How To Store Tofu | House Foods (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to store tofu? ›

Simply store the tofu in a container filled with clean and cold water in the fridge. Cook and consume leftover tofu within two or three days, but change the water in the container daily to preserve the tofu's freshness.

At room temperature, tofu has a shelf life of only an hour or so. An original unopened package of tofu can last for three to five days in the refrigerator—opened tofu can too, but you must store it in an airtight container with water.

Tofu will not keep properly without moisture. If you don't want tofu to dry out or go bad, pour water over the container. Pour in enough water that the tofu is just covered. For best results, use filtered water.

It's an easy rule, if you bought it from a refrigerated cabinet, keep it in the fridge. If you bought it from the shelf, you can store it at room temperature. We'd recommend not using tofu which has been improperly stored or is more than a few days over the use by date.

Freezing tofu is easy and you can freeze any variety — it doesn't matter if it's silken, firm, or extra-firm. All you have to do is cut the tofu into cubes the size of your choosing, freeze them solid on a baking sheet, and store them in a freezer container until you're ready to defrost and cook.

Tofu that has been cooked and incorporated into a dish will generally last about 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator, or about 3 months in the freezer. This is assuming the tofu hasn't been prepared with other ingredients that have a shorter shelf life, which will in turn shorten the shelf-life of the entire dish.

Use all your senses to tell if a food has gone bad by looking, touching and smelling the tofu. Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor.

Tofu, a soy-based product, should be handled like a perishable dairy product and should be safe for a week in the refrigerator. If not used during that time, it can be safely frozen. Drain the excess water and wrap well before freezing.

Similarly, the American Cancer Society sees no dangers from eating soy. "For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said.

Just as blanching vegetables not only cooks but seasons them, too, blanching tofu brings out its best texture and flavor. And it only takes a minute to accomplish these results. The quickest dunk in salty, simmering water relaxes the protein into its happiest mood—warm, supple, and creamy, like fresh mozzarella cheese.

Why remove water from tofu? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Both cooked and uncooked tofu is a good source of iron, calcium, and magnesium among other things. Yes, you can eat tofu raw tofu. Tofu is made from soybean curds. It is a great source of protein and healthy addition to your diet.

Store Tofu Up to a Week in the Refrigerator

If you're going to eat the tofu within a week, you can refrigerate it. Cover the tofu with cool, preferably filtered, water and store it in a tightly sealed container or the tub it came in covered with plastic wrap. Change the water daily to keep the tofu moist and fresh.

In general, unopened tofu that's still sealed inside its packaging will stay fresh for two to three months past the date written on it — and for four to six months if it's kept in the freezer (more on this later).

Changes in acceptability, composition and bacterial load during storage for 5 and 10 days at 24°C and 37°C were measured. The shelf life was successfully extended to 10–15 days without refrigeration by smoking and also by storing in salt brines acidified with lemon juice.

In general, opened, uncooked tofu is good for up to five days when stored correctly. As for cooked tofu (including tofu integrated into dishes), you'll have four to five days to eat it when it's stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Of course, the key here is storing the tofu in the right way.

Yes, you can eat tofu raw tofu.

drain off excess liquids, wash it with clean water, and. store it properly in the refrigerator to prevent contamination with germs.

Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor. If you find any of these signs of spoilage, toss the tofu.