How Long Does Cooked Tofu Last? Can Tofu Go Bad? (Updated 2024)

Name: How Long Does Cooked Tofu Last
Cuisine: Meal
Ingredients: Tofu; Plastic wrap; Food storage container

Updated Feb 2, 2023Recipe Marker

Are you wondering how long does cooked tofu last? Keep reading; we’re going to discuss it in this article.

It’s safe to say that no one likes spoiled tofu or any spoiled food. But then, tofu has a distinct soy taste that does kind of resemble spoiled food—only mild, sweet, and nutty.

However, you can easily tell when this food has gone bad. The taste isn’t fresh and might seem sour or bitter.

Read on to find out more about cooked, uncooked, and spoiled tofu.

We will also be discussing the best storage options to extend the life of cooked tofu and the origin of tofu.

Can Tofu Go Bad? How Long Does Cooked Tofu Last?

Most food goes bad after a while, especially plant-based items like tofu. Without proper storage and handling, this food can easily go bad.

When uncooked, you’re looking at a maximum of five months’ shelf life before it goes bad.

A lot of factors affect this timeline, especially if you’re storing the tofu in the refrigerator.

For cooked tofu, you’re only looking at a few days, a maximum of six days when water is drained and it’s refrigerated.

Make sure the container is spotless and dry before you transfer the cooked tofu.

For opened tofu, make sure to drain the water upon opening the package; wrap the tofu in plastic, put it in a container, then store it in the refrigerator.

This tofu is good for about one to two months.

How to Tell If Tofu Is Bad

It’s easy to tell if tofu is bad based on its appearance and smell. Unlike fresh tofu’s aroma, you’ll get a sour smell, indicating the food has gone bad.

In addition to the weird sour smell, also inspect the color.

It should be white with texture, not dark or beige.

If it appears brownish, you know what to do: dispose of the tofu immediately.

Spoiled tofu is by no means inedible, so don’t try to experiment and use different spices to bring it back.

Eating spoiled tofu can only cause food poisoning, and you definitely want to avoid that.

Defrosting Tofu

If you’ve frozen your tofu, you’ll want to follow the proper procedure to defrost it. You don’t want to expose the food to germs.

To speed up the defrosting process, you can place the tofu container in a pan of hot water.

Another option is to place the frozen tofu in a microwave-proof dish and microwave it for roughly 60 seconds.

Expect that the texture will change to slightly soggy.

However, frozen cooked tofu can be firmer and chewier than it was before. It’s easy to defrost, just let it sit inside the fridge.

Before you eat the tofu, inspect its appearance and smell.

Sour-like aromas and a brownish appearance are indications the cooked tofu has gone bad.

Never risk it, simply toss the food in the trash.

History of Tofu

The first recorded history of tofu was during the Chinese Han Dynasty around 2,000 years ago.

Ancient stories say Prince Liu An of Anhui province invented tofu production techniques that were passed on to nearby provinces.

There are different versions of the tale, with Prince An accidentally creating tofu while producing an elixir of immortality.

Other stories also claim the prince invented the plant-based dish to provide a consumable source of nutrition for his grandmother.

However, debates surround this theory as the Chinese people aren’t in the business of raising animals for milk.

It was Mongols who had the knowledge about milk-bearing animals for survival, hence, the advantage in inventing something out of the milk.

The process of making tofu may come from the Mongols and was later passed on to their Chinese neighbors.

Finally, the Chinese introduced the tofu production technique to the Japanese in the Nara period in 710.

Looking back, the rich history of tofu is marvelous and helped create the edible food we enjoy today.

Not only is tofu filling, but also nutritious and tasty.

Health Benefits of Tofu

The best source of protein for vegetarians and vegans is tofu. Since it’s plant-based, you can indulge in it guilt-free.

It contains high amounts of protein, amino acids, iron, calcium, vitamin B1, magnesium, zinc, and copper.

Conclusion

Tofu is a highly nutritious and tasty food you can add to a variety of recipes.

It adds a distinct taste of soy to meals and can keep your family healthy and strong.

Just follow these tips for storing cooked and uncooked tofu to extend its shelf life.

Now that you know the answer to “how long does cooked tofu last?” be sure to follow the guidelines mentioned above to keep your family healthy.

Print