Do You Have to Store Tomatoes in the Fridge?
Key Points
- No — in fact, you should always store whole tomatoes at room temperature until they’re fully ripe
- At those chilly temperatures, the flavor-producing enzymes that are normally present as a tomato ripens stop working
- Try to bring them back to room temperature before serving
Overview
No — in fact, you should always store whole tomatoes at room temperature until they’re fully ripe. As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, storage conditions below 55° Fahrenheit (like you'll find in your fridge) damage the quality of tomatoes. At those chilly temperatures, the flavor-producing enzymes that are normally present as a tomato ripens stop working. And you wind up with a less tasty tomato. Once your tomatoes are fully ripe, you can extend their shelf life for two to three more days by placing them in the fridge. Try to bring them back to room temperature before serving. After you've cut into a whole tomato, you should refrigerate any leftovers right away. As noted here, they'll keep well for a few days in the fridge; you can also freeze them for later use in cooked dishes.Long-Lasting Produce Stock up and enjoy Your Questions Answered Steak that's changed color
Key Points
- No — in fact, you should always store whole tomatoes at room temperature until they’re fully ripe
- At those chilly temperatures, the flavor-producing enzymes that are normally present as a tomato ripens stop working
- Try to bring them back to room temperature before serving
Related Foods
This information applies to: beef, chicken, cranberry, eggs, ground beef, hamburger, pie, potatoes, salad, shrimp, steak, stuffing, turkey
Tags
cooking expiration freezing leftovers refrigeration safety storage thawing