How to Freeze Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes can grow like crazy, and all tend to ripen at once! If you grow them in your home garden, you’re bound to have a bumper crop at some point. Or you could come across a great deal in the produce section and end up with more cherry tomatoes you can use.

These sweet little fresh tomatoes are tasty in salads, sauces, and so much more, but having too many is a common problem! I love sharing cherry tomatoes with friends, family, and neighbors, but if there are just too many, it’s a great idea to freeze them. They’re too delicious and healthy to go to waste.

Did you know that cherry tomatoes contain even higher concentrations of antioxidants than other tomato varieties? These include flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds – all of them are anti-inflammatory and can help protect our cells from oxidative damage that leads to diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. That’s a lot of good in a tiny fruit!

Every kitchen should have exactly what’s needed to freeze cherry tomatoes quickly and easily. All it takes is some basic equipment and minimal effort. This is the equipment you’ll need to freeze cherry tomatoes:

1. A Baking Tray

Use a large baking tray to flash-freeze your cherry tomatoes. You have to spread them out in a single layer in the freezer. You could also use a plastic serving tray or any other large, flat surface with sides. Remember, cherry tomatoes are round and will roll, so you can’t use a plastic cutting board. 

2. A Colander

A colander makes washing cherry tomatoes easier but is not essential. You can also soak them in any container, wash any dirt off, and rinse them well. 

3. Freezer-Friendly Bags

The best way to store frozen cherry tomatoes is in zip-top freezer-friendly bags. You could use any airtight container if you don’t have suitable bags.

This recipe has a single ingredient: cherry tomatoes! To ensure you pick the best cherry tomatoes, here are some tips on which ones are suitable for home freezing and how you can use them. 

Cherry Tomatoes

Only choose ripe, firm, unblemished cherry tomatoes for freezing. They should have a vibrant, healthy color and firm shape. Freezing could cause the cherry tomatoes to lose their shape, so it’s vital to start with high-quality tomatoes that are not wrinkly or discolored. If you come across some cherry tomatoes that are not perfect, rather use them for something else.

Before you freeze cherry tomatoes, remember that the texture will drastically change after they’ve been frozen and defrosted. You’ll no longer be able to use them raw, for example, in a salad.

The freezing will change the texture significantly because of the high water content. But don’t worry, there are so many delicious ways to use frozen cherry tomatoes! You can use them in sauces, stews, curries, dressings, or soups. 

Here are a few tips to change it up:

• You can freeze up to several pints of cherry tomatoes at once. You’ll just need enough baking sheets to arrange them in a single layer for freezing. 
• Frozen and defrosted cherry tomatoes won’t have the same shape and flavor as fresh cherry tomatoes. So, they are best used in cooked foods like soups and stews as opposed to salads.
• For best results, follow the recipe tips below. You can also use this method for grape tomatoes or other types of tomatoes including baby tomatoes.

Step One

Remove the stems from the cherry tomatoes by hand. Then, place them in a colander and give them a gentle rinse with cool running water.

No need to cut or slice the tomatoes unless they are larger tomatoes.

Step Two

Drain the tomatoes and lay them on a clean towel. Pat them dry with a paper towel and then transfer the whole cherry tomatoes to a baking sheet or cookie sheet.

Step Three

Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Then, transfer the cherry tomatoes to a zip-top bag for long-term freezing. Squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible.