Can You Vacuum Seal Tomatoes?

Tomatoes can be one of the toughest vegetables to keep fresh long-term. This is why many people can their tomatoes to preserve them after the growing season is over.

But what if you don’t want to have to take the time to can your tomatoes or you don’t have the right canning tools?

You can vacuum seal tomatoes if you prep them the right way. Vacuum-sealing tomatoes is a fantastic way to preserve their freshness and extend their shelf life.

You will need a vacuum sealer for this process but other than this tool and the tomatoes you want to preserve, you don’t need anything else!

If you are ready to learn more about vacuum sealing tomatoes, you need to read on!

Benefits of Vacuum Sealing Tomatoes

Before we dive into the process, let’s talk about why vacuum sealing tomatoes is a game-changer:

1. Extended Shelf Life:
   • Vacuum sealing keeps those tomatoes fresher for a longer time.
   • Say goodbye to the sad sight of wilted tomatoes in the fridge!
2. Preservation of Flavor and Nutrients:
   • Lock in the deliciousness and nutritional goodness.
   • Enjoy that just-picked taste even when tomatoes are out of season.
3. Prevention of Freezer Burn:
   • No more icy, freezer-burnt tomatoes.
   • Vacuum sealing creates a protective barrier, ensuring your tomatoes emerge from the freezer unscathed.

Preparation for Vacuum Sealing Tomatoes

The preparation step is the most important part of the vacuum sealing process when working with tomatoes. You will need to make sure that you take the time to do this part of the process or your result will not be any good.

This is how you prevent your tomatoes from spoiling while they are in the vacuum-sealed bag.

Here are the steps for preparing your tomatoes to be vacuum sealed:

1. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly. Make sure there is no dirt, pests, or anything else that can be caught up in the packaging with the tomatoes. This is critical as far as preventing spoiling while your tomatoes are in storage.

2. Peel the tomatoes and then cut them into smaller pieces. This is the best way to preserve your tomatoes, no matter what kind they are.

3. Cut the tomatoes down to any size that you want for future use. This can save you a lot of time later as well which is nice.

4. Place the tomatoes on parchment paper that is laid on top of a freezer-safe tray.

5. Make sure that the tomatoes are in a single layer and that they are not touching.

6. Freeze the tomatoes until ice crystals are coating the surface completely.

How to Vacuum Seal the Tomatoes?

You are now ready to move on to vacuum sealing! There are various machines that you might own for this process, so make sure that you are familiar with the processes that should be used for your unique machine before you start the sealing process.

There are usually unique processes that need to be followed for sealing tomatoes.

Step-1: Prepare the Sealing Bag

Make sure that the sealing bag is clean and does not have any imperfections. You will want to be sure that there are no contaminants in or on the bag that you are using for the sealing process.

Step-2: Ensure Dry Tomatoes

Make sure that the tomatoes are dry and that any moisture that was used to clean the bag has been removed. You will usually want to keep the tomatoes in the freezer until right before you are ready to seal them up.

Step-3: Prevent Tomatoes from Touching the Bag

Make sure that the tomatoes are not touching the bag. Vacuum seal the bag carefully and make sure that the bag has been sealed before you move on to your next one.

Step-4: Leave Space at the Top

Make sure to leave an inch at the top to help the bag retain its shape and have some flex when stored. You will want to leave even more space at the top of the bag if you are thinking that you will reseal the bag again after you use some of the tomatoes.

Tips For Vacuum Sealing Tomatoes

Here are some tips for vacuum sealing tomatoes you should keep in mind to get the optimum result.

Flat Surface for Sealing:

It can be easier to seal this kind of food if you place the bag that you are sealing flat on a stable surface. You will want to be sure that you are not leaving any air in the bag and it is also easier to keep the food separated when the bag is laid flat.

Automatic Vacuum Sealers:

Automatic vacuum sealers work best for this food type. They will remove all the air and then turn it off when the bag is fully emptied of air and sealed. This is often much more effective than other styles of vacuum sealer.

Date Labeling:

Write the date that you sealed the bag on the outside in a permanent marker. You might also want to put the last day that the tomatoes are good for before they should be thrown out.

Storage Duration:

You will get a maximum of 6 months to a year out of each bag of stored tomatoes. Be sure that you do not eat any tomatoes that appear to have gone bad even if it has only been a few months.

Unpredictability of Sealing:

Sealing fruits and veggies is not as predictable of a process as sealing other food types.

Size Variation for Recipes:

Consider cutting your tomatoes into various sizes depending on the recipes that you think you will use them for. You might not want all of your stored tomatoes to be cut to the same size.

Separate Tomato Varieties:

Sometimes it can be nice to have stew tomatoes or taco topping tomatoes saved separately in your freezer.

How Long Will Vacuum Sealed Tomatoes Last?

Vacuum-sealed tomatoes can last for varying durations depending on the storage method. Here’s a breakdown:

Can I Vacuum Seal Green Tomatoes?

Yes, you can vacuum seal green tomatoes. Vacuum sealing green tomatoes can help preserve their freshness, and you can use them in recipes or allow them to ripen over time.

The vacuum-sealed bags provide an airtight environment, protecting the green tomatoes from spoilage and maintaining their quality.

Can I Vacuum Seal Diced Tomatoes?

Yes, you can vacuum seal diced tomatoes. The process is similar to vacuum sealing whole tomatoes.

Vacuum sealing diced tomatoes can help preserve their freshness, flavor, and nutritional value. It’s a convenient way to have diced tomatoes ready for use in various recipes.

Can I Vacuum Seal Tomatoes in a Jar?

Yes, you can vacuum seal tomatoes in a jar using a vacuum sealer with jar attachment accessories.

The process involves placing tomatoes in a canning jar, attaching a vacuum sealer hose to the jar lid, and using the vacuum sealer to remove the air from the jar, creating a vacuum seal.

This method is suitable for dry or semi-dry food items but might not be as effective for preserving the texture of fresh tomatoes compared to vacuum sealing in bags.

Thawing and Using Vacuum-Sealed Tomatoes

When it’s time to unleash those flavor-packed tomatoes, here’s how to do it right:

Thawing Techniques:

• Let them thaw naturally at room temperature for optimal texture.
• Slow thawing in the fridge is also a great option.

Cooking with Vacuum-Sealed Tomatoes:

• Incorporate them into sauces, stews, or whatever culinary creation strikes your fancy.
• Enjoy the burst of freshness in every bite.

Maintaining Flavor and Texture:

• Vacuum sealing preserves both flavor and texture.
• Your tomatoes will taste like they were just plucked from the garden.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned kitchen warriors make mistakes. Here are a few to steer clear of:

1. Incorrect Bag Selection:
   • Choose bags specifically designed for vacuum sealing.
   • Regular plastic bags won’t do the trick.
2. Inadequate Sealing:
   • Double-check that seal to ensure it’s airtight.
   • A weak seal can lead to premature spoilage.
3. Overlooking Moisture Levels:
   • Dry those tomatoes thoroughly before sealing.
   • Excess moisture can compromise the sealing process.

Vacuum Sealing Tomatoes is Easy

If you use this guide, you will be able to save tomatoes for many months. This is much easier than canning and you will find that your tomatoes will taste fresh and delicious when you open them up to enjoy them.

Vacuum sealing fruits and vegetables requires that you follow some different processes than vacuum sealing other foods. You will also want to check the instructions that came with your vacuum sealer to be sure that you are on track for this process.

Vacuum sealing is a great way to make sure that your food can be stored for many months and to prevent waste. Canning is a great way to preserve foods but it’s time-intensive and takes some skill.

Vacuum sealing is accessible for many people and you will find that you can complete this process with ease even for fruits and vegetables.

Brianna York

I am Brianna, a self-published author with a passion for sharing my knowledge and expertise on various topics with people looking to find the perfect items for their needs. I love ensuring that the right informative content is available to people looking for the right information. I am an avid horseback rider and reader when I am not writing.

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