Is It Really Okay To Eat A Split Tomato?

It can be extremely disappointing to head out to your garden, only to see that the juicy tomatoes you've been growing all season seem to be cracked. Split tomatoes occur as the fruit ripens, but is it safe to eat a split tomato? We chatted with Alabama-based registered dietitian Chelsea Edwards to get the answers.

Can You Eat Split Tomatoes?

The answer is not straightforward, according to Edwards, but a good rule of thumb is that if the crack can be cut out, or if you can cut around the cracked part, it should be OK.

“Cracked tomatoes are tomatoes that have a split in the skin where you can see the flesh of the tomato inside,” Edwards explains. “If you cut around the cracked part, the rest of the tomato can still be eaten, (but) the cracked part can attract flies or cause mold to grow.”

About Split Tomatoes

When tomatoes crack, they usually follow one of two patterns: radial cracking and concentric cracking. Radial cracking refers to vertical splits, while concentric cracking refers to splits that form in a circular pattern around the fruit’s stem.

What Causes Tomatoes To Split?

Cracks occur in tomatoes when the fluid content increases rapidly and the skin of the tomato can't stretch at the same rate. 

“It can happen at any point in the growth of a tomato,” Edwards explains.

Can Split Tomatoes Be Ripened?

If the crack does not expose the interior of the fruit – which would allow bugs and mold to infiltrate – it’s safe to leave it on the vine. The closer to ripe the tomato is, the more likely it is to still ripen with a crack. 

“Green tomatoes with cracks are more likely to go bad on the vine than more ripe tomatoes that crack,” Edwards says. “Pay attention to any mold or fly activity when the fruit is still on the vine.”

What Can I Do With Split Tomatoes?

Harvest them immediately. If the split can be cut away, it’s safe to use the fruit in recipes as usual. Split tomatoes can be used for salsa, tomato sauce, and soups.