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How Long Can Tofu Stay In The Fridge
Tofu can last in the refrigerator for weeks if remain unopened. Once opened, you can keep it in the fridge for 3 to 5 days if stored properly. When you put the tofu into the refrigerator, it will still remain suitable for consumption for around 2 or three months after the sell-by date.
How You Store Tofu, whether you keep your tofu at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen. Here, I am going to explain how you should store your tofu to ensure that it retains good quality for as long as mentioned in Tofu Its Lifespan.
When storing baked tofu properly in the refrigerator, you can use it for up to five days after cooking. If tofu has been stored correctly, you will still be able to use it in your dishes, even when its “use” or “sell” by dates are past. Unopened tofu may keep refrigerated for approximately 5 to 7 days past the sell-by date on the package, as long as it has been stored correctly.
As long as tofu is stored correctly and unopened, it should be good for at least two months after its manufacture date. In general, tofu lasts for as long as it is not opened, provided that you check the shelf life date on the package.
Typically, tofu will last for 2-3 months past the manufacture date listed on the package. A package of fresh tofu will last 3-5 days past the date stamped in the packaging, but there are a lot of other things to take into consideration. The 4-5 days may differ depending on if you mixed cooked tofu into other foods, like noodles or sauces. Cooked tofu can keep for five days in the fridge or up to five months in the freezer.
Once the tofu is opened, whether it is shelf-stable or refrigerated, it needs to stay in the refrigerator and used within 3-5 days of opening, no matter what the best-by date is. Shelf-stable tofu, if left unopened, may be stored at room temperature for up to one good-by date. Opened, uncooked tofu should be kept at room temperature only for cooking, or less than 1 hour for eating.
If the block of raw tofu is not refrigerated, then you may just keep this unopened block of tofu in a dry area in a room temperature environment. Keeping your unopened tofu in the fridge should prolong its shelf life for as long as one week, which is recommended, however, if you are not planning on using your tofu anytime soon, the best way to store it is to place it in your freezer. When you place your tofu in the refrigerator, it should still be good to consume about two or three months after its expiration date, provided that you never open the package. An unopened package of tofu can be stored safely in the fridge for several months, but after opening, it deteriorates far faster.
| Types | Shelf Life |
| Opened | 3-5 days |
| Unopened | 2-3 months |
| Smashed | 2-3 days |
You can still freeze cooked tofu if you wish, and even that will keep 3-5 months once opened from the original package. Cooked tofu lasts about 4 – 5 days, when stored in a refrigerator at about 40F or lower. Unopened tofu, cooked tofu, or tofu scraps only last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator, so if you do not plan on eating all the unopened tofu right away, you should consider putting any scraps into the freezer for later.
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You can freeze tofu smashed, however, the quality will depend on what extra ingredients you have cooked your tofu with. Generally, tofu used in a dish is freezer-friendly, however, the additional ingredients that you add might not freeze as well. If that is the case, tofu stir-fries may need to be stored refrigerated in a sealed container rather than frozen.
Tofu may also be frozen to make sure that it will last longer, provided the tofu is stored in an airtight container and is allowed to thaw before cooking. Tofu, when stored in a sealed container or an airtight bag in a freezer, can last for up to 6 months in a freezer with no risk of spoilage.
Unopened frozen tofu can last for many months or even years in the freezer, however, the recommended maximum freeze-time for tofu is 3-4 months in order to minimize the loss of flavour as much as possible. While, unopened, uncooked tofu on the other hand, can last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator with no risk of microbiological contamination if you keep your standards for safety. Cooked tofu can last for the same amount of time that is in the shelf life of the fastest-emerging ingredients of a recipe.
If tofu has been sitting in your pantry or fridge for any length of time, make sure you check for signs of deterioration so you do not have to suffer from the worst effects from eating expired tofu. If your tofu has been stored correctly in your fridge or freezer, and has passed the expiration date, it should be fine to eat, but be sure to check before starting cooking with it. Of course, if you are going to be keeping the tofu in the refrigerator, then it should be safe to eat for one week, and longer than that according to the dates.
The best way to store any kind of cooked tofu, if you plan on eating it soon, is to put it into a container that has an airtight seal. Gone is when you took that extra tofu out of the package, where it is sealed perfectly and sealed tight. That way, the tofu does not soak up any water, lose any of its baked, crunchy goodness, or pick up any undesirable flavors.
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You can freeze tofu to extend its shelf life, and this way you will not keep running to the grocery store to buy more every time you need it. You may find tofu outside the refrigerated section at a grocery store, which may lead to a bit of confusion when it comes to storing your tofu once you buy it, and especially once you cook it. If your tofu is located in the refrigerated section at the grocery store, then you should store tofu in your refrigerator at home as well. You can eat cooked tofu in the cold, although depending on how it is cooked, it might not be as good when it is cold as when reheated.
How do you know when tofu has gone bad?
According to TofuBud, once tofu has reached the end of its shelf life, it will start turning brown or tan and might even show signs of mold growth. On the other hand, bad tofu will develop a spicy and sour smell that will be pretty noticeable, whereas fresh tofu does not have any discernible fragrance. A bloated package should also be kept an eye out for.
How long can you keep uncooked tofu in the fridge?
In order to preserve the freshness of tofu, it must be stored in an airtight container with water once it has been opened. You can keep tofu in the refrigerator for three to five days if it has not been opened. The consistency of frozen tofu changes as it ages, although it can be stored for several months once it is frozen.
Does tofu go bad in the fridge?
Tofu purchased in an aseptic container on the grocery shelf can be stored until opened, and it must be refrigerated once opened and has a shelf life of 3-5 days. If you bought it in the refrigerator department of the grocery store, it should be kept chilled.