Shelf Life Tips
- How long does a can of tomatoes last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened tomatoes (including crushed, stewed, whole, or diced tomatoes) refrigerated and tightly covered.
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To maximize the shelf life of canned or packaged tomatoes after opening, refrigerate in covered glass or plastic container.
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How long do opened canned tomatoes last in the refrigerator? Tomatoes that have been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 5 to 7 days.
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Are canned tomatoes safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided they have been stored properly, the can or package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially canned tomatoes will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the tomatoes will remain at peak quality.
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To further extend the shelf life of opened canned tomatoes, freeze them: to freeze tomatoes, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long do canned tomatoes last in the freezer? Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - tomatoes that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long do canned tomatoes last after being frozen and thawed? Tomatoes that have been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; tomatoes that were thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.
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How can you tell if opened canned tomatoes are bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the tomatoes: if the tomatoes develop an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, they should be discarded.
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Discard all tomatoes from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
