It would seem that hardly a single day passes without someone mentioning tofu. Tofu seems to be everywhere these days, whether it’s because you went to a restaurant that serves tofu dishes or because you’ve read about the health advantages of this wonderful old cuisine. Either way, tofu is a tasty meal that dates back thousands of years.
Many home chefs in the United States are unaware of how long tofu may be stored since the product is still relatively new in most kitchens. This article will provide the answers to all of your pressing issues today, beginning with “How long does tofu stay fresh?” You will learn how to determine whether tofu has gone bad, how to increase the shelf life of your leftover tofu, and all the other little-known tofu food storage secrets that you need to know. A huge block of tofu may be converted into a variety of tasty recipes if it is properly kept.
Contents
How Long Does Tofu Last?
Imagine this: you went to the shop, got a block of unopened tofu, and now you don’t know what to do with it. What should you do? Have you ever found yourself in a position similar to this one? To many people in the United States, the question of how to keep tofu and its close relative soy milk fresh might cause them to scratch their heads. However, the truth is that tofu is a meal that can be stored very easily.
Bought Unrefrigerated
Think back to the time when you were shopping at the grocery store. Which came first, the block of tofu you have in the refrigerator or the one you found on the shelf? If it was not refrigerated, the block of unopened tofu may be stored in your pantry at room temperature and in a dry location as long as it has not been opened.
When you find out the answer to the question “how long does tofu last?” you will probably be astonished. Under the food storage conditions that were just explained, products of this sort normally keep for between three and five months. Because it is made to be stable when stored at room temperature, it has a natural extended shelf life. When in doubt, consult the “use by” and “best before” dates printed on the packaging.
Bought Refrigerated
Alternately, if you purchased your tofu from the refrigerated department of your grocery store, then you are required to put your tofu in the refrigerator when you get it home. To our pleasant surprise, the shelf life of this kind of tofu is far longer than that of other items that we purchase fresh (such as meat and fish). Tofu may be opened and used anywhere from two months to three months after it has been packaged. Always make it a point to read the “best by” and “use by” dates that are printed on the box, and use your intuition and instincts to determine whether or not the tofu has gone bad (more on that later).
Homemade Tofu
It’s possible that you’ve decided to tackle the apparently insurmountable (but really not that difficult) process of manufacturing your own tofu. If this is the case, your tofu will need to be stored in cool settings at all times (such in the refrigerator, for instance). Regrettably, it won’t even last you a full week before it begins to go bad before you can even get to enjoy it.
How to Extend the Shelf Life of Tofu
Let’s assume you’ve gotten as far as peeling back the cover of your unopened package of tofu and beginning to cook with it. You will have significantly decreased its longevity just by performing that one thing. This is due to the fact that tofu begins to deteriorate as soon as it is removed from the brine that it is stored in during production and comes into contact with the air. Here are several methods that you may lengthen the time it can be stored.
Cook, then Refrigerate
Tofu that has been cooked is simple to store. To keep the tofu fresh for up to five days, place it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. If you want the flavorful crunch that the remaining tofu has, you may reheat it in the microwave or on a frying pan to bring it back to its original state.
Store Covered in Water
By it comes to cost, the greatest bargains on tofu can often be found when purchasing a substantial block of the product. You won’t waste time or energy cooking the extra tofu since your recipe called for just a little amount of it. There is a food storage technique for “raw” opened tofu that not many people are aware of.
To begin, place the block in a container that will keep air out and cover it with ice water that has been filtered. This layer of liquid will maintain the tofu’s freshness for three to five days, and in some cases even a whole week. To ensure that the tofu stays fresh for as long as possible, remember to replace the water on a daily basis.
Freeze Tofu
Do not let your tofu to spoil even if you do not currently intend to consume the whole block right now. There is yet another food storage tip that will make it easier for you to store tofu and will also extend the amount of time that the tofu will remain edible.
To begin, remove the majority of the water content from the tofu using a tofu press (this gadget is incredibly easy to use, and will come in handy if you are serious about cooking killer tofu). The next step is to put your pressed block of tofu in a freezer bag after first wrapping it in plastic wrap. You could also wrap the tofu in a paper towel or a dishcloth that can be reused and then store it in a container that is designated for the freezer if you are attempting to reduce the amount of plastic in your house. You may put tofu in the freezer right now, and you won’t be able to consume it for another four to six months.
It is important to bear in mind that thawed frozen tofu will have a strange consistency, but this is in a positive manner. As a result of the widespread belief that frozen tofu has a consistency that is comparable to that of chicken flesh, a large number of recipes, including the one for tofu nuggets, instruct you to freeze the tofu first and then let it thaw before you begin cooking with it.
Does Tofu Go Bad? How Can You Tell If Tofu Is Bad?
Yes, tofu does go bad. Unfortunately, it is not possible to make tofu last indefinitely. To determine whether or not your tofu has gone bad, you do not necessarily need to follow the instructions on the labels provided by the manufacturer. Believe us when we say that you will be able to tell if your tofu is spoiled.
Tofu that has gone bad will often be darker in color, will have mold growth on the surface, and will have a putrid odor. It emits an unpleasant odor, one that is often comparable to that of rotten eggs. In addition, tofu is not the only soy food sold online that exhibits similar symptoms. For example, spoiled soy milk has a stench that’s hard to describe and may be rather offensive.
Can You Eat Tofu Past the “Best Before” Day?
Simply using your senses is all that is required to differentiate between excellent and terrible tofu. Therefore, as a general rule, you should be able to consume tofu even after the “best before” date has passed, provided that you do not have a really delicate stomach. Even if you tried, it’s quite unlikely that you’d be able to swallow stale tofu even if you wanted to.
This information about the product’s shelf life, coupled with the date it should “sell by,” is often only a guideline. After that point in time, the maker often cannot ensure that the product will have an appealing flavor. As long as it smells OK, though, there is no need to worry about its safety for consumption. Use your senses!
What About the “Use By” Date?
The date that says “use by” is more stringent than the date that says “sell by.” It is a matter of days before the expiry date, at most. Products that have passed their “sell by” date are OK to consume, but those with a “use by” date should not be consumed after their expiration date has passed.
This label is often placed on items that are considered to be more delicate. They may cause food poisoning if consumed after the expiration date has passed. Even while this often isn’t the case with tofu, you should nonetheless pay attention to the package of your tofu since various manufacturers propose different things to do with it.
FAQs
How do you know if tofu has gone bad?
Tofu that has passed its prime will often deepen in color to a tint that is between between tan and brown. On the surface of the tofu, you could also find indicators of decomposition, such as mold or discoloration, depending on its age. In addition, when tofu has been spoiled, it will often have a stench that may be described as either sour or putrid, but fresh tofu won’t smell like much of anything at all.
How long will tofu keep in the refrigerator?
Tofu may be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days if it has not been opened; however, tofu that has been opened has to be stored in an airtight container with water in order to maintain its shelf life. Tofu that has been frozen has a shelf life of many months; nevertheless, the texture of the dish is altered when it is frozen.
Is it OK to eat expired tofu?
This date should not be considered safe. Even after the expiration date has passed, refrigerated items should still be safe to consume so long as they are handled appropriately and stored at a temperature of at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) for a sufficient amount of time before being eaten (which is likely 3-4 days for something like tofu).
How long does tofu last in the fridge opened?
Tofu, regardless of whether it is of the shelf-stable form or not, may be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days after the container has been opened.
Can you eat tofu raw?
Although there are many different types of tofu, including silken, firm, and extremely firm, it is possible to consume any of them in their uncooked state. It is important to remove any extra moisture from the packing of raw tofu before eating it. In addition to this, it is essential to carefully preserve tofu so that any leftover pieces do not get contaminated with microorganisms.
Is it healthy to eat tofu?
Tofu is an excellent source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and the B vitamins. Additionally, it is a rich source of the minerals manganese, copper, and zinc. In addition, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes that tofu has antioxidant capabilities as well. [Citation needed]