How Long Does Tofu Last in the Fridge? | America's Test Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does Tofu Last in the Fridge? | America's Test Kitchen? ›

The samples without any liquid lasted only four to six days. We don't recommend storing tofu in salted water: Although these samples stayed fresh for two weeks, they also picked up a noticeable salty flavor almost immediately.

If it darkens in color, begins to smell, or feels slimy, it should be thrown away. Bottom line: Open packages of tofu are good in the fridge for up to five days, provided you change the water daily.

Use all your senses to tell if a food has gone bad by looking, touching and smelling the tofu. Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor.

In general, unopened tofu that's still sealed inside its packaging will stay fresh for two to three months past the date written on it — and for four to six months if it's kept in the freezer (more on this later).

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 tofu's freshness.

Yes, you can eat tofu raw tofu.

drain off excess liquids, wash it with clean water, and. store it properly in the refrigerator to prevent contamination with germs.

Once you have marinated your tofu, you can keep it in the fridge for two to three days before cooking. For best results, we recommend marinating your tofu overnight and cooking the next day. If you have the time, cook your tofu as soon as it's marinated.

Storing tofu

Change the water daily and use the tofu within a week. As with any perishable food, check the “best used by” date on the package. Tofu that turns “pinkish” is spoiled and should be thrown out.

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

As you can see from the image above, the frozen tofu color is a bit more yellow. Don't worry, this is totally normal, it's just what happens when the soy protein freezes.

Can I eat tofu 7 days after opening? ›

Fortunately, the answer is fairly straightforward. In general, opened, uncooked tofu is good for up to five days when stored correctly.

Tofu, a soy-based product, should be handled like a perishable dairy product and should be safe for a week in the refrigerator. If not used during that time, it can be safely frozen. Drain the excess water and wrap well before freezing.

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal. Just ONE bacterium, doubling every 20 minutes, can grow to over 2,097,152 bacteria in 7 hours!

We've always stored tofu in water. But we spoke to an artisanal tofu maker who recommended changing the water daily. We also read that storing it in lightly salted water is the best method.

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

You can leave tofu whole in its original packaging or you can cut into desired shapes (slices or cubes) and place into a freezer bag. Expel air out of the bag and label. Keep tofu frozen up to 3 months and when ready to use, pop in the fridge for 24 hours to defrost.