How Long Do Cherry Tomatoes Last? (And How to Store Them)

Have you ever been in that position when you open your refrigerator just to find your cherry tomatoes completely gone off and inedible? Well, there are ways to work around this.

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Here, we will be talking through how to properly store your cherry tomatoes as well as answering the question of how long they last.

The Correct Way to Store Cherry Tomatoes

When it comes to storage, it is important to make sure you are doing so correctly. Depending on what you are storing (fruit, vegetables), the way it is done is variable.

It can be recommended to store some things in the refrigerator and others at room temperature. If this is done incorrectly, however, this will only lead to spoilage.

Cherry tomatoes are no different to your regular tomatoes, just smaller and carrying a slightly different taste. Because of this, you can apply the way you store them to both kinds.

To store, keep your tomatoes out in a room temperature environment.

By doing this you are allowing them to ripen before then transferring to the refrigerator. In order to guarantee a prolonged life, place your tomatoes in a sealed plastic bag when putting in the refrigerator.

How Long Do They Last?

On The Counter (Room Temperature)

When leaving your tomatoes at room temperature on the counter, you will find your tomatoes lasting up to a week before faltering.

In the Fridge

For a longer life it is best to store your tomatoes in the refrigerator. This will last longer than out in room temperature and will stay edible for up to two weeks.

In The Freezer

You can also choose to store your tomatoes inside the freezer. If stored sensibly, your tomatoes can last up to six months.

How To Tell If Your Cherry Tomatoes Are Ready To Be Thrown Out

Cherry tomatoes don’t last forever no matter how you store them. Although you can work to preserve them, they do eventually spoil. But what are the signs?

The best way to tell if your cherry tomatoes have gone bad is by the way it looks and its texture.

Spotting

One of the first things you will see is dark spotting on the fruit. This spotting is an indication of a decaying tomato meaning it is time to throw this out.

Soft

Use your fingers to pinch the tomato. If it feels very soft and your fingers are able to sink into the fruit, you know it is now past its recommended date. Tomatoes of all kinds should be firm to the touch; anything opposing this is a clear sign of spoilage.

Wrinkled Skin

If the skin of your cherry tomato has wrinkled and is not carrying its usual smooth exterior, this is a clear sign that the fruit has gone bad.

How To Store Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes need to be stored correctly in order to last long. Depending on storage location – refrigerator, counter, freezer – your tomatoes can last from one week to six months. So, what is the best way to store these?

On The Counter (Room Temperature)

When you are leaving your cherry tomatoes out on the counter at room temperature it is helpful to have your tomatoes laying stem down. By doing this, you are ensuring that the fruit will not become bruised or squished.

It is also important to not over-ripen your tomatoes. Because of this, try to avoid contact with other fruits as this will lead to that result.

Leaving your cherry tomatoes on the counter is mainly for the purpose of ripening. If you leave your tomatoes out then they will not last long.

In The Fridge

It is important for tomatoes to stay at an optimal temperature 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Any lower will spoil and any higher disturbs the quality of the tomato.

Because of this, when you do place you tomatoes into your refrigerator, make sure to have them sat in the fridge door or nearby. By doing so you are allowing the tomatoes to sit in the warmest area of the fridge.

There is no need for sealed bags. What is most important is to not cross contaminate with other food items in your refrigerator and to be wary of its temperature.

In The Freezer

Like many items, you would choose to store your tomatoes into the freezer if you are needing them in the distant future, need more storage space, or are wanting them to last longer.

To freeze, place your ripe cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet in the freezer for around an hour before removing. You then transfer your tomatoes into a sealed bag, making sure to extinguish the air, and keep in the freezer.

It is beneficial to place your tomatoes on a baking sheet before since cherry tomatoes are prone to frosting/sticking together. This process will make the removal of the tomatoes easier in the future.

Final Thoughts

Overall, cherry tomatoes can last long depending on how you choose to care for them. It is important to acknowledge that tomatoes can turn bad easily, however this is not something people want.

The worst thing that can happen is to waste a large batch of cherry tomatoes because it hasn’t been stored correctly.

The best way to store your cherry tomatoes is to leave them out in room temperature on the counter. Leaving them on the counter not only ripens them but allows them to sit in a comfortable temperature.

The recommended temperature for tomatoes are 55 degrees Fahrenheit; based on this, anything higher (in the fridge) would not benefit them.

The downside, however, to keeping them out on the counter is that they only last for up to a week.

If you are wanting them to last longer, feel free to move them into the refrigerator (remember to only do this after they have ripened and to keep them by the refrigerator door).

If you follow these guidelines, you will be sure to have cherry tomatoes set to last.

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!