Thawed Tofu

by Penny Alba

Introduction

Yes, tofu can reach its expiration date and, hence, go bad. Once it does, its not recommended to consume the tofu as it can lead to you feeling ill, experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

How long is tofu good after thawing?

Once you have thawed the tofu, it is not a good idea to refreeze it again as it will already be exposed to oxygen, water, heat, and sunlight that may change its consistency and affect its freshness. If the tofu is already opened and is placed in the refrigerator, it can only last for 3 to 5 days.

How do you cook frozen thawed tofu?

Once youve frozen the tofu and youre ready to cook it, simply remove it from the packaging. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, gently slip in the tofu to the pot and boil (reduce the heat to a simmer) for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What happens when you freeze and thaw tofu?

Tofu is about 86 percent water; as it freezes, the ice crystals expand, pushing apart the protein network. When thawed, the water drains away, leaving the tofu with a spongy consistency that is highly absorbent. We experimented with freezing tofu in the test kitchen and quite liked the results.

How do you know if tofu is spoiled?

Expired tofu will turn from that signature creamy white color to tan or brown, says TofuBud, and it might even exhibit visible growths of mold. Also, whereas fresh tofu doesnt really have a detectable fragrance at all, bad tofu will develop a pungent sour smell. Also, keep an eye out for a bloated package.

How do you store thawed tofu?

Preserving leftover tofu that has been taken out of its original packaging is easy. 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 tofus freshness.

How long does uncooked tofu last in the fridge?

As a general rule, commercially sold refrigerated raw tofu will last for about two months in the refrigerator, assuming youve purchased it relatively soon after production. If this sounds like a long time, its because store-bought refrigerated tofu contains preservatives and is sold in sealed packages.

Do you defrost frozen tofu before cooking?

Since your frozen tofu is already cut into pieces, you can either throw the cubes or planks directly into what youre cooking or, if you dont want excess moisture (say youre planning to pan-fry, sear, or grill, or youre simply wary of diluting a broth), you can thaw them before using.

Does tofu have to be frozen?

If you like the smooth texture of tofu, then freezing isnt recommended, of course. But if you want it to firm up a bit to have a pleasant chew, plus absorb the flavors of marinades (which sometimes tofu doesnt do well), freezing it and then defrosting it before you use it really changes tofus character.

Can you eat frozen tofu raw?

While tofu comes in a variety of textures ” silken, firm, and extra firm ” technically any of them can be eaten raw.

Conclusion

Freezing tofu causes the water trapped inside tofu to expand, which enlarges these pores. Once you thaw frozen tofu, you end up with a coarser tofu texture that contains bigger holes (its as if Cheddar transformed into Swiss cheese).

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