What to Do With Leftover Tomato Paste: how to store it, freeze it, and 10+ recipe ideas to use up the leftovers.
Heya, friends. It feels like a good time for another entry in my “Waste Not” series, a series dedicated to reducing food waste in the kitchen.
So far on this topic, I’ve written posts for:
Today, we’re tackling tomato paste, an ingredient that adds tons of flavor to whatever dish you use it in, but one that often goes to waste since a little goes a long way.
So here we go: What to Do With Leftover Tomato Paste.
How to Store Leftover Tomato Paste
Canned tomato paste will keep in the fridge for 5 to 7 days in an airtight container like a mason jar or pyrex storage container. You’ll know it’s gone bad if it starts to smell “off” or if it begins to mold.
Tomato paste that comes in a tube will keep much longer in the fridge, around 45 days.
Tomato paste will keep in the freezer for 2 to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.
How to Freeze Tomato Paste
The best way to freeze tomato paste is in 1 or 2 tablespoon portions since that’s what most recipes call for.
I like to drop spoonfuls of it onto parchment paper squares and measure by weight (1 tablespoon of tomato paste weighs 16 grams) because it’s quicker and less messy than using measuring spoons.
You don’t need to be precious about your measuring. Just get it somewhere in the ballpark and then place all your squares on a plate and freeze solid.
Once the paste is frozen, you can transfer them (parchment paper and all) to a freezer bag for long-term storage.
When you need tomato paste, grab one of the frozen spoonfuls and you’re good to go.
Does frozen tomato paste need to be defrosted before using? Usually no. If you’re using the paste in a soup or a sauce, you can just toss it in, and it will melt and meld in with the rest of the ingredients quickly.
The only time you really need to defrost the paste first is if you’re adding it to a mostly empty pot with things like garlic that burn quickly, because the other ingredients will burn before the paste has time to defrost.
In that case, set the frozen paste near the stove 10 to 20 minutes before you start cooking, and it should be pretty close to defrosted by the time you’re ready to use it.
Leftover Tomato Paste Recipes
When you’re ready to use that leftover tomato paste, here are 10 recipes that use tomato paste to get you started:
- (1 1/2 teaspoons) Dinner for Two One-pot Homemade Spaghettios
- (2 teaspoons) Easy Shepherd’s Pie With Ground Beef (Dinner for Two)
- (1 tablespoon) Tomato Parmesan Scallop Bisque (From The Cozy Cook)
- (1 1/2 tablespoons) Mexican Vegan Vegetable Stew
- (2 tablespoons) Easy Chicken Parm Soup
- (2 tablespoons) Easy Pork Ragu
- (2 tablespoons) Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce (From Salt & Lavender)
- (2 tablespoons) Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta (From Budget Bytes)
- (3 tablespoons) Easy Short Ribs Recipe
- (3 tablespoons) Carnitas Enchiladas
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Jason Peterson says
I never have leftover paste because I dilute it with water add lots of salt and drink it with a meal. It’s what tomato juice in a tetrabrik is. I may also add pepper.
Lisa says
Great tips! Love knowing the weight of an amount of any item, too. Thanks! I do store leftover tomato paste in the frig in a glass container and pour olive oil over top to seal against air even in the jar. You can pour off the oil when needing to use the paste or integrate it into the recipe. The paste is dense enough that it won’t absorb much oil, if any.
Tracy says
Thanks for sharing, Lisa! I hadn’t heard that tip before!!
Kaye says
I put mine on a small cookie tray lined with parchment paper, measure out with a 1 Tablespoon scoop..like an ice cream scoop but smaller, mine has a trigger to release the contents. I usually lightly spray the scoop with Pam and the tomato paste drops right out. Once it’s frozen, I put all of the little scoops of frozen paste into a vacuum sealer bag and seal it up tight. I decided to try this about a year ago, always ended up with 3/4 + of a can left over and hated to just toss it. Besides having little scoops of paste separate, makes it much easier to use, just grab one or two and away I go. 🙂
Tracy says
Love this tip, Kaye!
Jean says
Thank you for the tip on saving tomato paste! Your solution is so simple, I wonder why I didn’t think of it, but sure do appreciate your ideas.The blob on some parchment paper is brilliant!
Thanks!
Joyce says
Thank you for that fantastic tip! I freeze leftovers but never thought to freeze tomato paste. Hate to waste it, now I won’t have to .