Best storage conditions

Store ripe or nearly ripe tomatoes around 55 to 70 F if possible. They prefer moderate humidity, roughly 85 to 90 percent, but normal room conditions work for short storage. Do not refrigerate whole tomatoes unless they are fully ripe and you need to slow further softening. Once cut, refrigerate promptly.

How long it keeps

At room temperature, ripe tomatoes usually keep about 3 to 7 days. Mature green tomatoes can often last 1 to 3 weeks while finishing ripening, depending on temperature and variety.

Storage methods

For best quality, keep tomatoes in a single layer out of direct sun. Mature green fruit can be held in a cool room to ripen gradually. Refrigeration is a short term option for fully ripe fruit, but it can dull flavor and soften texture. Do not cure tomatoes, and do not stack them deeply where bruising is likely.

Freezing & preserving

Tomatoes freeze well for sauce, soup, and cooked dishes, and they can also be dried. For canning, use tested USDA or NCHFP recipes because tomatoes need the right acidification and processing method for safety.

Tips

Check tomatoes daily and remove any fruit with cracks, leaks, or soft spots. Store them away from leafy greens and other produce you want to keep from ripening too quickly.

General home-storage guidance. For home canning and preserving safety, follow USDA and National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) guidelines. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.