How long do tomatoes last?

Checked 24 Oct 20264 official publishers, 5 sources

Fresh: 1-2 days in the fridge, 2 months in the freezer for best quality and when ripe in the pantry.

Storage times for tomatoes by state and place
StatePantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Fresh When ripe FoodKeeper Extension 1-2 days Extension Also stated: 2 weeks (flexible package) Extension 2 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension
Cherry tomatoes 10 days FoodKeeper 5 days FoodKeeper Not stated
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStatePantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018FreshWhen ripe-2 months
Nebraska ExtensionFreshWhen ripe1-2 days2 months
Utah State University ExtensionFresh-2 weeks-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Cherry tomatoes10 days5 days-

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

  • Until Ripe, then 7 days. Ripe is when this item is tender, fully developed and ready to eat. Refrigeration may affect flavor; USDA recommends pantry storage. FoodKeeper
  • “Use only for cooking or seasoning as tomatoes will not be solid when thawed.” Extension
  • “Wash and dip in boiling water for 30 seconds to loosen skins. Core and peel. Freeze whole or in pieces.” Extension
  • “Tomatoes green mature flexible package 55-70°F moderately dry basement 4-6 weeks” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper and the Nebraska Extension chart give fresh tomatoes the same time out of the fridge: until ripe, then 7 days.12

FoodKeeper describes ripe as tender, fully developed and ready to eat, notes that refrigeration may affect flavor, and says USDA recommends pantry storage.1

For the refrigerator the sources disagree: Nebraska gives 1 to 2 days for ripe tomatoes and says to store them at room temperature otherwise, while Utah State University Extension lists 2 weeks for fresh ripe tomatoes in a flexible package at 38 to 40 °F.23

FoodKeeper itself gives no refrigerator time for regular tomatoes.1

In the freezer, FoodKeeper and Nebraska agree on 2 months.12

The National Center for Home Food Preservation freezes raw tomatoes whole or in pieces after dipping them in boiling water for 30 seconds to loosen the skins, then coring and peeling them.5

It says to use them only for cooking or seasoning, as tomatoes will not be solid when thawed.5

Cherry tomatoes have their own FoodKeeper entry: 10 days in the pantry and 5 days in the refrigerator.4

Utah State lists 4 to 6 weeks for green mature tomatoes kept in a flexible package in a moderately dry basement at 55 to 70 °F.3

Rules that apply here

Freezing and refreezingFridge and freezer temperature
OnionsGarlicWatermelon

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 306: Tomatoes. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Tomatoes. Pantry: When Ripe (Until Ripe, then 7 days. Ripe is when this item is tender, fully developed and ready to eat. Refrigeration may affect flavor; USDA recommends pantry storage.); DOP_Freeze: 2 Months
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Tomatoes Until ripe, then 7 days 1 to 2 days if ripe, otherwise store at room temperature 2 months (freezing tomatoes)
  3. Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Tomatoes fresh ripe flexible package 38 -40°F refrigerator 2 weeksTomatoes green mature flexible package 55-70°F moderately dry basement 4-6 weeks
  4. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 600: Cherry tomatoes. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cherry tomatoes. Pantry: 10 Days; Refrigerate: 5 Days
  5. Freezing Tomatoes - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Use only for cooking or seasoning as tomatoes will not be solid when thawed.Wash and dip in boiling water for 30 seconds to loosen skins. Core and peel. Freeze whole or in pieces.
  6. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.