Chances are, if you’ve got green tomatoes, you’ve harvested them yourself. They’re not easy to come by in the shops. So, if you’ve got a glut of green tomatoes, do you know how to store them?
Can You Freeze Green Tomatoes?
Yes, you can freeze green tomatoes for up to 12 months. Prepare them, then freeze on a baking sheet in a single layer. Once solid, bag them up and return them to the freezer.
Do Do Green Tomatoes freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Green Tomatoes? No
How to Freeze Green Tomatoes
Got a handful (or more) of green tomatoes that you want to store in the freezer? No problem! Here’s the step-by-step method I use for freezing green tomatoes:
- Wash
Give your green tomatoes a good rinse under cold water. Remove any stems or leaves. - Slice
Cut your tomatoes into quarter-inch slices. This size works well for most recipes and allows the tomatoes to freeze evenly. - Arrange
Place the sliced tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Keep the slices from touching so they don’t freeze together. - Freeze
Pop the baking sheet into your freezer. You want the tomato slices to freeze until solid, which should take around 3 hours. - Pack
Once the slices are frozen solid, transfer them to freezer-safe bags or airtight containers. You can now stack the frozen slices without worrying about them sticking together.
Add Flour
If you’re a fan of fried green tomatoes, try dusting your tomato slices with flour before freezing them. This can help the breading stick better when you’re ready to fry them up!
How Long Can You Freeze Green Tomatoes?
Green tomatoes can be frozen and maintain good quality for up to 12 months.
Freezing green tomatoes slows the ripening process and extends their shelf life by preventing the growth of bacteria that cause spoilage.
After 12 months, green tomatoes won’t suddenly become unsafe to eat, but they may lose some quality. The texture might become softer, and the flavour may diminish.
It’s always best to use frozen green tomatoes within a year to enjoy them at their best.
Green tomatoes can last up to 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge if stored properly. Keep them in a perforated or open paper bag in the vegetable drawer for maximum freshness.
How Do You Defrost Green Tomatoes?
When it comes to defrosting green tomatoes, there are a few approaches you can take:
In the Fridge
If you’ve got a bit of time, the best way to thaw green tomatoes is in the fridge.
This method ensures that the tomatoes defrost evenly and maintain their texture as much as possible. Just take out the amount you need, put them in a bowl (to catch any drips), and let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
In Cold Water
If you’re in a hurry, you can also defrost your green tomatoes in a bowl of cold water. Be sure to keep them in their freezer bag and check on them every 30 minutes until they’re thawed.
When using this method, do not be tempted to use warm or hot water. All you’ll do is thaw the outside quickly before the centre has had a chance to defrost.
From Frozen
Depending on your recipe, you might not need to defrost your green tomatoes! For things like stews, soups, or casseroles, you can usually just toss the frozen slices straight in.
Remember, the texture of the tomatoes will be softer once they’ve been frozen and defrosted, so they’re best used in cooked dishes. Enjoy!
Yes, you can defrost green tomatoes in the microwave using its defrost function, but it may result in softer, slightly mushier tomatoes. For best texture, it’s recommended to defrost them in the fridge or use them directly from frozen in cooking.
Can You Refreeze Green Tomatoes?
While refreezing green tomatoes after thawing is possible, you should ask yourself, “should you?” This is because every time food goes through a freeze-thaw cycle, it impacts its texture, flavour, and overall quality.
Green tomatoes have a firm texture that helps them hold up well in certain types of cooking. When frozen and thawed, they naturally become a bit softer due to the breakdown of their cell structures. This will only become worse with repeated freezing.
To avoid any potential texture and flavour degradation, it’s a good idea to only defrost as many green tomatoes as you plan to use.
Do Green Tomatoes Freeze Well?
Yes, green tomatoes freeze surprisingly well!
While freezing might make them a bit softer, they retain much of their unique tangy flavour. This makes them perfect for adding to cooked dishes, like soups, stews, or sauces, even after they’ve spent some time in the freezer.
So don’t hesitate to freeze those green tomatoes – they’ll provide a delightful taste of summer, even in the colder months!
Blanch Beforehand
To retain their shape better, consider blanching your green tomatoes before freezing. Dunk them in boiling water for about a minute, then plunge them into ice water to stop cooking. Pat dry, then slice and freeze.
Sources
We have verified the information on this page using the following resources:
