Tofu is food that’s made from soybeans. This food is soft in texture, which makes them versatile and can be used in various dishes. If you cooked tofu as part of a dish and have leftovers, you’ll probably be wondering if you can freeze them.
So, can you freeze cooked tofu? Yes, you can freeze cooked tofu. When tofu is cooked, it will have a lot of moisture in it. This will alter the taste and color of the tofu slightly. Properly stored, cooked tofu will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Does Cooked Tofu Freeze Well?
Cooked tofu freezes well, but it may not be for everyone. Due to the high amount of moisture that’s in the tofu when it’s cooked, the taste and color of it will change slightly.
If you’re planning to eat them fresh, it may not be something you should freeze.
On the other hand, if you’re going to add them to a salad or part of a dish, freezing cooked tofu won’t matter. Since you’ll be mixing other ingredients with tofu, you won’t be able to tell the difference.
How To Freeze Cooked Tofu
When it comes to freezing cooked tofu, the texture and taste will change a little. There’s no way around this due to the high moisture content in the tofu.
If you don’t mind the quality of the tofu will be changed a bit, you can continue to freeze them. Below are the steps to freezing cooked tofu:
Cooling Down
If you have just made some tofu, whether it’s part of a meal or tofu itself, do not put them straight into the freezer. Let it cool down to room temperature first. Putting tofu in the freezer while it’s still warm will cause condensation in the container. This will cause the moisture to get soaked into the tofu which will make them soggy.
Pack It
To store cooked tofu, you can use an airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure it is freezer-safe. If not, it won’t be able to withstand the freezing temperature and will break.
Place the tofu into the container or bag. It’s a good idea to portion them, so you can remove the amount you need without having any leftovers. You won’t be able to refreeze them.
Seal It
For an airtight container, check the seal on the lid to make sure there are no damages. If there are none, secure the lid to the container.
For a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as you can from it. You can also use a straw to draw the excess air from the bag. Then seal it tightly.
Label and Freezing
With a marker, write the date of freezing on the bag or container. Then place them into the freezer.
How to Know if Frozen Cooked Tofu Has Spoiled
Cooked tofu, like any other food, can spoil while it’s stored in the freezer. This can be from air leaked into the container, or it’s stored in the freezer for a prolonged period of time.
For that reason, it’s a good idea to know what spoiled tofu is like:
The smell of the tofu. Spoiled tofu will give off a bad rotten smell. You’ll notice it right away once you’ve opened the bag or container. If it smells bad, throw it out.
The appearance of the tofu. Look at the cooked tofu for any signs of molds or if it becomes watery. If you notice anything like this, toss the entire content of tofu away.
How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Tofu?
Cooked tofu can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. After that, you’ll still be able to eat them safely, but the quality of it will start to deteriorate. When it thaws, you’ll notice that the tofu will be very soggy and lose a lot of the flavor.
To make sure the cooked tofu taste at the best quality, try consuming them as soon as you can.
How Do You Defrost Cooked Tofu?
The best way to defrost cooked tofu is in the fridge. This will allow them to thaw evenly throughout. Also, the texture and taste won’t be affected much.
Once it’s thawed, you can reheat the cooked tofu in a skillet or microwave.
Can You Refreeze Cooked Tofu?
When it comes to tofu, especially when it’s cooked, it’s not recommended to refreeze them. Doing so will alter the quality of the tofu. The texture will become soggy and will lose a lot of its flavor that you won’t enjoy eating at all.
To prevent having to refreeze cooked tofu, it’s a good idea to portion them. This way, you only need to remove the amount of tofu that you need without having any leftovers.
Other Questions about Cooked Tofu
Can you freeze fried tofu?
Yes, you can freeze fried tofu. Fried tofu actually freeze much better than cooked tofu. The reason is that fried tofu has less water content and so it doesn’t change texture or taste when it’s stored in the freezer.
Can you freeze tofu soup?
Yes, you can freeze tofu soup. Allow the soup to cool down to room temperature before storing them in the freezer. When pouring the soup into the container, leave a small gap at the top. This will allow the soup to expand during freezing. Secure the lid on the container and place it into the freezer. Properly stored, tofu soup will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.