I Asked 3 Experienced Farmers for the Best Way to Store Tomatoes—Here's the One Step You Shouldn't Skip

If only our favorite fruits and veggies came with labels like our clothes, telling us how to care for them. Instead of ‘machine wash cold; lay flat to dry,’ it might say ‘keep in the crisper drawer; wash only when ready to eat.’

Unfortunately, fresh produce doesn’t come with these handy instructions, and it’s up to us to figure out the best way to treat them. While some fruits and veggies thrive in cool environments, others—like fresh basil—will wilt in the fridge. Many can be washed ahead of time, but most last longer if you wait until you're about to enjoy them before rinsing.

As we’re right in the middle of tomato season (May through October in most of the U.S.), we thought it was the perfect time to revisit how to store tomatoes. This time, we went straight to the experts: the farmers who grow them. Here’s what three of them had to say.

Meet the Farmers Behind the Knowledge

• Farmer Lee Jones, a regenerative farmer and the founder of The Chef Garden in Huron, Ohio
• Dana Peters, a Barney, Georgia-based produce and floral field inspector at Whole Foods Market (who grew up on a small family farm)
• Jerrold Watson, co-owner of Watsonia Farms in Monetta, South Carolina

The Best Way to Store Tomatoes, According to Expert Farmers

The optimal storage method for tomatoes depends on their ripeness and variety, but all three farmers agree on one thing: 'Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature, out of direct sunlight. This helps maintain their flavor and texture,' says Jones.

Unripe tomatoes should be kept at room temperature to ripen naturally. If you want them to ripen more quickly, 'keep tomatoes away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples or bananas, as these can speed up the ripening process,' advises Peters.

Ethylene is a natural gas released by certain fruits and vegetables, including avocados, kiwi, and peaches (and even tomatoes themselves). Exposure to this gas accelerates the ripening of ethylene-sensitive produce. While tomatoes aren't as affected as fruits like avocados, bananas, or peppers, studies suggest that they will ripen faster if stored near ethylene-emitting fruits.

Once your tomatoes are ripe, you can enjoy them immediately or store them using these expert tips from Peters:

• Store tomatoes stem-side down. We were blown away by this simple yet brilliant strategy. Turns out, flipping the tomatoes over decreases the airflow to the stem. As a result, there’s less potential contact with mold, bacteria, or other contaminants that could speed up spoilage. Plus, tomatoes tend to stay juicier longer when stored upside-down.
• Place them on a dry kitchen counter in the coolest part of the kitchen. “The ideal storage temperature for tomatoes is between 55 and 70 degrees F, but the temperature of most refrigerators is closer to 40 degrees F,” Peters says. “A fully ripe tomato can go into the refrigerator for a day or two and still eat well, but before eating, the tomato should be brought back to room temperature. An underripe tomato will never improve with refrigeration.”

The Worst Way to Store Tomatoes

The biggest mistake you can make when storing tomatoes? 'Putting them in the refrigerator. It ruins their flavor,' says Jerrold Watson, co-owner of Watsonia Farms in Monetta, South Carolina.

Refrigeration doesn’t just rob tomatoes of their fresh, vibrant flavor—it can also result in a mealy texture. The only time refrigeration is acceptable is if you've already cut the tomatoes. In that case, refrigeration is necessary to prevent bacterial growth. Store the cut tomatoes in an airtight container and refrigerate, but try to use them up quickly.

How Long Do Fresh Tomatoes Last?

The lifespan of a tomato depends on its variety and how ripe it was when you bought it. If you picked fresh tomatoes from your garden or bought them at a farmers' market the day before, they typically last about seven days. Check on them daily to assess their ripeness and make sure none are leaking juice or developing mold.

If you can’t use up your fresh tomatoes within a week, consider canning or freezing them. This will allow you to enjoy one of summer's finest fruits for up to eight months (frozen) or twelve months (canned).

How to Enjoy Fresh Tomatoes, Farmer-Style

The best tomato dishes are often the simplest: 'I love to eat fresh tomatoes straight from the vine, with a handkerchief in one hand and a tomato in the other,' says Jones. (It’s the essence of summer!)

Watson and Peters enjoy fresh tomatoes in salads and sandwiches. 'My favorite way to eat a ripe tomato is sliced and added to a bacon, tomato, and cheese sandwich,' says Peters.

Looking for more ways to use your fresh tomatoes? Try the World's Best Pasta Sauce, Balsamic Bruschetta, Cucumber Tomato Salad, Fresh Tomato Soup, Panzanella Salad, or Chef John's Tomato Tart—all favorites among home cooks.