How to store tomato paste: how much, and under what conditions

There are several proven ways to store tomato paste that will extend its shelf life, even after opening the container.

Storing tomato paste

Having purchased tomato paste packaged in a metal container, immediately after opening it must be transferred to a dry, clean glass container from the glass. Then it must be tightly closed and placed in the refrigerator. It is important to mention that under no circumstances should you scoop up the sauce with a dirty spoon; it will introduce harmful microorganisms into the tomato paste, which will speed up the souring process.

For longer storage, you will have to choose one of the more reliable saving methods.

Recanning

This storage option is considered more reliable. This applies to the case when there is a large amount of tomato paste and it is not planned to use it soon.

After boiling the paste, it must be placed in small sterile glass jars. After this, they should be hermetically sealed with metal lids (or screw caps), like regular preservation.

Adding vegetable oil or mustard

After opening a large container of tomato paste, naturally, there is no way to consume it in a short time. Therefore, you need to pour a couple of tablespoons of sunflower oil into it (it’s good if you’re not too lazy and rub it on the walls of the jar too) and close the lid tightly. Before doing this, it is advisable to thoroughly wipe the neck of any remaining paste, otherwise mold will form on it, which after a certain period will get under the oil.

Mustard also helps prolong the shelf life of the product. Apply it to the sides of the jar and the bottom of the lid.

In this state, the shelf life of tomato paste will last 2-3 weeks.

Freezing tomato paste

In the bank

Tomato paste can be frozen along with the container if it is a tin package. To do this, you need to remove the lid, use cling film instead and place the jar in the freezer. After waiting until the product freezes (this will take 1 day), you need to remove it and dip it in hot water for a couple of seconds. This action will help the frozen mass to separate from the walls of the jar. Then the “piece” of tomato paste should be cut into circles, packed in a separate bag, tightly closed and put back in the freezer. This product can be stored for 3 months.

In molds

It is very convenient to store opened tomato paste by arranging it in portioned pieces, for example, in ice cube trays and others in a frozen state. During packaging, it is necessary to ensure that the tomato paste does not go beyond the mold. On the contrary, it should not reach the surface a little, otherwise the paste will “come out” when it freezes. After a day, the “beautiful” paste needs to be squeezed out of the molds, put into a separate bag and sent to the freezer.

In a vacuum bag

In this case, it is necessary to carry out the same processes as in previous cases: transfer the remaining mass from a large jar into an oblong bag, form a “sausage”, freeze, then cut and put it in the freezer again.

See the video “TOMATO PASTE (SAUCE). How to store tomato paste after opening the jar? Two proven methods.":