It’s one thing to purchase freshly cut tomatoes from the farmer’s market, but it’s another thing to store the tomatoes to prevent them from getting spoiled. Many people get confused about whether to store the tomatoes in the fridge or not. Some people think storing tomatoes in this manner will make them lose their freshness, but that’s not true; it is simply because they do not know how to store tomatoes in the fridge properly.

Whether you want to use your tomatoes for a tomato-based sauce, tomato slicings as food toppings, or eat them raw like an apple, this article has everything you need to know about how to store tomatoes in the fridge for weeks while still retaining their freshness. Scroll down the paragraphs below to learn how.

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Best Ways To Store Tomatoes In The Fridge

There are many ways to store your tomatoes in the fridge. However, not all tomatoes can be stored there. Read on to check out the types of tomatoes that can be stored in the fridge and how to properly store them.

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Ripe Tomatoes

If your tomatoes are ripe and you’re not ready to consume them immediately, the best way to retain their freshness and flavor is to store them in the fridge.

Storing ripe tomatoes in the fridge preserves them and increases their life expectancy. Unfortunately, ripe tomatoes don’t usually last long before they spoil, and gradually they become stale, so it is best to refrigerate them.

How to store ripe tomatoes in the fridge

Since it is not advisable to store tomatoes for more than 4 hours at room temperature, it is much better to properly store them in a fridge. To do this, simply:

• Rinse your tomatoes properly.

• Pour into an airtight plastic container or zip-top fridge storage bags. Make sure to completely remove all extra air for long-lasting storage.

• If you store your tomatoes in storage bags, spread them out in a thin layer to prevent them from stacking on one another. This is essential to help them last longer.

• Reduce the temperature of the fridge to 55°F to maintain its storage. However, it must be consumed within a few days to get the flavorful taste. It can last for weeks, but the taste of the tomatoes will be reduced by then.

Note: Before using/serving refrigerated tomatoes, it is advisable to bring them back to room temperature. Cold temperatures dull the flavors of tomatoes. To hasten the process, open up your tomatoes into smaller slices while they are still cold.

Storing your tomatoes in the fridge can increase their life expectancy to two weeks, depending on how well you preserve them. Refrigerating your tomatoes slows down their ripening processes and prevents them from getting bland.

Ripe tomatoes stored in the fridge taste better than those kept at room temperature. However, very good, high-risk, and ripe tomatoes do better in the fridge than those with lower quality. This simply means how the tomatoes look after refrigerating depends on the type of tomatoes stored in the fridge.

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Sliced Tomatoes

It is best to keep your tomatoes whole in the fridge without exposing any of their parts, but when you have already sliced tomatoes and you don’t want to consume them immediately, the best way to preserve them is refrigeration. This keeps them fresh and flavorful for a long time.

How to store already sliced tomatoes in the fridge

• Tightly cover the cut or exposed side with a plastic wrap and loosely wrap the other side, or you can store it in a container.

• Place the tomatoes on a small plate upside down ( with the cut side facing downwards)

• Store in a fridge for a few days. It can’t last for weeks, so try to use the sliced tomatoes within two to three days. However, if, after a few days, the sliced tomatoes are not consumed, it is better to store in the freezer. Otherwise, they will spoil.

Note: Sliced tomatoes are best enjoyed if they are removed 20 – 30 minutes before consumption to bring them back to room temperature.

Overripe Tomatoes

Once your ripe tomatoes become overripe, you can store them in a fridge instead of throwing them away. Refrigerating overripe tomatoes slows down its spoiling process, just like it slows down the ripening of ripe tomatoes.

How to store overripe tomatoes in the fridge

• Rinse your tomatoes properly and remove stems if there are any.

• Pour them into well-sealed storage bags or airtight containers to prevent air from penetrating them.

• Store them in a fridge for a few days, but keep in mind that the tomatoes must be restored to room temperature before consumption. Room temperature tomatoes have the best flavor, and you don’t want to miss that.

Overripe tomatoes are the best type used for preparing relishes, tomato sauces, homemade tomato paste, and more. So, don’t throw away your overripe tomatoes; store them in your fridge and use them whenever you need them, especially when you prepare bisquick dumpling recipes. 

Can under ripe tomatoes be refrigerated?

Underripe tomatoes cannot be stored in the fridge because refrigerating prevents them from getting ripe, which causes them to lose their flavor. Instead of storing the tomatoes in the fridge, place them upside down (with the stem facing down) inside a tray or plate and keep them under room temperature to prevent moisture loss. Don’t allow them to be stacked on top of one another to help prevent bruising.

After storing them at room temperature until they fully ripen, you can store them in a fridge. The ripeness of the tomatoes determines whether they should be stored in a fridge or not.

In conclusion

There’s so much argument and debate on whether to store tomatoes in the fridge or not. Many believe you shouldn’t, because it affects their taste, flavor, and other flimsy reasons. But in reality, one of the best ways to store your tomatoes is by refrigerating them. However, only ripe, sliced, and overripe tomatoes can be stored in the fridge.

To better enjoy your refrigerated tomatoes, take them out a few minutes before using or eating the tomatoes to restore them to room temperature. Cold temperatures dull the tomatoes’ flavor while room temperatures help to restore the flavor. I hope you found this article helpful in properly storing your tomatoes in a fridge.