How to Ripen Tomatoes Faster for Cooking: Quick Tips for Flavorful Results

Frustrated by rock-hard, flavorless tomatoes when you need them for tonight’s dinner? Whether you’re making a fresh pasta sauce, salsa, or caprese salad, ripe tomatoes bring that vibrant taste and juiciness to your favorite dishes. The good news is you don’t have to wait days for them to naturally soften. With a few clever tricks, you can speed up the ripening process and get them ready for cooking in no time.

Why Ripen Tomatoes Faster?

• Enhanced Flavor: Tomatoes picked too soon can taste bland. Ripening them properly helps develop their characteristic sweetness and tang.
• Fresher Ingredients: Getting tomatoes to the perfect texture and color can elevate everything from sauces to salads.
• Less Waste: Softening up tomatoes before they go bad prevents throwing them out prematurely.

3 Easy Methods to Speed Tomato Ripening

1. Paper Bag Method

1. Add Ethylene-Friendly Fruit: Place your tomatoes in a paper bag with an ethylene-producing fruit like an apple or banana.
2. Roll and Seal: Gently fold the top of the bag to trap the ethylene gas but allow a bit of airflow.
3. Check Daily: Look in on them each day. They can ripen within 1–3 days depending on how green they started out.

Pro Tip: Avoid plastic bags, as they might trap excess moisture and promote mold.

2. Warm, Sunny Spot

1. Windowsill Trick: Arrange your tomatoes in a single layer on a windowsill or countertop that gets indirect sunlight.
2. Rotate Regularly: Turn them every so often to expose all sides to warmth.
3. Inspect for Softness: Once the tomatoes develop a slight give when gently pressed, they’re good to go.

Pro Tip: Don’t place them in scorching direct sunlight, which can overheat and spoil the tomatoes instead of ripening them.

3. Use a Brown Box or Basket

1. Layer with Care: If you have several tomatoes, line a shallow box or basket with a soft cloth or paper.
2. Separate in Layers: Keep space between tomatoes to prevent bruising.
3. Cover Lightly: Drape a cloth or another sheet of paper on top to maintain moderate warmth and airflow.

Pro Tip: This method is great if you picked up a large batch of slightly under-ripe tomatoes at a farmers market and want to ripen them all at once.

Final Thoughts on Speeding Tomato Ripening

By using naturally produced ethylene gas and just a bit of warmth, you can transform bland, firm tomatoes into juicy, flavorful ones—perfect for everything from homemade marinara to classic BLTs. Embrace these quick-ripening strategies, and you’ll be ready to cook at a moment’s notice, no matter how green your tomatoes start out.