Tofu is a versatile staple food that can be eaten in various ways. It can be consumed raw, fried, baked, or boiled. Tofu is a great source of protein, calcium, and iron. It’s also a very versatile staple in many Asian cuisines. Tofu can be eaten raw or cooked, as curry, stir-fry, soup, or salads. It can replace meat in stir-fries and wraps for a soy-based meal that’s free from cholesterol and high in protein.
Therefore, it is important to know how to keep the tofu fresh and use it more often.
Does Tofu Go Bad?
Yes, tofu does go bad. There are a couple of causes for tofu to go bad such as being exposed to light, heat, or humidity. But the most common is that it has gone bad due to the texture turning soft and mushy.
Tofu is one of those foods that can easily turn toxic or go bad. This is mainly because it contains protein which you have to be very careful when storing in order to avoid cross-contamination with other food items in your fridge or freezer.
How Long Does Tofu Last?
Tofu is a food that can last for several months if it’s stored properly.
For unopened tofu, it will last for about 4 months in the refrigerator. Once it’s opened, the tofu generally will stay fresh for 4 to 5 days.
After that time, tofu will start to deteriorate in quality. You will notice that the tofu will become soft and have a loss in flavor.
To keep them fresh longer, you can store tofu in the freezer. Fresh and cooked tofu can be frozen. Frozen tofu will last for about 4 to 6 months.
How to Store Tofu
The key is to store the tofu in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Generally, you should wrap the tofu tightly in a clean cloth or paper towel and place this on top of a plate. This will help filter out extra moisture from the tofu which would otherwise spoil it quickly.
If you need to keep the tofu fresh longer, consider freezing the tofu. If the package of tofu has not been opened, you’ll need to transfer them to an airtight container. Freezing the tofu in its original package will cause the package the break due to the water expanding during freezing.
Once the tofu is in the airtight container, secure the lid to the container tight, label it with the date of freezing, and place it into the freezer.
How to Tell If Tofu Is Bad?
Tofu is a protein made from soybeans that are great for people with soy allergies. However, when you buy tofu, it’s important to know how to tell if it’s bad so you can make sure it doesn’t go bad in your refrigerator.
There are a few signs that your tofu might be spoiled and needs to be thrown away:
-It smells off or rancid.
-It’s been in the refrigerator for more than two weeks.
-The water has turned dark.
-The tofu has a slimy or sticky surface.
Some signs to tell if tofu has gone bad are a slimy texture on the surface, soft squishy texture when pressed, an unpleasant smell, and off-color coloring. These are bad signs to look out for because they can indicate spoilage or food poisoning.
How To Keep Tofu Fresh Longer
We’ve all been there. You just bought a big bag of tofu and now you’re looking for ways to keep it fresh longer. Not only does this skill help save you money, but it also saves the environment- less plastic is used for packaging and more space is saved in your fridge.
Over time, tofu will go bad if you are not careful with the way you store it. Here are some tricks to make sure that your tofu lasts longer!
A few tips that will help you preserve the freshness of your tofu:
1) Keep the airtight lid on your container tightly sealed.
2) Store tofu in your refrigerator.
3) Do not buy tofu more than two days before you need it to avoid spoilage from moisture from the air and light exposure.
Related Questions
Can you get sick from eating expired tofu?
Yes, you can get sick from eating expired tofu. The bacteria in the spoiled tofu break down the proteins and make them toxic to humans. The toxins cause a range of health problems such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea. The effects of the toxin are particularly severe if you eat a large amount of spoiled tofu at once.