Freezing Summer Tomatoes and Homemade Tomato Sauce

This tutorial on how to go about Freezing Summer Tomatoes and make Homemade Tomato Sauce, will give you the skinny on preserving the summer bounty.  (Scroll down to see instructions and a printable recipe card for each recipe.)

Freezing Summer Tomatoes and Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe

At the end of the season, when Summer vegetables come in with a vengeance, you've pretty much exhausted all uses for them. Never ever, let such treasures go to waste, it's time to freeze or can them for the Winter. The canning process can be intimidating to some however, freezing is simple and something anyone can do. (Explore how to can tomatoes on Food Network)

• Many people freeze tomatoes successfully after a thorough cleaning without the extra step of blanching.
• The general recommendation is to blanch tomatoes prior to freezing for the best results. I'm going to share how to blanch tomatoes first before freezing and how to make fresh tomato sauce for freezing.
• Remember, always label the exterior of the bag with the contents and the amount.

Round # 1: Freezing Summer Tomatoes Recipe

The purpose of blanching fresh tomatoes prior to freezing is to help preserve the color and nutrients, improve texture and lengthen the shelf life of the tomatoes.  It is not to cook the tomatoes. Frozen tomatoes are terrific for use in cooked foods such as soups, chili or sauces but won't be suitable after thawing for use in salads or sandwiches.   It's a real treat to reach for a container of homegrown tomatoes to make a pot of soup on a cold day. and worth the small amount of effort it takes to prepare them for freezing.  They're a bite of sunshine on a cloudy day.

 For the tomatoes you'll need:

• Firm ripe tomatoes, any amount
• 8 quarts water
• Plastic freezer safe storage bags or
• Plastic freezer safe containers

Directions for tomatoes:
Choose ripe, firm tomatoes, your favorite variety.  Clean thoroughly and leave whole.  Bring 8 quarts of water to a rolling boil,  then carefully lower whole tomatoes into the boiling water.

Leave for 30-45 seconds.  Remove and immediately immerse in cold ice water.  Remove the peel and core.  [tip: An apple corer works great for this task

Quarter, or chop as desired.  Package in freezer bags or freezer safe containers leaving 1 inch of head space. [Tip: If using a bag, press all of the air out of the bag]  Label the exterior of the bag or container with the amount and contents.  Freeze immediately.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

Freezing Summer Tomatoes

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: freezing-fresh-tomatoes, how-to-freeze-tomatoes, preserving-fresh-tomatoes

Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

• Firm ripe tomatoes any amount
• 8 quarts water
• plastic freezer safe storage bags or
• plastic freezer safe containers

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Choose ripe, firm tomatoes, your favorite variety. Clean thoroughly and leave whole.
• Bring 8 quarts of water to a rolling boil, then carefully lower whole tomatoes into the boiling water.
• Leave for 30-45 seconds. Remove and immediately immerse in cold ice water.
• Remove the peel and core. [Tip: An apple corer works great for this task.] Quarter, or chop as desired.
• Package in freezer bags or freezer safe containers leaving 1 inch of head space. [Tip: If using a bag, press all of the air out of the bag]
• Label the exterior of the bag or container with the amount and contents.
• Freeze immediately.

Notes

When preparing vegetables or fruits to freeze, be certain you start with clean hands, utensils and containers.

Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

Round #2:  Preparing Homemade Tomato Sauce for Freezing

For tomato sauce you'll need:

• Firm ripe tomatoes, any amount
• Salt [1 tsp per 4 cups chopped raw tomatoes]
• Sugar [1 teaspoon per 4 cups chopped raw tomatoes]
• Tomato paste [1 tablespoon per 4 cups chopped raw tomatoes]
• Plastic freezer safe storage bags or
• Plastic freezer safe containers

Directions for tomato sauce:
Choose ripe firm tomatoes, your favorite variety or a mixture of varieties.  Core, halve, or quarter the tomatoes removing seeds, if desired.  Attempt to keep the tomato pieces similar in size so, they'll cook evenly.  Place into a heavy bottomed saucepan.  Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of sugar per 4 cups of raw, chopped tomatoes.

Bring to a boil, then lower the temperature and simmer covered for 15 minutes.  Uncover and continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and intensify in flavor.   Remove from the heat and thicken with 1 tablespoon of tomato paste per 4 cups of raw, chopped tomatoes cooked.

To puree: [3 ways - depending on the equipment you have handy]
1.  Push through a sieve removing seeds and skins but, keeping the tomato pulp.
2.  Use an immersion blender and process to your desired texture.  [ie chunky smooth or silky smooth]
3.  Ladle into a stand blender and puree in batches until the texture is to your liking. [Tip: Leave ample space at the top of the blender to allow for expansion]

Please note:

• When I prepare this sauce, I use everything. This includes any seeds, pulp and skin. A very few seeds may be left behind, however, most will puree along with the tomato pulp for a lovely smooth texture. If you prefer seedless, strain. Cool completely.
• Measure into desired amounts, and pour into freezer bags or plastic freezer safe containers leaving 1 inch of head space.  [Tip: If using a bag, press all of the air out of the bag.]
• Label the exterior of the bag or container with the amount and contents.  Freeze immediately.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

Homemade Tomato Sauce

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade-tomato-sauce, tomato-sauce-recipes

Ingredients

• Firm ripe tomatoes, any amount.
• 1 teaspoon salt per 4 cups chopped raw tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sugar per 4 cups chopped raw tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste per 4 cups chopped raw tomatoes
• Plastic freezer safe storage bags or Plastic freezer safe containers

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Choose ripe firm tomatoes, your favorite variety or a mixture of varieties.  Core, halve, or quarter the tomatoes removing seeds, if desired.  Attempt to keep the tomato pieces similar in size so, they'll cook evenly. 
• Place into a heavy bottomed saucepan.  Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of sugar per 4 cups of raw, chopped tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then lower the temperature and simmer covered for 15 minutes.
• Uncover and continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and intensify in flavor. 
• Remove from the heat and thicken with 1 tablespoon of tomato paste per 4 cups of raw, chopped tomatoes cooked
• To puree: [3 ways - depending on the equipment you have handy]

  1. Push through a sieve removing seeds and skins but, keeping the tomato pulp.

  2.  Use an immersion blender and process to your desired texture.   [ie chunky smooth or silky smooth]

  3.  Ladle into a stand blender and puree in batches until the texture is to your liking. [Tip: Leave ample space at the top of the blender to allow for expansion]
• Please note: When I prepare this sauce, I use everything. This includes any seeds, pulp and skin. A very few seeds may be left behind, however, most will puree along with the tomato pulp for a lovely smooth texture. If you prefer seedless, then strain.
• Cool sauce completely. Measure into desired amounts, and pour into freezer bags or plastic freezer safe containers leaving 1 inch of head space. [Tip: If using a bag, press all of the air out of the bag.] 
• Label the exterior of the bag or container with the amount and contents. 
• Freeze immediately.

Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

More Summer Side Dishes to Make

• Crispy Southern Style Fried Squash.
• Twice Baked Potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal.
• Serve this Easy Corn Salsa as a condiment for salads, tacos or with tortilla chips for dipping.
• Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a delicious option for using fresh zucchini.
• Lima Beans are seasoned with bacon for optimum flavor.
• Stewed Okra and Tomatoes are packed with flavor.
• Honey Roasted Carrots make a delicious and easy side dish for weekday meals an the holidays.
• How to Can Tomatoes from Food Network.