How to Tell If Tomatoes Are Bad

Signs Tomatoes have gone bad

1. Leaking, wet skin. Oozing juice or a wet puddle under the tomato means the cells have burst. Toss it, especially if it’s mushy.
2. Mold on the skin or stem. White, gray, or green fuzz, often starting near the stem scar, means the tomato is spoiled. Soft tomatoes with mold are not worth trimming.
3. Dark, sunken, soft patches. Black or deep brown sunken areas mean rot has set in. A tiny bruised spot on a firm tomato can be cut out, but large patches mean discard.
4. Sour, fermented, or off smell. Ripe tomatoes smell sweet and earthy. A sour or alcohol-like smell indicates spoilage.
5. Extremely wrinkled, collapsing skin. Deep wrinkling and a hollow, floppy feel usually means it’s too far gone. If the inside is clean and smells fine, cook it quickly; otherwise toss.
6. Slimy or stringy interior. Cut it open. Slimy, brown, or foul-smelling pulp means discard it.

Looks weird, but it's fine

• Slightly soft with a few wrinkles near the stem. Overripe tomatoes are still good in sauces, soups, or roasted dishes if there’s no mold or sour smell.
• Cracks on the shoulders. Those splits from growing or uneven watering are cosmetic if they’re dry. Cut away any that look wet or moldy.
• Green or yellow patches. Unevenly ripened tomatoes are safe, just less sweet. Leave them on the counter to finish ripening.

How long do Tomatoes last?

How to store them

• Keep ripe tomatoes on the counter out of direct sun, stem side down or up, and use them within a few days.
• Only refrigerate once they’re fully ripe and you can’t use them yet. Let them come to room temperature before eating to bring back flavor.
• Don’t stack tomatoes. Bruising from pressure starts soft spots.

Use it up before it turns

Ci Siamo Cast Iron Focaccia with Tomato Conserva Heinz Tomato Ketchup Maggiano's Linguine di Mare (Spicy Tomato Seafood Linguine) Nordstrom Café Tomato Basil Soup

Frequently asked questions

More food freshness guides