Do Tomatoes Need to Be Refrigerated?

The answer is yes—as long as it's already ripened. Whole, ripe tomatoes should be stored in the fridge, but you should let them warm up to room temp before eating them. ... They're still great for making tomato sauce. Refrigeration isn't always best, though, because it interrupts the ripening process.

Why should you not put tomatoes in the fridge?

A refrigerator is cold—colder than is ideal for tomatoes. ... And here's the other thing to know: The refrigerator is not great for tomatoes—it can degrade their texture and dampen their flavor—but it's far more harmful to lower-quality and underripe tomatoes than it is to truly ripe, delicious ones.

Can tomatoes be kept at room temperature?

When it comes to proper tomato storage, conventional kitchen wisdom (and Alton Brown) state that tomatoes are best stored at room temperature—not in the refrigerator. Supposedly, refrigerated tomatoes develop a mealy texture and lose their flavor if they are exposed to cooler temperatures over time.