Tofu isn’t made to be left in its package indefinitely. It’s designed to be pulled out and incorporated into a delicious recipe.
But sometimes, the blocks you get are a little too large, and you end up having some left over. You can’t just push the remainder into the opened package and shove it in your fridge.
You’ll need to find another way to preserve it. It’s not nearly as complicated as you might think, though. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to store opened tofu.
How to Store Opened Tofu
Locate a large enough Tupperware container or Ziploc bag.
Your first step is finding an appropriate container. A Tupperware container (or anything similar, like a Pyrex container) will do. If you don’t have anything like that, a large sealable plastic bag also works just fine.
All you need to do is make sure it’s the right size to store all of your leftover tofu at once. If you don’t have a container big enough for all the remaining tofu, you can certainly divide it up between smaller containers – it’s just a bit more of a hassle.
Related Article: How Long Does Tofu Last After Being Cooked?
Add enough water to the container to just barely cover the tofu, then keep it in your fridge.
Once you’ve selected your container, place the tofu inside it. Add fresh water to the tofu, until the water just covers the top of it.
Don’t fill the bag or container, or leave only a tiny layer on the bottom. You want the block of tofu to be completely submerged in the water.
Place the water-covered tofu in the fridge. Voila – you’ve successfully stored your tofu!
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Every day you don’t uses the tofu, empty the water and add fresh water.
Your job isn’t done just because you’ve closed the fridge door, though. There’s a little bit of daily maintenance you’ll need to do every single day you don’t eat the tofu.
If another day has passed where you don’t eat the tofu, pull it out. Empty the old water out and add fresh water to the container, then place it back in fridge.
These measures will prevent your tofu from going bad for as long as possible.
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How Long Can You Keep Opened Tofu?
Storing tofu with the steps we’ve described above buys you a little more time. Once stored properly, you just need to use it up within the next 3-7 days.
That should give you plenty of time to plan out your next tofu meal or snack. Not sure what to make with your leftovers?
We recommend giving the below vegan tofu bits recipe a try. It’s perfect for those days where you’re just craving a little comfort food.
Pay Attention to Whether or Not the Tofu Has Gone Bad
The longer you keep your tofu, the greater the risk of it going bad. As you check on it daily to put in fresh water, make sure you take a look at it to ensure it’s still good.
You can tell if tofu has gone bad because it will have a sour smell, kind of like dirty socks. You may also see a greenish mold growing on the surface.
If you notice those signs, toss out your tofu. Don’t risk eating it.
Further Reading: Is Tofu Raw?
Wrap Up
Storing different kinds of foods correctly can be difficult to figure out. Every food has its own ideal storage conditions. The only thing that can be generally said is that most foods, including tofu, need to be refrigerated once they’ve been opened.
By properly storing your leftover tofu in the fridge, you’re able to guarantee that you have more time to use it up.
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Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!