How to Freeze Tomatoes

University of Maine Cooperative Extension demonstrates how to preserve tomatoes by freezing.

[JonFrumTheFirst]

When using a vacuum bag system, you can freeze them on a tray first, and then bag them and draw off the air and return them to the freezer. This prevents the vacuum from crushing the tomatoes.

[kjh]

It has been two years since I last canned tomatoes.

Thank you for the freezing tip. After watching your video, I used a straw on the bag prior freezing to create a vacuum to remove excess air. It is not film worthy, but it helps.

Today I am canning my frozen tomatoes. Regardless which way I use them, I realize there is a step I missed. First I thaw of course, but then I need to make sure I look through each tomato for those nasty things that sometimes haunt tomatoes... which I am guessing is about 10-20% of my tomatoes.These are Big Boys, but I have never seen them in Romas.

So, I won't be going straight to the food processor. Regardless, after freezing it will now be easy to remove the skins!

[Newfie]

Remove skins by dropping frozen tomatoes into a bowl of hot tap water for 20-30 seconds. The skins will slide right off and you pop them into your pot and cook.

[biankabryant]

I never knew you could freeze tomatoes 😮

[TheUniversityofMaine]

You can freeze them sliced as well, but remember that the changes due to freezing may alter the end product you are using them for. For example, if you were slicing and freezing green tomatoes to use for fried green tomatoes, the product would be a lot "mushier" in texture than what you would expect from a fried green tomato made from a fresh tomato. Please remember to use freezer grade materials when freezing to increase the quality of your frozen products.

[pgo]

THANKS!!! That was just too easy, you still get an 'A'!!!

[spitharoo]

Thank you, just what I was looking for.

[bigpardner]

If you are using paste tomatoes primarily for sauces, do changes caused caused by freezing really make a difference? Would it make a difference what stage of processing you freeze them in; whole skinned, skinned halved and deseeded, cut up, etc.? Thank you

[TheUniversityofMaine]

Yes, green tomatoes can be frozen. Remember that when foods are frozen, the freezing process does change the product and it has less structure and a softer texture than when it was fresh.

[TheCindyknier]

Please help me understand why the skins need to be removed. They're edible when eaten fresh, so....

[cjn]

I tried this last year, but I didn't core them. Will there be any problems from that? Thanks, You guys are a great extension service.

[bigpardner]

If you are going to peel your tomatoes does it make any difference whether you peel them before or after freezing? Thank you

[johnkycek]

After freezing can the tomatoes be canned at a later time?

[HEARTOFK]

Cool! :)
When u want to use them in a recipe, do u thaw them out? If u do, what is the proper way to thaw them?

[vLife]

Not good for sandwhiches right? not exactly on topic, but I am wondering if okay to store one large tomato, onion and green pepper in sealed jar deep inside a hot (100F max) van for 4 days in Florida without refridgeration? The issue i'm having is I have small 12v freezer I set to like 20F (for other vegan items), but no matter how much in insulate and isolate these veggies they still freeze.

[sparrow]

When do you need to add something for acidification? When you use them out of freezer? Is this essential?

[Lovelace]

hi is there a such thing as a true plum tomatoe ?(non hybrid) They only sell roma plum "type" at the stores

[michelleduong]

what's the rationale for hulling them?

[debbieramnarine]

If you freeze tomatoes in large bags, once frozen can you remove them and put into smaller bags. Thanks

[kjh]

Is my understanding correct that I may gather up my tomatoes and freeze them prior canning? I ask as I rather not can just a quart of tomatoes at a time.