The whole point of freezing is to preserve food and make it last longer than it would in the fridge or in your pantry. However, not all food freezes well, so does tofu? You may be surprised to learn that it does.
In fact, freezing enhances tofu. In this article, we will look at how to freeze tofu and the benefits of freezing it.
Does Freezing Tofu Allow it to Absorb Marinades Better?
The simple answer is yes and you can freeze tofu just for this purpose, not just for extending its shelf life. These are the benefits of freezing tofu:
- A chewier texture. If you prefer to have a chewy texture, then freezing is the way to go. It will also firm up and won’t be so slippery. However, if you do like the smooth texture of tofu, this isn’t for you.
- Absorbs the flavors of marinades. If you don’t freeze tofu first, you will find that it doesn’t absorb marinades well. The whole character of tofu changes when you freeze and defrost it, and you can make delicious dishes with it. Use it as a meat substitute in stews and casseroles or in stir-fries. It can be fried or baked and added to salads. Put the cubes on skewers alternating with vegetables and barbecue. You can use any number of different marinades to create completely different dishes. Chinese (see also ‘Can You Freeze Chinese Takeaway?‘) and Asian food goes well with marinades for example.
How do you Freeze Tofu?
It’s not at all difficult to freeze tofu and doesn’t take long. There are different types of tofu; firm, extra-firm, and silken, and all freeze well.
The first step is to cut the tofu into cubes. You can choose what size you want. It all depends what you are using the tofu in. Then put the cubes onto a baking sheet and freeze solid. You will want to ensure that the cubes aren’t touching each other as you don’t want them to stick together.
Once they have frozen, put them into an airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure that you get all the air out of the bag if that is what you are using. If you don’t, freezer burn can occur. The food will dehydrate and discolor. It won’t be enjoyable to eat although it isn’t detrimental to your health.
Once you have done this, put the container or bag in the freezer. You should be able to remove just as many cubes as you need if you have ensured that they don’t freeze together.
