Use these tips for how to freeze cherry tomatoes to easily put up your excess tomaotes.
When I was looking at the Homemade Chunky Tomato Soup from Barb at A Life in Balance the first thing that I noticed was that she used frozen cherry tomatoes in her soup. Although I have been dicing and freezing tomatoes for years, I had never frozen whole cherry tomatoes before.
As I looked at piles of recently picked cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes from my garden, I wondered what to do with them before they turned. I was delighted to find that I could freeze whole cherry tomatoes and even happier when Barb told me the frozen cherry tomatoes hold up well when sauteed.
How to Freeze Cherry Tomatoes:
1. Wash the cherry tomatoes and remove the stem.
2. Pat dry or air dry the tomatoes.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then spread the dry cherry tomatoes on the baking sheet.
4. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and leave it there until the cherry tomatoes are frozen solid, about 2 hours.
5. Remove the frozen tomatoes the from baking sheet and put the frozen cherry tomatoes in a lidded container or a sealable freezer bag.
How to Use Frozen Cherry Tomatoes
You won’t be able to use your frozen cherry tomatoes in dishes uncooked. There will be too much change to their texture in the freezing and thawing process. However, you can use your frozen cherry tomatoes in a number of cooked dishes. They can be added thawed or frozen to a number of recipes during the cooking process.
To Thaw Frozen Cherry Tomatoes:
Remove the frozen cherry tomatoes from the freezer the day before you need them and allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Use the thawed cherry tomatoes as called for in the recipe you are preparing.
Using Frozen Cherry Tomatoes in Recipes:
If a dish will be simmered (soups, stews, sauces) or baked (casseroles) for over 30 minutes or more, you can add the cherry tomatoes while still frozen to the dish and allow them to thaw as they are cooked along with the other ingredients.
Are you interested in freezing other vegetables and fruits? Below are a few more tips for freezing produce.
April says
Any recipes with frozen cherry tomatoes?? Casseroles?
Vickie says
So happy to stumble upon this! Do you have to flash freeze them first and then store or can you just put them in baggies and freeze? Thank you for sharing!
Bobbi says
Can you eat the cherry tomatoes once thawed or will the be mushy? What would you use whole frozen cherry tomatoes in? Or do you slice them up for soups and stews?
Alea Milham says
After being frozen, they will be mushy. You can use them in soups, casseroles, and sauces.
Cindy Vierhus says
What about the peels?
Donna says
You can heat the tomatos and the skins will detach themselves. Push through a sieve or pick out the skins manually.
Sharon Ratini says
I freeze them as indicated above, when I am ready to use them for spaghetti sauce, I thaw, place in blender and puree – skins, seeds, and all. When you make the sauce you would never know the skins are in there, and they have the absolute best, sweetest taste. They also are not watery as regular tomatoes would be.
Susan says
Can I use the frozen, then thawed, tomatoes to roast with garlic, etc. for a pasta sauce? Or will they have lost their texture for roasting?
Alea Milham says
You can still roast them to make pasta sauce.
Maria says
Can yellow cherry tomatoes be frozen the same way
Alea Milham says
Yes, they can.
Marge S says
Wondering if they would be better sliced, roasted and then frozen?
Jessica Denny says
Could you dice them up first to save freezer space?
Alea Milham says
Yes, you can.
Tess says
How long will they be food for in the freezer?
Alea Milham says
I usually leave them in the freezer for 3 months, but they should be good for up to 6 months.
JoLen Brannon says
if you use them in soups and stews what do you do about the skins
Alea Milham says
I leave them on. However, if you that them before adding them to the soup, the skin easily slides off.
Emily says
What will they still be good to use for after being frozen? Just curious what I will be able to do with mine once thawed. Thanks!
Alea Milham says
You can use them in soups, stews, chili, casseroles. You can also use them in sauces like spaghetti sauce, marinara sauce, and pizza sauce.
sandy says
I am so happy I found this. I grow cherry tomatoes on my patio an they are so good. I have been giving them away because I have so many and people love them. I am going to freeze them now so I have them later. Thank you!
Valerie says
Thanks for the tip I have a million cherry tomatoes and was not sure how to preserve them
Tammy L says
Neat tip! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Tammy
Richa@HobbyandMore says
Never thought of freezing the yummy cherry tomatoes.. cool idea.. i miss them in winter.
thanks for hosting the Hearth and Soul blog hop!