Can You Freeze Tofu?
If you wish to have a perfect vegan source of protein, then rely on tofu. It will do this job perfectly and give you the requisite amount of protein intake regularly. Do I know a method to freeze tofu? Yes, I do and you will find this method in the further sections of this blog.
Tofu is one food item that freezes so well that you can keep it in the freezer and forget about it for 3 months straight. Unlike other frozen foods, tofu can effectively retain its protein content and still taste best in recipes.
You can freeze tofu and use it in different recipes where you need to soak it in sauces or other dips. Tofu provides you with essential nutrients that will help you reduce any symptoms related to menopause.
Also, tofu is a great source of antioxidants and amino acids. It is a food item that essentially regulates the gut pH and helps to alleviate the chances of hyperacidity. Thus, you can easily prepare tofu at home and freeze it for later use.
Steps to Freeze Tofu
If you wish to use your extra block of firm tofu in the future, then the best way to store tofu is to freeze it. Be it any variety of tofu like the super firm tofu or one you are cooking in your kitchen; it will freeze in the same manner.
Freezing tofu will help you to extend its shelf life. Follow these steps to freeze tofu in your kitchen!
1. Cut whole blocks of tofu into thick slices or chunks. If you are in a rush, then you can avoid chopping tofu and freeze it as a whole block as well.
2. Lay 2 kitchen towels on your counter and place the tofu slices/chunks/block on them. Then, cover your tofu with another layer of kitchen towels. Now place a heavy weight on the towels so that the tofu is sufficiently pressed to remove its excess moisture. If you don’t have a suitable weight option then gently press the tofu between the towels with your hands.
3. Once the tofu is sufficiently dry, remove it from the towels and shift it to clear airtight bags or containers. Remove any excess air in the bag and shift the bag to the freezer for final freeze.
That’s all you have to do to freeze tofu in a short time!
Uses of Frozen Tofu
Freezing tofu creates the exact softness in it that is perfect for multiple recipes. Here’s a list of recipes that you can try with frozen tofu while you are cooking in your kitchen!
1. Tofu Smoothie
Who says you can prepare smoothies only from yogurt and milk? We say you can prepare one using frozen tofu! The texture of your smoothie will change dramatically giving you an extra soft and creamy smoothie. Blend in fruits or berries of your choice with tofu chunks, maple syrup, milk, and some ice. And you will get a perfect appetizer right away.
2. Tofu Scramble
To all the vegetarians out there, we have an amazing recipe for you to try. Get hold of your tofu from the freezer and saute it with some veggies of your choice. Mix in herbs as you like and serve while it’s still warm. It perfectly replaces the famous egg scramble and serves as a great meal option.
3. Fried Tofu
If you are craving some crispy junk food but don’t wish to eat any potatoes, then this recipe might help you. Deep-fry tofu and serve it with different spicy sauces. It will give you the same crunch that you will be craving.
For How Long Can You Freeze Tofu?
Frozen tofu lasts up to six months in the freezer and you can use it anywhere between. Frozen tofu will last up to this duration as when you remove its moisture it will become firm. This firm texture of tofu allows it to freeze well in the freezer.
Moreover, when you freeze tofu you are increasing the chances for protein molecules in it to expand and crystallize. Thus, now you know that thawed frozen tofu has more protein content than fresh ones. Fresh tofu has nearly 85% of water content in it.
Honestly speaking, you can directly use tofu from the freezer in your recipes if you are preparing smoothies. However, if your recipe demands a slightly spongy version of tofu then remove the required amount from the freezer.
Place it in another clean container and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. The next morning you can drain excess moisture from the tofu and use it in your food as per your need.
Tips for Cooking Tofu at Home
Freezing your food, especially something like tofu is a better way to retain its original texture and flavor. However, if you are cooking tofu at home then these smart tricks will help you in the long run.
1. It is perfectly safe to stick a package of homemade tofu in a freezer-safe bag before freezing. You can also add a label to the package so that you can get an idea of which one is the store-bought one and which is the homemade one.
2. When you freeze homemade tofu then thawed drained tofu will taste better in the recipe. It is because there might be some chance that moisture inside the tofu freezes into ice crystals as well.
3. When preparing tofu always remember not to burn the soy milk or else it will leave a strong burnt aroma to the tofu.
Tips to Follow When You Freeze
1. If you have a sealed pack of tofu then simply put the entire unopened package of tofu in the freezer. There’s no need to remove it for draining excess moisture or any other process.
2. You honestly should be freezing tofu before using it in any recipes that require marinades. The soft and spongy texture of tofu takes up all the sauces in a better way than the firm one.
3. While freezing, you must remember that tofu might change its color to yellow because of the crystallization phenomenon.
4. Always try to freeze tofu in an airtight bag as you can squeeze excess air from it easily.
Tofu will stay good for three months and frozen-thawed tofu tastes good whether you eat it raw or cook it. Thus, you can follow the tips given above and enjoy freezing your firm food. If you are wondering what gifts you can give to your relatives during the festive season, maybe you can try a frozen tofu recipe!