots

Then: Cut out spots with 1-inch margin and use immediately. Increase air circulation by spacing 3 inches apart

If:

if green tomatoes won't ripen after 2 weeks

Then: Raise temperature to 70-75F and add one ripe apple to the box. Ethylene gas speeds ripening by 3-5 days

Related Techniques

How to Blanch VegetablesHow to Freeze Food Properly
Freezing TomatoesFreezing preserves tomatoes for 8-12 months but destroys fresh texture
Canning TomatoesCanning uses heat processing to store tomatoes for 12-18 months at room temperature

FAQ

Should I wash tomatoes before storing?

Never wash before storage. Moisture promotes rot within 24-48 hours. Tomatoes have a natural protective coating that washing removes. Wash only right before eating. Dry storage extends life by 3-5 days compared to washed tomatoes. Room temperature water works best for washing.

Can I speed up ripening?

Place green tomatoes in a paper bag with one ripe banana. The banana releases ethylene gas at 15-20 times the rate of tomatoes. Fold the bag closed and store at 70-75F. Check after 2 days. Most tomatoes ripen in 3-4 days versus 7-10 days without the banana. Temperature below 60F stops ripening completely.

Why do my tomatoes split on the counter?

Rapid temperature changes cause splitting. Moving tomatoes from 45F refrigeration to 75F room temperature creates expansion stress. The skin cracks within 2-4 hours. Prevent splitting by warming refrigerated tomatoes gradually over 12 hours. Consistent 65-70F storage reduces splitting by 80 percent. Very ripe tomatoes split more easily than firm ones.

How do I store heirloom tomatoes?

Heirlooms need gentler handling than standard varieties. Their thin skins bruise with just 2 pounds of pressure. Store them stem-side up, unlike regular tomatoes. Use within 2-3 days at 65-68F. Refrigeration ruins their texture in under 24 hours. Wrap each tomato individually in paper towels. Stack no more than 2 deep in shallow boxes.