Best Ways To Ripen Tomatoes

Learning how to ripen tomatoes on and off the vine can be tricky, but it can be done successfully with the proper techniques. Several methods can be used to encourage tomato ripening.

Generally, you'll know your tomatoes are ready to pick when they have turned red, orange, or yellow (depending on the variety). You should also look for signs such as firmness and a glossy sheen - all indicators that the tomato is fully ripened.

If the tomato is still underripe green, try one of the tricks mentioned below to help it ripen on the vine and off.

How to ripen tomatoes explained. A bunch of ripe tomatoes

⬇️ Table of Contents

The Ripening Process of Tomatoes
5 Ways To Ripen Tomatoes Indoors
What Makes A Green Tomato Turn Red?
How To Store Ripened Tomatoes
5 Tricks For Ripening Tomatoes On The Vine Faster

The Ripening Process of Tomatoes

The ripening process begins with two hormones: abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene. Abscisic acid helps to keep young fruits from prematurely ripening, while ethylene helps by triggering the production of enzymes within the fruit.

Other factors that speed up the ripening process include temperature, sunlight, oxygen levels, humidity, and water content.

5 Ways To Ripen Tomatoes Indoors

Group of unripen heirloom tomatoes at the super market.

Learn how to easily ripen Indoors; tomatoes to ripen using the best method can be a bit more challenging, but you can use a few easy ways and simple techniques to help your tomatoes reach their full delicious potential.

Tomatoes are best eaten during their peak growing season, which typically runs from late spring through late summer (depending on where you live). In North America, peak tomato season usually begins in May or June and ends in October or November.

1. Cardboard Box Method

Place your tomatoes in a cardboard box and store them in a warm location, on top of your refrigerator, or near a sunny window. With this method, you'll have tomatoes ready for eating faster than ever. Add one ripening banana and one apple with the tomatoes for a day or two to speed up the process.

2. Hanging Upside Down Method

This method involves hanging the tomato plant upside down and suspending it from an overhead structure with a string, wire, or a clothes hanger. This helps the tomatoes ripen and release the natural gas more quickly.

3. Paper Bag Method

It involves putting your unripe tomatoes in a paper bag along with a banana or apple and storing them in a warm location, such as on top of your refrigerator or near a sunny window.

Paper bag used to ripen tomatoes indoors

4. The Windowsill Approach

Place them on a windowsill and continue to ripen your tomatoes by selecting a sunny spot; take advantage of the sun’s natural warmth to speed up the ripening.

The main difference between this approach and other gas methods is that this method will ripen a tomato using natural sunlight instead of creating an artificial environment.

What Makes A Green Tomato Turn Red?

A green tomato turning red is a process known as ripening. Ripening is the process in which fruit goes from unripe to ripe, and it is triggered by the plant's hormones, from cherry tomatoes to Brandys.

Ethylene

It is a naturally emitted hormone by fruit, and when it accumulates, it triggers the ripening process.

Light

The light from the sun provides natural warmth, which helps to speed up the mature process of tomatoes. A sunny spot can be an effective way to ripen tomatoes off the vine.

Temperature

When exposed to higher temperatures, the gas production in tomatoes will increase, thus accelerating ripening. So, if you need your tomatoes to get ready faster, one of the best methods would be to expose them to a warmer environment.

How To Store Ripened Tomatoes

The simplest way to store them is in the refrigerator. The fridge's cool temperatures will slow the ripening process and keep your tomatoes fresh for up to five days. This will also help make sure of no mold or rot.

To properly store your tomatoes in the fridge, remove any stems from the top and place them in a shallow container with a lid. Make sure there is no air circulation within the container, as this can cause spoilage and reduce its shelf life.

Freezing Ripe Tomatoes

Before you freeze your tomatoes, blanch them first by boiling them briefly in water and then transferring them into an ice bath. Blanching helps preserve some of its vitamins and minerals while making them easier to peel when frozen.

Once they have been blanched, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then pop them into the freezer until they are completely frozen solid (about two hours).

Transfer them into an airtight container or resealable bag before returning them back into the freezer for use at a later date.

Canning

To extend the shelf life of your tomatoes even further, consider canning them! Canning involves preserving food by heating it under pressure in order to create an airtight seal around it so that bacteria cannot get inside and cause spoilage.

5 Tricks For Ripening Tomatoes On The Vine Faster

Cut Off The New Growth
Trim The Flowers
Pinch The Suckers
Pluck Off Tiny Tomatoes
Prune Some Of The Leaves

Can I Leave The Tomatoes On The Vine And Let Them Ripen Naturally?

Yes, you can leave tomatoes ripen naturally on the vine. This is generally the preferred method for many gardeners as it allows the fruit to fully mature and develop its flavor.

When ripe, tomatoes left on the vine will be firmer, plumper, and juicier than those picked before they are fully mature.

What Can I Do With Overripe Tomatoes?

They can still be used in a variety of recipes, such as soups, sauces, and stews. You could also puree them for use in dips, dressings, and marinades.

You can also store them in the freezer for future use or turn them into homemade tomato paste.

Is There a Difference Between Store Bought Tomatoes And Homegrown Tomatoes?

Absolutely! Homegrown tomatoes are fresher, full of flavor and nutrition, and are often more aromatic than those purchased from the store since they have not been picked early for shipping.

Additionally, homegrown tomatoes often have better texture and a much longer shelf life than their store-bought counterparts.

How Do I Get My Tomatoes To Turn Red?

The key to getting your tomatoes to turn red is patience and care. Start by ensuring the plants have plenty of sunlight and water. Tomatoes need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to ripen properly, so make sure they're getting enough.

Water them regularly, making sure the soil is moist but not soggy. Once they start to show some color, pick them off the vine when they are still slightly green and let them ripen indoors on a kitchen counter.

You can also try adding some fruit peels to the soil around your plants, as this will help provide extra potassium for ripening. Finally, pruning away any yellowing leaves can help give your tomatoes more energy for ripening and turning red.

Why Tomatoes Ripen Faster In A Greenhouse

It happens faster in a greenhouse because greenhouses provide an ideal environment for tomato plants to thrive. Greenhouses offer protection from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures, which can damage the tomato plant.

The temperature inside the greenhouse is generally warmer than outside. Additionally, greenhouses trap more heat and humidity inside, which helps maintain higher levels of carbon dioxide for the plants to use when photosynthesizing. This results in greater growth and faster ripening of tomatoes.

The air inside a greenhouse can also be circulated better than outdoors making it easier for nutrients to reach all parts of the plant. All these factors combined help ensure tomatoes matures quickly in a greenhouse environment.