Tinned tomatoes are a great staple to have in your home. They are cheap, versatile and make it easy to whip up healthy meals without complicated ingredients. Many people like to buy them in bulk and whilst they do have a long shelf life, once opened, they go off quickly…
Can You Freeze Tinned Tomatoes?
Yes, you can freeze tinned tomatoes for up to 6 months. You can freeze them in thick freezer bags or Tupperware containers but make sure they’re frozen in suitable portion sizes.
Do Do Tinned Tomatoes freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Tinned Tomatoes? No
How to Freeze Tinned Tomatoes
You can keep unopened tins of tomatoes for years in the kitchen cupboards, but as soon as the tins are opened, the tomatoes inside will start to perish.
You can store them briefly in the fridge, but freezing any leftover tinned tomatoes will help extend their shelf life considerably. Follow the steps below for the best way to freeze tinned tomatoes:
- Portion Individually
Divide your leftover tinned tomatoes into smaller or individual portions. Consider how much you use each time you cook and use this as your portion size. - Bag Up
Fill freezer safe bags or containers Ā¾ of the way full with your tinned tomatoes, being sure to leave some space near the top if you are using containers for expansion. - Label and Freeze
Label your bags or container and then place into the freezer for as long as needed.
3 Tips for Freezing Tinned Tomatoes
Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing tinned tomatoes to have the best results:
Do Not Freeze the Tins
Avoid keeping leftovers in the tins as the tomatoes may react with the metal. Also do not freeze the tins as the extreme temperature changes could cause the tins to split and make a mess of your freezer!
Portion Out
Instead of just writing ātinned tomatoesā on your freezer bags, portion out the tomatoes according to what you will be using them for and then use this as the label. You will then be able to find perfectly portioned tinned tomatoes for your favourite recipes.
Use Up Leftovers Quicker
You can also store leftover tinned tomatoes in the fridge for up to a week. Ensure you decant the tomatoes into a bowl and do not leave them in the tin, otherwise, they could take on a metallic taste if the acid of the tomatoes reacts with the metal of the tin.
How Long Can You Freeze Tinned Tomatoes?
Tinned tomatoes last up to 6 months in the freezer when stored correctly. Tomatoes do have a high water content so will expand as they freeze, so it is important to ensure you leave enough space in your bags or boxes when you freeze them.
You Can Freeze Tinned Tomatoes for up to 6 Months
How Do You Defrost Tinned Tomatoes?
You can actually use frozen tinned tomatoes straight out of the freezer. Simply add them to your favourite recipe as if you were using them fresh and the heat will help them defrost.
However, if you do want to thaw your tinned tomatoes before you use them, it is really simple to do:
Just take your bag or container of frozen tinned tomatoes out of the freezer and place it into your fridge. Leave to thaw overnight and then use in your desired recipe.
If you do not have this much time and need to defrost your tinned tomatoes more urgently, you can whack them in the microwave for a moment, checking regularly to ensure they do not turn to mush.
Can You Refreeze Tinned Tomatoes?
Ideally not. Given that tinned tomatoes have such a high water content, refreezing them could have an impact on the tomatoes’ taste and texture.
This is why freezing in smaller portions with meals in mind will help you prevent needing to refreeze and help lower food waste.
Do Tinned Tomatoes Freeze Well?
Yes, tinned tomatoes are a great food to freeze. They will keep for a good amount of time, they are simple to freeze and defrost and they are such a versatile food that they could be used for a wide range of easy dishes!
Freezing tinned tomatoes once they have been opened will help you reduce your food waste and also help you reduce the amount of time you spend cooking if you are tight on time.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing tinned tomatoes or tomatoes in general, then these may help:
Yes, you can freeze tinned tomatoes that are whole, chopped or diced. You can even freeze tinned tomatoes that have been flavoured with basil, garlic or oregano.
Yes, you can freeze passata. It is essentially sieved tinned tomatoes to create a smooth sauce. This can be frozen in the same way as tinned tomatoes.
