I am more a fan of tomato paste than tomato sauce. I use the paste instead of sauce, even in dishes that requires sauce rather than the paste, which is more concentrated.Sometimes, I have these leftovers which I really don’t want to go to waste. How long does tomato paste last if I freeze it?
Quick Answer
Definitely, the paste promises lots of lycopene concentrates in it. And the best thing about it is that you can either freeze the leftover and use it as a face mask.
After opening, the leftover tomato paste must be kept in the fridge or in the freezer. You can refrigerate and be able to use it in its best quality up to 40 to 45 days. Tomato paste will last indefinitely in the freezer, but its freshness may remain only up to 18 months.
Can You Freeze Tomato Paste?
There are many ways of preserving tomato paste, whether it is homemade or those we buy from stores. The easiest way, however, is to freeze tomato paste.
Some households with tomato gardens use canning processes by water bath. It’s a lot of work because you have to check often if the temperature in the spot where you keep them does not fluctuate.
With freezing, there is not much problem as long as the storage is set to zero degrees and below. You can just thaw it in the refrigerator before using.
Tomato has high acid content. It is also rapidly corrosive, that’s why to add a margin of safety, tomato paste, especially the canned ones, should only be preserved up to 18 months.
You do not freeze the tomato paste with the metal can, of course. Even the tomato sauce that are packed in tubes should be transferred into other container when stored in the freezer.
How to Freeze Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is versatile. It’s a powerful flavor that you can mix with various kinds of recipes. You can freeze any leftover so you can use it again for another food dish.
- Use a slightly hollowed spoon to scrape out the unconsumed paste of tomato
- Settle each spoon of paste into a board or wax paper
- You can place the paste in muffin tins or cupcake plastic cups if you prefer to use bigger amount of paste in each unit
- Place them in the freezer for up to four hours
- Take out the hardened tomato paste globs and transfer them to a freezer bag or to an airtight container
- Put the globs loosely into the bag in a single layer. This way, it will be easy to separate if you use the others
- Label the bags or container with the expiry date indicated in product.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Tomato Paste?
Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes that is often used in cooking to add flavor and depth to a dish. While it can be a great ingredient, you may find yourself with extra tomato paste if you don’t use it very often. So what do you do with leftover tomato paste? Here are five delicious ways to use up your tomato paste:
- Make a pizza sauce – Tomato paste can be used to make a delicious pizza sauce. Just add some water, spices, and sugar to the paste, and you’ll have a tasty sauce for your next pizza night.
- Add it to soup – Tomato paste can also be used to add flavor and body to soup. Just add a spoonful or two to your favorite soup recipe, and you’ll have a delicious and hearty meal in no time.
- Make a tomato relish – Tomato relish is a great way to use up extra tomato paste. To make tomato relish, you will need 2 cups of tomato paste, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of vinegar, 1 onion, and 1 green bell pepper. Simply combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Pour into jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. This recipe makes about 4 half-pint jars of relish.
- Use it as a marinade – Tomato paste can also be used as a marinade for meats or vegetables. Just combine the paste with some oil, vinegar, and spices, and you’ll have a delicious marinade that will add flavor and tenderness to your next dish.
- Make a tomato jam – Tomato jam is a great way to use up extra tomato paste. To make tomato jam, you will need 3 cups of tomato paste, 1 cup of sugar, 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 package of fruit pectin. Simply combine the tomato paste and sugar in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add the lemon juice and pectin and stir until combined. Pour into jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. This recipe makes about 4 half-pint jars of jam.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover tomato paste. Next time you find yourself with extra tomato paste, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Tomato Paste Recipes
This Simple Italian Garlic Chicken Tomato recipe is a wonderful way to cook chicken legs. Splashed with a little wine, the tomato flavor is absorbed fully by the meat.
Full of vitamin C, this tomato-rich pizza sauce is made out of tomato paste. It is definitely the quickiest way to make a tasty sauce for your pizza.
The following steps in this video will show you the technique in bringing out the tomato flavor when you make marinara sauce out of tomato paste.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze tomato paste. It will last for 6-8 months in the freezer if stored properly. There are two ways to go about freezing it: put it in a freezer-safe container or pack it into an airtight bag.
Please share your experience with me in the comment section below after packaging up your tomato paste! How do you plan to use it?