Carter Family Recipes

Freezing Leftover Tomato Paste in Small Portions


Freeze extra tomato paste in measured portions so the next sauce needs only what you use. There is no need to freeze the opened can or handle its sharp metal ends.

Portion and freeze

  1. Transfer wholesome leftover paste from the can with a clean spoon. Portion onto a parchment-lined tray or into a food-safe freezer mold, for example in 1-tablespoon amounts.
  2. Freeze until firm, then move the portions to a labeled freezer-safe container or bag. Remove excess air where practical.
  3. Use from frozen in simmering sauces or thaw in the refrigerator. For good quality, aim to use within about 3 months; this is a quality target, not a guarantee that mishandled food is safe.

Handle the remainder safely

Refrigerate or freeze promptly and follow the product’s storage directions. Do not freeze a damaged, moldy, or long-neglected remainder to rescue it. Freezing stops growth while frozen but does not reliably destroy harmful organisms.

Filed under:

Leave a Reply