Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Tomato Paste?
Yes, you can freeze tomato paste, and it can last well for two to three months. You can freeze them as scoops or in ice-cube trays. All you’ll need is a Ziploc bag or a freezer-safe air-tight container to seal them in.
Whether you want to freeze in bulk or want to prolong the shelf-life of some homemade batch, this is the most comprehensive guide on how to freeze and store tomato paste.
These worked great for me!
So, let’s jump right into the first one.
Can You Freeze Scoops of Tomato Paste?
This is the most recommended method to freeze tomato paste. It is a hassle-free way to store homemade or store-bought tomato paste.
Materials
- Tomato Paste
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
- Ziploc Bag or Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container
Tools
- No special tools needed
Instructions
- Scoop onto Tray - Using a tablespoon, scoop tomato paste blobs onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Make sure that the individual scoops are not touching each other.
You could also use any tray or plate that will fit in your freezer instead of a baking sheet. - Flash Freeze - Leave the tray in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let the paste freeze solid.
- Pack and Seal - Transfer the frozen scoops of tomato paste into a Ziploc bag or a freezer-safe container and then seal them.
- Label and Freeze - Add a label with the date on the container, and you are all set to freeze the tomato paste.
Freezing Tomato Paste in Ice Cube Trays
Time Taken: 10 – 15 minutes
What You Need:
- Tomato Paste
- Ice Cube Trays
- Cling Wrap
- Ziploc Bags or Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container
Freezing Tomato Paste in Ice Cube Trays
If you have ice cube trays, this is a quick and easy method to freeze tomato paste.
Fill the Tray
Fill the ice cube tray with tomato paste.
Then using a cling wrap, cover the ice cube tray completely.
Flash Freeze
Leave the ice cube tray in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let the tomato paste freeze solid.
Pack and Seal
Transfer the frozen cubes of tomato paste into a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe air-tight container and then seal them.
Label and Freeze
Add a label on the container with the date and then leave it in the freezer till you need it next.
Freezing Large Quantities of Tomato Paste
Time Taken: 5 – 10 minutes
What You Need:
- Tomato Paste
- Cling Wrap
- Ziploc Bag or Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container
If you are looking to use more than a few scoops of tomato paste in a recipe and want to freeze a big batch to be used in one go, then you could try this method.
Spoon into Container
Spoon the tomato paste into the Ziploc bag or freezer-safe air-tight container.
If you are using a freezer-safe container, line it with cling wrap so that there are no freezer burns and stop the paste from sticking to the bottom.
Also, make sure to leave some room at the top to accommodate expansion.
Seal, Label, and Freeze
Seal the bag or container, making sure to remove as much excess air as you can.
On the Ziploc bag or the container, add a label with the date, and you are ready to freeze them.
How Long Can You Freeze Tomato Paste?
You can freeze tomato paste for two to three months.
In some cases, the tomato paste can also last for up to five months, but it is best to use it up sooner rather than later.
The reason why it is best to use up the tomato paste soon is that the longer it stays in the freezer the more it loses its flavor.
To get the best results, make sure that the container is air-tight and that the tomato paste is not too close to the expiry date before freezing.
How to Store Frozen Tomato Paste?
You can store frozen tomato paste in Ziploc bags or any freezer-safe air-tight container.
But the two Ziploc bags are your best bet.
If you have huge batches to freeze, then use Ziploc bags.
You can fill them and lay them down flat to save space in the freezer.
But if you have a small amount to freeze and want to store a few scoops of tomato paste, you could use an air-tight container as well.
When using a container, make sure to leave some space at the top to accommodate expansion once frozen.
How to Defrost Tomato Paste?
You could stick the required portion into the refrigerator and let it thaw gradually for a couple of hours or overnight to defrost tomato paste.
But you could also directly add the frozen scoops or cubes of tomato paste into your recipes without thawing if you are cooking with them.
Especially in the case of soups and chili recipes, they melt right into the dish without taking any extra cook time.
Can You Refreeze Tomato Paste?
No, it is best advised not to refreeze tomato paste.
Repeated freezing can affect the taste and texture of the paste.
This is why it is best to store the tomato paste in scoops or cubes, which are manageable portions that we can consume in one go.
Once it thaws it is best to use it within a day or two.
Does Tomato Paste Freeze Well?
Yes, tomato paste freezes well and is a great way to extend its shelf-life.
It can last well in the freezer for two to three months easily.
Both homemade and store-bought tomato paste can freeze well and for best results, freeze them as soon as you make or buy them.
But keep in mind that if the tomato paste was closer to expiry date when you were freezing it then there is a high chance that it can spoil in the freezer as well.
FAQs
No, it is best advised not to freeze the tomato paste in the cans they sell. They can rupture in the freezer, and the tomato paste can spill out.
Moreover, without portioning, the left-over paste will go to waste once it thaws.
No, it is better not to freeze tomato paste bought in tubes. This packaging might not be freezer-friendly.
It could rupture when the tomato paste expands upon freezing and the lack of portioning means you’ll have to consume the whole thing once it thaws.
Bottom Line
I hope this article has helped you with freezing and storing tomato paste.
If you have any queries or would like to share some tips and tricks of your own, it would be great to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with all your family and friends who could use a hand in the kitchen.