Have you ever wondered how long do cherry tomatoes last? The simple answer is about a week or so at room temprature. If you are lucky enough to grow cherry tomatoes, leave them on the vine and bring them in. They will last longer. If you are like us, buying cherry tomatoes weekly at the grocery store you want to know how long they will last.
Only refrigerate if you need to, trust us!
While you may be tempted to put in the fridge when you bring them home from the grocery store, do not. Think about it, were they in the fridge at the store? No, so leave them out on your counter, in a cool area away from direct sunlight. A countertop or shelf in the kitchen that doesn’t get too warm is ideal. In fact, take them out of the package and put them on a plate, so they are in a single layer, to avoid bruising. Room temprature is key for the tastiest tomatoes. If you buy these once a week, and eat them up, you will be set. If you scored a ton of cherry tomatoes at the farmers market, read on, to see some ideas for short and long term storage.
When it is tomato season, we are all about growing, locating and eating vine ripe fresh tomatoes. However, when the tomato season ends, we don’t stop eating tomatoes. We just shift from regular tomatoes to Cherry Tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are small, delightful bursts of flavor that can elevate any dish they are added to. And knowing how to properly store them can make a significant difference in their freshness and taste. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best ways to extend the shelf life of cherry tomatoes, from peak ripeness to long-term storage, using various methods and ideal storage conditions.
Different Types of Cherry Tomatoes:
Shape and Size
- Cherry Tomatoes: These are typically round and resemble small cherries, hence the name. They can vary in size but are usually about the size of a cherry.
- Grape Tomatoes: These are more oval or oblong, similar to the shape of a grape. They tend to be slightly smaller than cherry tomatoes.
Taste and Texture
- Cherry Tomatoes: They are generally sweeter and juicier. The high water content gives them a burst of juice when bitten into. Their high water content makes them very juicy, which can make them messier to eat fresh but great for adding moisture to dishes.
- Grape Tomatoes: These have a thicker skin and a meatier texture. They are usually less sweet and have a more complex, sometimes tangier flavor. Due to their thicker skin and firmer flesh, they hold up better in cooking and storage. They are less likely to burst open when cooked.
Understanding the Ripening Process:
The ripening process of cherry tomatoes greatly affects their shelf life and flavor. For the best taste, allow tomatoes to ripen on the vine. Once fully ripe, they can be harvested and enjoyed immediately. Unripe tomatoes, on the other hand, can be left to ripen at room temperature. Keep them in a single layer away from direct sunlight to prevent them from getting too much heat and turning overripe too quickly.
Best Way to Store Fresh Cherry Tomatoes:
The best way to store fresh cherry tomatoes is to keep them at room temperature if you plan to consume them within a few days. Choose a cool place away from warmer temperatures, such as air conditioning vents or direct sunlight. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet or in an airtight container, leaving enough space to allow good air circulation. Avoid stacking them, as this can lead to bruising and spoilage.
Store Away from Ethylene-Producing Foods:
Keep cherry tomatoes away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas, as ethylene can accelerate the ripening process and lead to faster spoilage.
Storing for a Longer Period:
Yes, we know we said do not put cherry tomatoes in the fridge….unless you have to. If you have a surplus of cherry tomatoes and want to extend their shelf life, the refrigerator can be your best bet. While refrigeration might cause a slight loss in flavor compared to perfectly ripe tomatoes, if you store cherry tomatoes in the fridge, the cold temperature will keep them fresh longer. So only use this plan if you have an abondance of tomatoes that are overly ripe, and you can not get to using them up till the weekend. To prevent excess moisture from ruining the texture of the tomatoes, place the ripe cherry tomatoes in a paper towel-lined container or a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge. This setup will allow the tomatoes to breathe without accumulating too much moisture.
Oven Roasting and Freezing for Future Use:
A great way to preserve cherry tomatoes for an even longer period, consider roasting and freezing them. This is our FAVORITE way of using ripe cherry tomatoes! If you get your hands on large quantities of over-ripe tomatoes, this is a surefire way to preserve the flavor to use at a later date! If you love sun-dried tomatoes, you are going to LOVE oven roasted tomatoes! Simply place tomatoes on a rimmed cookie sheet, drizzle with a small amount of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt, and roast at 275F for 2 hours, checking half way. We add a few cloves of garlic and drizzle a little balsamic on them for the last 30 minutes. Allow to cool, and store in freezer bags. You can add a little more olive oil to the bag. The extra time it takes to roast these is definately worth the intense flavor these tomatoes add to sauces, pizza, and pasta. We like to store them in an air-tight container in the fridge, covered with a little olive oil.
Different Types of Cherry Tomatoes:
Cherry tomatoes come in various types, such as grape tomatoes and long cherry tomatoes. While they all have unique characteristics, their storage needs are generally the same. Pay attention to their size and adjust storage containers accordingly. Grape tomatoes are smaller, so ensure they are adequately spread out to prevent bruising, while long cherry tomatoes may require slightly larger containers.
The Importance of Handling and Storage Conditions:
When handling tomatoes, it’s essential to be gentle and avoid squeezing them, as they can easily bruise and develop dark spots. The stem scar is the most delicate part, and it’s best to handle them by their sides or bottoms. Always inspect your tomatoes for signs of mold or overripe spots before storage.
Avoiding Bad Tomatoes:
One bad tomato can spoil the whole bunch. These little gems are packaged in containers that you can see the product. Do a quick check of them when you are shopping. If you see any that are spoiled, put them back. When you get home, open them and check again for any that may seem to be spoiling. Just toss those bad tomatoes out, and make sure the rest do not have any spoiled tomato juice on them. Simply rinse them off and dry them with a paper towl.
The shelf life can vary depending on their ripeness, storage conditions, and handling. For the best flavor and freshness, keep them at room temperature in a cool, dark place. If you have excess tomatoes, refrigeration or freezing can extend their shelf life, allowing you to enjoy them later. Remember to handle them gently and avoid stacking to prevent bruising. By following these tips, you can savor the sweet flavor of cherry tomatoes in various dishes throughout the year.
Recipes featuring Cherry Tomatoes
Appetizers
Best Guacamole Recipe – The Perks of Being Us
Whipped Feta With Blistered Tomatoes – Simple & Fresh
Fermented Salsa: The Best Salsa you’ll ever eat! – Living Simply
Soup & Salad Recipes
Lettuce Salad with Shrimp (Greek Style) – The Perks of Being Us
Caprese Pasta Salad with Basil Pesto – Chew Out Loud
Corn Tomato Avocado Salad – Panning the Globe
Pasta Recipes
Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta – Yellow Bliss Road
Zucchini Pasta w/ Yogurt Herb Sauce – In Fine Taste
Chicken Recipes
Italian Chicken Cutlets & Caprese Grilled Chicken-The Perks of Being Us
Seafood & Vegetarian Recipes
Side Dish Recipes
Brunch Recipes
Spinach Frittata with Bacon and Tomatoes
Tomato and Caramelized Onion Tart
Ingredients
- Appetizer Recipes
- Soup & Salad Recipes
- Chicken Recipes
- Pasta Recipes
- Seafood Recipes
- Vegetarian Recipes
- Side Dish Recipes
- Brunch Recipes
great tips, thanks for sharing! I love cherry tomatoes, especially from the garden
Rebecca,
Garden tomatoes are so tasty!
Dina and Bruce
Thank you for answering the question, as well as lots of tomato tips.
Biana,
You are welcome! We love cherry tomatoes!
Dina and Bruce
Great post! This is one of my 4 y/o’s favorite snacks and pretty much the only veg he will happily eat so we always have these on hand, haha.
Dana,
Ha! Love that your 4 year old loves cherry tomatoes!
Dina and Bruce
Very informative and useful post! Tomatoes are a staple at pretty much any home so this information is so handy.
Ava,
Thank you! We are big time tomato fans and eat them year round!
Dina and Bruce
This was such a helpful guide! We buy cherry tomatoes all the time so I’ll be coming back to this post as a reference regularly!
Anjali,
They are a staple at our home! Thank you!
Bruce and Dina
So many great tips & recipes! 🍅 We can’t wait for our tomatoes to ripen even more now!!
Elaine and James,
We would love to have something made with your home grown tomates!!
Dina and Bruce
Hi!
I bought 4 packs of “flavor bomb cherry tomatoes” in the hopes of making a sauce. Unfortunately, I never got around to it so the tomatoes have been stored in a recyclable bag on my counter for a month!
Out of curiosity I researched online, “how long cherry tomatoes last on counter” and everywhere I’m reading says cherry tomatoes are only good for about a couple days to a week on counter..
I inspected my tomatoes and they are still firm and show no sign of mold. Are they still good to eat???
Kim,
Rule of thumb is just a few weeks. If these were from your garden, and you knew how long they had been sitting after being picked, that would be one thing, but since you do not know the date of when they were picked, I do not know that I would want to eath them past a few weeks.