Tomatoes are a versatile ingredient used in many dishes from sauces to salads. However, like any fresh produce, they have a limited shelf life. So how can you tell if that ripe red tomato you bought has gone bad?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the signs of spoiled tomatoes, how to store them properly, and tips to extend their freshness.
How Long Do Fresh Tomatoes Last?
The shelf life of tomatoes depends on several factors like variety, ripeness level and storage method. On average tomatoes stored at room temperature last
- Whole ripe tomatoes: around 7 to 10 days
- Unripe tomatoes: up to 2 weeks
- Cherry or grape tomatoes: 5 to 7 days
Refrigerating tomatoes can add a few more days to their shelf life, Canned and jarred tomatoes last 1 to 1,5 years unopened
7 Ways to Identify Spoiled Tomatoes
Watch out for these common signs that indicate your tomatoes have gone bad:
1. Soft Spots or Mushy Texture
Fresh tomatoes should feel firm. If they have soft, mushy spots, it means the tomato is overripe or starting to decompose. Discard tomatoes that are very soft or leaking juice.
2. Wrinkled Skin
Wrinkled skin signals dehydration and aging. While wrinkled tomatoes may still be edible, their texture and flavor will be compromised.
3. Mold Growth
The presence of fuzz, white or green mold spots means the tomato has spoiled. Discard tomatoes at the first sign of mold.
4. Discoloration
Tomatoes turning black, brown or translucent indicate rotting. Spotting can start on the top or bottom. Any discoloration means it’s time to toss the tomato.
5. Damaged Skin
Cracks, bruises or leaking juice are also signs of spoilage. Damaged skin allows bacteria to enter and speeds up decay.
6. Strong Smell
A putrid, sour or fermented odor means the tomato is no longer fresh. Trust your nose!
7. Attracts Fruit Flies
Swarms of fruit flies around tomatoes can indicate spoilage. Remove and inspect tomatoes that attract flies.
Check both the exterior and interior of sliced tomatoes for signs of spoilage. Discard tomatoes at the first suspicion they’ve gone bad. Consuming spoiled tomatoes can cause food poisoning.
Proper Tomato Storage
Follow these tips to extend the life of fresh tomatoes:
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Keep unripe tomatoes stem-side down at room temperature. Once ripe, move to the refrigerator.
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Never refrigerate unripe tomatoes. The cold damages membranes and prevents ripening.
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Store ripe tomatoes uncovered on the counter away from direct sunlight.
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Place tomatoes stem-side up and avoid overcrowding.
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Keep different varieties separated as they ripen at different rates.
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Move cut tomatoes to an airtight container and refrigerate. Use within 2 days.
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Wash tomatoes just before eating. Moisture speeds up decay.
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Never store tomatoes near ethylene-producing fruits like bananas.
What Causes Tomatoes to Spoil Quickly?
Here are some common mistakes that can accelerate tomato spoilage:
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Storing at temperatures below 55°F stops ripening and damages texture.
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Placing in sealed plastic bags or containers traps moisture and causes mold.
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Refrigerating unripe tomatoes prevents them from ripening properly.
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Washing tomatoes before storage spreads bacteria and speeds up decay.
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Grouping tomatoes in piles leads to bruising and accelerated spoilage.
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Leaving tomatoes on the counter in direct sunlight causes uneven ripening.
Can You Rescue a Spoiled Tomato?
Unfortunately, once a tomato shows signs of rotting, it’s best to discard it. Mold and bacteria causing deterioration cannot be reversed.
Freezing or cooking spoiled tomatoes is also unsafe. The pathogens survive and can still cause foodborne illness. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to spoiled produce!
The Takeaway
Check tomatoes for soft spots, skin damage, discoloration and mold before using. Ripe tomatoes kept at room temperature generally last a week. Follow proper storage methods like keeping unripe tomatoes at room temp and placing ripe tomatoes in the fridge. Discard tomatoes at the first signs of spoilage to avoid food poisoning. With these tips, you’ll be able to spot bad tomatoes and keep the good ones fresh!
StepsSection 1 of 3:
- 1 Look for lots of bruising and leaking juice. If your tomato has one or two bruises on it, its still safe to eat—but its going bad fast. Cut around the bruises and eat the tomato or use it in a recipe as soon as possible. If the tomato is covered in bruises and leaking juice from the inside, its probably rotting and needs to be tossed.[1]
- A bad tomato might also appear dull in color. Ripe tomatoes are always vibrant!
- Is it okay to eat a bruised tomato? Yes, as long as its only bruised in a couple of places. Make sure its not moldy or leaking juice.
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2 Feel if its soft and mushy. A good, ripe tomato is plump with juice and firm to the touch (but not rock hard).[2] A rotting tomato is soft and mushy to the touch. Its best to throw it away rather than try to eat it. Advertisement - 3 Check for black, white, or green mold spots. When mold grows on tomatoes, it tends to show up as black, white, or green spots. If you see these, its game over. The USDA recommends discarding moldy tomatoes immediately.[3]
- Is it okay to eat a moldy tomato? No, never eat a tomato with mold on it. Throw it away even if you only see one or two fuzzies.
- 4 Check it for a sour smell. A ripe tomato should smell floral, hearty, and well, tomato-ey.[4] If it smells sour or foul, dont eat it, even if it looks okay from the outside. Its probably already begun to rot underneath the skin.
Advertisement Section 2 of 3:
How can you tell if a tomato is bad?
Chef Jeff Woodward says the best way to spot a bad tomato is to cut it open. Even if the outside looks dull or bruised, the tomato is still ok to eat if the inside looks bright and fresh. If the flesh inside is brown or has spots, however, the tomato has gone bad and you should throw it away.
How to tell if a tomato is bad? And how to pick a good tomato
FAQ
How do you know if a tomato is bad?
How do you know when to not eat tomatoes?
Tomatoes should have taught, blemish-free skin. If there’s a bruised spot or two, it’s OK to cut around them and enjoy the rest of the tomato (maybe turn it into a nice tomato sauce), but if the entire fruit is pocked with spots, it’s best to move on.
How do you know if your tomatoes are rotten?
A water-soaked spot at the blossom end of tomato fruits is the classic symptom of blossom end rot, and damage first appears when fruits are approximately half their full size. The water-soaked areas enlarge and turn dark brown and leathery.
Is it okay to eat tomatoes that are soft?
Overripe tomatoes will be on the soft side all over and more difficult to cleanly cut. However, they’re still perfectly safe and delicious to eat!
How do you know if a tomato is spoiled?
If there is a small spot of mold on your tomato, do not risk eating it. Other signs of spoiled tomatoes include wrinkling on the skin and leaking fluids. Premature tomato fruits are small, dark green, and have difficulty reaching full maturity after being removed from the vine.
How do you know if a tomato is Rotten?
Brugmansiaspp. (Figure 1). The commonly observed symptoms on greenhouse tomato in the Netherlands are reduction in leaf size, chlorotic flecking (mosaic) and mottling on leaves, shrivelling of leaves, vein-banding, stunting of plants and discolouration of flowers.