Tofu can be kept in your refrigerator for a few months if it hasn’t been opened, but once it’s been opened, it loses quality much more quickly.
When tofu is cooked, you might be unsure of how long you can store the leftovers before they go bad because an entire package is frequently too much for one meal.
What is the shelf life of cooked tofu? Cooked tofu will keep fresh and safe in proper storage for 4-5 days. However, depending on whether you combined the tofu with other foods like noodles or sauces, this number may change. Additionally, cooked tofu can be frozen for up to three months.
This article will go over the best ways to store tofu after it has been cooked and how to determine when it is past its prime if you want to make the most of your cooked tofu. Even freezing cooked tofu tips and tricks will be covered!
How to Keep Cooked Tofu Fresh
When it comes to storing tofu after you buy it and, particularly, after you’ve cooked it, the fact that you can find tofu outside of the refrigerator section of a grocery store can be confusing.
Tofu can be prepared in a wide range of ways, and depending on how you’ve prepared it or how you intend to use it in the future, how it is stored may change slightly.
A few crucial queries regarding cooked tofu are frequently asked. Is refrigeration required? If so, how long will it last before going bad at room temperature? Next, we’ll elaborate on both of these inquiries.
Should You Refrigerate Cooked Tofu?
If you aren’t going to eat the entire batch of cooked tofu within an hour or two, it must be refrigerated immediately.
Tofu that has been cooked and properly stored will stay tasty and safe for 4-5 days after it has been prepared.
Any type of cooked tofu should be kept in an airtight container if you plan to eat it soon. This is the best way to do it.
Choose a size that is appropriate for the quantity of cooked tofu you are storing because you want as little air as possible in the container.
If you cooked your tofu along with any other ingredients, the combination will only keep for as long as the dish’s shortest-lasting component.
For instance, the shelf life of a stir-fry made with a variety of vegetables, tofu, and eggs is only, on average, 3 days. Similar to this, you might only want to store your tofu for two days if you cooked it with rice.
How long can cooked tofu be left out in the open?
You should cover and refrigerate cooked tofu within two hours of cooking it, as you should with most foods.
The risk of bacterial contamination increases after two hours to the point where you need to start worrying about possible food poisoning.
This two-hour rule applies to both fresh tofu that has been exposed to air and tofu that has been cooked.
There are ways to extend the safety of the tofu past the 2-hour mark if you are desperate to bring a meal made with cooked tofu to work, a road trip, or another type of day-long adventure.
Here’s how to safely store tofu at room temperature:
- Allow your tofu to cool completely to room temperature after cooking.
- After allowing it to cool, move it right away to a container with an airtight seal.
- Before transferring the container to your lunch box or another form of transportation, if at all possible, chill the tofu for at least a few hours.
- Wait until you’re ready to eat your meal before breaking the seal on the container after it has cooled.
- If at all possible, store your food in one of these cooler totes or another insulated lunch bag.
- Even if it’s still sealed, try your best to avoid subjecting your carefully stored cooked tofu meal to sharp temperature changes.
Although they will lessen the likelihood of contamination, keep in mind that these procedures do not completely guarantee the safety of your tofu.
How to Spot Bad Cooked Tofu
Even though it can be very challenging to determine when cooked tofu has gone bad, there are a few warning signs you can watch out for.
You will be able to determine the other ingredients’ freshness and suitability for consumption more easily if your cooked tofu is combined with any other ingredients. Your tofu should be secure if you judge based on the mixture.
On its own, tofu doesn’t have a strong smell. It may be best to throw away the cooked tofu in its container and prepare a new meal if you notice a sour smell coming from it.
Tofu is naturally off-white or cream in color. If your tofu has been prepared simply, you might notice white or green/blue spots if mold is developing on it.
This is a sure sign that you should throw it away. On cooked tofu, however, it can be more challenging to visually spot signs of decay because it’s frequently seasoned, marinated, or fried, which changes the natural color.
Take a single bite of your tofu to test it out if you’re game. It has gone bad if you detect any sour flavor or signs of fermentation.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution and stop eating if you taste anything musty or otherwise strange rather than later regretting it.
Is Cooked Tofu Freezer-Friendly?
Tofu can be frozen in either a raw or cooked state. No matter the variety or method of preparation, tofu freezes well.
Tofu’s texture and consistency will change when frozen, but usually for the better.
Even if you pressed your tofu before cooking it, tofu that has been previously frozen will be denser and chewier than it was when it was first prepared.
Tofu that has been baked or fried in larger blocks is the best kind to freeze after it has been prepared.
How to freeze cooked tofu is described here:
- Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the floor that is big enough to fit all of your tofu pieces in one layer.
- Put a sheet of plastic wrap over that one.
- On top of the plastic wrap, arrange the individual tofu pieces in a single layer, side by side.
- Plastic wrap should be used to cover the entire collection of tofu.
- The preparation is finished by wrapping the tofu in aluminum foil and sealing it.
- Put the wrapped tofu on a flat surface, such as a baking sheet, and then put it in the freezer.
- You can remove the baking sheet after a couple of hours.
You might still be able to press a significant amount of water out of your cooked and frozen tofu when you’re ready to defrost and use it, which is advised.
Any dish you add it to will taste even better after it has thawed.
How long can tofu be frozen?
For up to 6 months, fresh tofu will remain in peak condition in your freezer. After being frozen, cooked tofu should be defrosted and used within three months.
Before putting your tofu in the freezer, it’s a good idea to label the package or container with the date so you can keep track of how long it has been there.
When freezing cooked tofu, it’s a good idea to write down the method of preparation so you’ll know exactly what to defrost when the time comes.
Related Issues
Can Tofu Scramble Be Freezed?
Tofu scramble can be frozen, but the quality will vary depending on what else you used to cook the tofu.
Transfer the tofu scramble to a Ziploc bag that can be frozen after it has completely cooled to room temperature. Before sealing and transferring the bag to your freezer, squeeze out as much air as you can.
Is Cooked Tofu Good Cold?
Tofu can be eaten cold after being cooked, but depending on how it was prepared, it might not taste as good. It is safe to eat as long as it was properly stored and wasn’t left out on the counter for an extended period of time.
Tofu can have a different texture when it is hot compared to cold, which is an intriguing way to get more variety from your tofu.
Is Tofu Prepared Yet?
To produce the finished product, the soybeans used to make tofu are cooked.
To make soy milk, soybeans must first be soaked and then boiled. The soy milk is heated once more and then used to create a solid brick by adding thickening agents. Tofu is essentially soy cheese.
The brick itself is not cooked, but the ingredients are, so it is not technically a raw food, unless you purchase smoked or other types of prepared tofu. On some raw food diets, it is acceptable but not strictly required.
Can You Eat Uncooked Tofu?
You can eat tofu raw or uncooked as long as it has been stored properly. Since the ingredients used to make tofu have already been cooked, they can be consumed without further processing.
However, as soon as the package is opened, the product’s sterile seal is compromised.
You must either cook the tofu before eating it, as is proper with any raw food item, or make sure that it stays well sealed and protected at all times to prevent food poisoning from exposure to airborne bacteria or any type of mold growth.
