Can You Freeze Tomato Paste?

3 minutes

With such a concentrated flavour, you only need a small dollop of tomato paste. So, what do you do with the rest now that you’ve opened it?

How to Freeze Tomato Paste

Freezing tomato paste is a great way to extend the life of this flavour-packed, oconcetrated ingredient. Here’s how I do it:

1. Portion
   Spoon the tomato paste into an ice cube tray, filling each slot. Each cube will equal about one tablespoon in a generic ice cube tray – super handy for future recipes!
2. Freeze
   Stick the ice cube tray in the freezer and give it time. You want the tomato paste to be frozen fully, which should take around 2 to 3 hours.
3. Pop Out
   Once the paste is frozen solid, pop the cubes out of the tray. A quick twist of the tray should do the trick to loosen them all. You can also line the tray with cling film before filling them.
4. Store
   Transfer the frozen tomato paste cubes into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. If using a bag, seal it up and push out as much of the air as possible.
5. Label
   Date it and note what’s inside to make it easier to manage the contents of your freezer.

And there you have it! Tomato paste, frozen and ready to use at your convenience.

How Long Can You Freeze Tomato Paste?

Tomato paste can be safely frozen for up to 6 months.

When you freeze tomato paste, you slow down the process of spoilage by halting the growth of bacteria. Due to its low moisture content and high acidity, tomato paste holds up remarkably well to freezing.

After the 6-month window, the tomato paste won’t suddenly become unsafe to eat, but its quality may deteriorate. It might lose some of its vibrant colour, and the flavour could degrade.

You might even see some textural changes if the paste is stored in the freezer for too long.

So while you can freeze tomato paste for over 6 months, you’ll want to use it before this to maintain its flavour. Let’s face it, we all use tomato paste for that punchy flavour.

How Do You Defrost Tomato Paste?

When it comes to defrosting tomato paste, there are two options you’ll want to stick to using generally:

In the Fridge

One way to defrost your frozen tomato paste is in the fridge. Take out the number of cubes you need and let them thaw in a dish in the refrigerator overnight.

When you come to cook dinner the following evening, it’ll be ready for you to use as usual. You may find it a little watery. Just drain off this excess water.

From Frozen

Tomato paste is one of those great ingredients that you can often use straight from the freezer, especially in soups, stews, and sauces.

Drop the frozen cube into your dish as it’s cooking and let it melt into the mix, adding that deep tomato flavour we all love.

Can You Refreeze Tomato Paste?

Tomato paste, like most foods, can technically be refrozen after it’s been thawed. However, it’s not the best thing to do.

Each time you freeze and thaw food, you alter its texture and flavour. While tomato paste is less vulnerable to these changes, you risk degrading its quality with multiple freeze-thaw cycles.

Ultimately, you use tomato paste for its flavour, so there’s no point storing it if it eventually loses that essential flavour, is there?

Does Tomato Paste Freeze Well?

Absolutely, tomato paste freezes really well!

Due to its low moisture content and high acidity, it retains its colour, texture, and, most importantly, its concentrated flavour during freezing.

So, you can count on your frozen tomato paste to deliver that punchy, tomatoey goodness to your dishes, even after spending some time in the freezer. Just remember to use it within 6 months for the best quality.