Tomatoes are one of the most popular and versatile vegetables in kitchens around the world. From salads to sauces, tomatoes add great flavor and nutrition to many dishes. But when shopping for tomatoes, especially if you need a specific amount, it’s helpful to know some key details like how much a pound of tomatoes weighs and what that equates to in terms of whole tomatoes.
Quick Facts on 1lb of Tomatoes
Here are some quick answers to basic questions about 1lb of tomatoes:
– How many tomatoes are in 1lb? On average, 3 medium tomatoes make up 1lb.
– How much does 1lb of tomatoes cost? The average cost of 1lb of tomatoes is $1.89 in U.S. grocery stores, but the price can range from $0.99 to $3.99 depending on type, season, and source.
– How many cups are in 1lb of chopped tomatoes? Around 2 to 2 1/2 cups of chopped tomatoes come from 1lb of whole tomatoes.
– How many ounces are in 1lb of tomatoes? There are 16 ounces (oz) in 1 pound (lb).
Determining Tomato Weights
When trying to determine the exact weight and size equivalence for 1lb of tomatoes, there are a few factors to consider:
Tomato Type
– Beefsteak – These large, oblong tomatoes often reach 8 ounces each. It would take about 2 beefsteak tomatoes to make 1lb.
– Roma – Also called Italian plum tomatoes, these oval-shaped tomatoes are smaller, averaging 2 to 3 ounces each. You’d need 4 to 5 roma tomatoes for 1lb.
– Cherry/Grape – Extremely small tomato varieties, you would need around 20 cherry or grape tomatoes to equal 1lb.
– Standard Salad tomatoes – The rounded, sliced tomatoes commonly found in salads range from 4 to 6 ounces usually. So 2 to 3 standard salad tomatoes would be about 1lb.
Tomato Size
Tomato size can vary greatly within the same variety. Here are some general tomato sizes to keep in mind:
– Small – golf ball-sized, around 2 ounces each
– Medium – tennis ball-sized, 4 to 6 ounces each
– Large – softball-sized, 7 to 8 ounces each
– Extra Large – larger than average, up to 1lb each
Larger tomatoes will equate to fewer needed for 1lb, while smaller tomatoes will require more to reach 1lb.
How Tomatoes Are Measured
– Individually – Tomatoes sold individually are usually priced per pound, per tomato, or in some cases per container. Determine the weight of one average sized tomato based on variety and size estimates.
– By the pound – With tomatoes sold by the pound, you can simply divide the 1lb total by the estimated weight per tomato to get an approximate number of tomatoes.
– By the container – Containers are usually sized to hold about 1lb of tomatoes. Check weight info on container to confirm.
– Chopped/Canned – Canned, crushed, sauce, juice, or chopped tomatoes will list the total weight and volume amounts.
How Many Tomatoes in 1lb Broken Down by Variety and Size
To make it easier to visualize how many tomatoes make up 1lb depending on their size and variety, here is a breakdown:
Beefsteak
– 2 small beefsteak tomatoes (4oz each)
– 2 medium beefsteak tomatoes (6-8oz each)
– 1-2 extra large beefsteak tomatoes (8-16oz each)
Roma
– 4-5 small roma tomatoes (2-3oz each)
– 3-4 medium roma tomatoes (4-5oz each)
– 3 large roma tomatoes (around 6oz each)
Cherry/Grape
– About 20 cherry or grape tomatoes (1oz each)
Salad/Slicing Tomatoes
– 3-4 small salad tomatoes (3-4oz each)
– 2-3 medium salad tomatoes (5-6oz each)
– 2 large salad tomatoes (7-8oz each)
Comparing Tomato Sizes and Weights
This table provides a helpful comparison of common tomato types, sizes, weights and how many of each it takes to make 1lb:
| Tomato Variety | Tomato Size | Average Tomato Weight | Number for 1lb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beefsteak | Small | 4oz | 2 tomatoes |
| Beefsteak | Medium | 6-8oz | 2 tomatoes |
| Roma | Small | 2-3oz | 4-5 tomatoes |
| Roma | Medium | 4-5oz | 3-4 tomatoes |
| Cherry/Grape | Any | 1oz | About 20 tomatoes |
| Salad | Small | 3-4oz | 3-4 tomatoes |
| Salad | Medium | 5-6oz | 2-3 tomatoes |
Tips for Purchasing 1lb of Tomatoes
– For greater accuracy, weigh your selected tomatoes on a food scale at the grocery store.
– Opt for containers or clamshells marketed as 1lb if you want to skip weighing individually.
– Pick uniformly sized tomatoes when buying by the pound.
– Sort through bins of loose tomatoes to try finding ones equal in size and ripeness.
– Buy slightly more than 1lb to account for natural fluctuations in tomato weights.
The Cost of 1lb of Tomatoes
As mentioned earlier, the average cost of 1lb of tomatoes is $1.89, but pricing depends on a few factors:
Tomato Type
– Beefsteak, vine-ripened, heirloom – Tend to cost more per lb, $2.49-$3.99
– Roma, cherry, grape, salad – Typically cost less per lb, $0.99-$2.49
Time of Year
– Out of season (winter/spring) – More expensive, averaged around $3.99/lb
– Peak season (summer) – Lower prices, as cheap as $0.99/lb
Source
– Grocery store – Average prices, usually $1.89-$2.99/lb
– Farmer’s market – Fluctuating pricing, could be less or more than grocery stores
– Restaurant/prepared – Significantly higher price per pound, $3.99-$7.99
Here is a table summarizing the common costs for 1lb of tomatoes based on type, season, and source:
| Tomato Variety | In-Season Cost | Out-of-Season Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beefsteak | $2.49-$2.99 | $3.49-$3.99 |
| Roma | $1.49-$1.99 | $2.49-$2.99 |
| Cherry/Grape | $1.99-$2.49 | $2.99-$3.49 |
| Salad | $0.99-$1.49 | $1.99-$2.49 |
| Grocery Store | $1.49-$2.49 | $2.49-$3.99 |
| Farmers Market | $0.99-$2.99 | $1.99-$3.99 |
| Restaurant | $3.99-$5.99 | $4.99-$7.99 |
What You Can Expect from 1lb of Fresh Tomatoes
Wondering just how much you can get from 1lb of fresh tomatoes? Here are some guidelines:
– Sliced tomatoes – About 5-6 cups sliced
– Chopped tomatoes – Around 2-2 1/2 cups chopped
– Tomato sauce – Approximately 2 cups of tomato sauce
– Tomato paste – Around 1/2 cup of tomato paste
– Tomato juice – About 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of juice
– Sundried tomatoes – Roughly 1 cup sundried tomatoes
– Salsa – Makes 2 to 2 1/2 cups of salsa
So a pound of fresh tomatoes can enhance salads, sandwiches, soups, stews, sauces, and more! When a recipe calls for a pound of tomatoes, you can use these yield guidelines to know just how much diced, sliced, juiced, or sauce-fied tomatoes to expect.
Storing 1lb of Fresh Tomatoes
Once you get your tomatoes home from the store, proper storage is key to preserving freshness and reducing waste. Here are some tomato storage tips:
– Keep tomatoes at room temperature – The cold of the refrigerator ruins taste and texture.
– Place in indirect sunlight – Some gentle sun is beneficial, but avoid hot direct light.
– Keep away from ethylene gas producing fruits – Bananas, melons, and stone fruits speed up ripening.
– Store stem-side down – This keeps moisture in and prevents shriveling.
– Use within 2-3 days for peak flavor.
– Canned, jarred, and packaged tomatoes stay shelf-stable unopened. Refrigerate after opening.
With proper handling, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful tomatoes from your 1lb purchase for several days.
Typical Uses for 1lb of Tomatoes
One pound of tomatoes provides enough to enhance and add nutrition to all kinds of savory dishes:
Salads
– Tomato salad – Slice 1lb of mixed tomatoes over lettuce with mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and balsamic.
– Greek salad – Dice or slice 1lb of roma tomatoes to mix into a Greek salad.
– Add sliced tomatoes to any green or grain salad as a mix-in.
Sandwiches and Wraps
– Tomato sandwiches – Tomato and mayo sandwiches are classic. Use 5-6 tomato slices per sandwich.
– BLT sandwiches – A BLT uses around 1/4lb of tomato slices per sandwich.
– Tomato bruschetta – Top toasted bread with chopped 1lb tomatoes mixed with olive oil, garlic, and basil.
– Tomato wraps – Combine chopped tomatoes with hummus, feta, spinach, and olives.
Sauces and Salsa
– Tomato sauce – Puree 1lb tomatoes into a rich, basic tomato sauce, adding seasonings like garlic, onion, basil. Simmer until desired consistency.
– Salsa – Chop up 1lb tomatoes, onion, chili pepper, cilantro, and lime juice. Add salt to taste.
– Soup – Add a pound of tomatoes while simmering vegetable, bean, or tomato soup.
Other Ideas
– Pasta with tomato sauce
– Pizza with tomato sauce
– Chili with diced tomatoes
– Tomato omelets or scrambles
– Bruschetta topping
– Fresh tomato jam
– Roasted tomatoes
– Tomato crostini
– Tomato confit
– Tomato chutney
– Tomato-based shakshuka
With so many options, 1lb of tomatoes can inspire many delicious meals!
Key Takeaways on 1lb of Tomatoes
– One pound of tomatoes equals 2-2 1/2 cups chopped or about 3 medium whole tomatoes on average.
– Beefsteak, roma, cherry, grape, and standard salad varieties of tomatoes are commonly sold.
– Prices range from $0.99 to $3.99 per lb depending on season, variety, and source.
– Tomatoes are very versatile in salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizza, salsas, and more.
– Store tomatoes properly to maximize freshness for several days after purchasing.
No matter what you decide to make, buying and using tomatoes by the pound gives you plenty of these tasty, nutritious fruits to enjoy in all kinds of dishes.
