It might seem logical to store tomatoes in the fridge, but doing so makes them become “mushy and mealy” prematurely.
Why Not the Fridge?
Nothing beats ripe summer tomatoes for a burger or salad, yet many people don’t know how to store them properly.
Putting tomatoes in the fridge when you get home might seem like a good idea, but it’s actually one of the worst places to keep them.
Madeline Buiano, a cooking expert from Martha Stewart’s website, explains that refrigerating fresh tomatoes affects their flavor and can damage them.
She says, “The rule is to keep tomatoes out of the refrigerator. It’s about science. Tomatoes have an enzyme that reacts to cold, causing cell membranes to break down, making them mushy and mealy.”
Best Storage Practices
The fridge alters the texture of tomatoes and they also absorb odors from other foods, affecting their taste.
The best spot for unripe tomatoes is a dry area in your kitchen with good air circulation to prevent mold, but away from sunlight to avoid quick ripening.
Madeline advises, “Eat tomatoes at peak ripeness right away. Warmer kitchen temperatures help ripening tomatoes, unlike the cooler fridge temperatures.”
Store tomatoes on a flat surface like a plate, as containers can bruise them, causing quicker spoilage.
Place tomatoes stem-side down to prevent moisture and bacteria from entering the stem scar, which helps avoid mold.
Keeping Tomatoes Fresher Longer
If your tomatoes are ripe and you won’t use them soon, you can refrigerate them.
Cold temperatures stop the ripening process, so unripe tomatoes in the fridge won’t develop fully, impacting their flavor. However, ripe tomatoes are less affected by refrigeration.
Madeline notes, “If your tomatoes are about to become overripe, refrigerate them for a few days to stop further ripening.”
Before using, leave ripe tomatoes at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to bring back their flavor.
Cut tomatoes should be refrigerated to prevent drying out. Storing fresh tomatoes on the counter first, then transferring to the fridge, keeps them juicy and flavorful, extending their freshness by five to seven days.