Can You Freeze Tempeh?: Tempeh is a fermented soy-based food that is easy to digest and offers you a great alternative when you’re craving the meaty texture. Tempeh is not only delicious but it is also a great source of protein. Tempeh has a meaty, firm texture, and it goes great in anything from sandwiches to stir-fries to acting like a steak. It also comes with a nutty flavor.
But what happens when you have too much tempeh? Can you freeze it? What’s the shelf life of tempeh? Does it go bad? Is it ok to eat raw tempeh after freezing? Let’s find out! In this article, we will take a closer look at freezing tempeh so you can determine if it is a good option for your diet.
- Can You Freeze Tempeh Before Cooking?
- How to Freeze Tempeh?
- How Long Can Tempeh Be Frozen?
- How to Thaw Tempeh?
- How to Tell if Tempeh is Bad?
- Interesting facts about Tempeh
- FAQs on Can You Freeze Tempeh After Cooking?
Can You Freeze Tempeh?
Yes, you can surely freeze tempeh. Freezing tempeh can help you save some money and time. Both cooked and uncooked tempeh stand well to freezing. Tempeh tends to have a better texture when reheated after being frozen. Freezing also improves the flavor of tempeh. During thawing, you even get the opportunity to marinate the tempeh in your favorite dip or sauce.
Do you know freezing helps improve the flavor of soybeans? By freezing the tempeh, you are locking in all that great protein and nutrients for later use. Freezing tempeh is also considered a great way of saving money. If you buy tempeh in bulk, you can simply freeze what you don’t use instead of throwing it out. But how do you freeze tempeh? You have a few choices on how you prefer to freeze it. Read on to find out the best way to freeze tempeh.
How to Freeze Tempeh?
When you wish to freeze your tempeh, look for the following options: You can freeze tempeh before or after cooking it.
Steps to Freeze Tempeh Before Cooking
- If you wish to freeze tempeh before cooking it, simply store it in its original packaging until you need it. If the tempeh packet has already been opened, wrap it tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap before freezing. Just ensure that no parts are exposed to the air.
- Suck out as much air as possible before sealing the tempeh freezer bag. Then, place the package in a freezer bag and attach the label and date.
- You could also divide your tempeh into smaller portions for individual servings before freezing. Then, you can only take out the serving size you need at a later date.
Steps to Freeze Cooked Tempeh
Follow the below steps if you have cooked up all your tempeh in one go and then wish to freeze the cooked dish for later consumption:
- Cook a tempeh dish as per your preference and let it cool down completely.
- Then, divide the tempeh dish into individual serving sizes and place it in appropriate-sized freezer-safe containers.
- Finally, seal the containers completely, label and date them, and put them in the freezer.
The best way to freeze tempeh and help it retain its flavor is by steaming it over boiling water before freezing. This process is important because it cooks the soybeans and helps remove some of their natural bitterness.
How Long Can You Freeze Tempeh?
Cooked or uncooked frozen tempeh will keep well for approximately 3 to 4 months in the freezer.
| Tempeh | Shelf life |
| In freezer | 3 to 4 months |
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How to Thaw Tempeh?
When you wish to eat the tempeh, simply go through the following thawing steps:
Defrosting Uncooked Frozen Tempeh:
- To use frozen tempeh that was kept uncooked, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw in the fridge. Then, unwrap the frozen tempeh and use it in your favorite recipe.
- When you are ready to cook a tempeh dish, heat a skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add cooking oil until it spreads across the pan in an even layer. Add your tempeh and sauté it for 10 minutes to warm it up; occasionally stir it so that it doesn’t burn.
Thawing Cooked Frozen Tempeh:
- To use frozen cooked tempeh, remove the tempeh dish from the freezer and defrost it in the fridge or microwave. Keep leftovers refrigerated for up to 48 hours.
- You can simply reheat a frozen tempeh dish using your preferred method and enjoy.
Remember, it is not a good idea to refreeze previously frozen tempeh dishes. So once opened, consume the frozen tempeh dish as soon as possible.
How to Tell if Tempeh is Bad? – Does Tempeh Go Bad?
Yes, tempeh goes bad. If stored properly in the freezer, your tempeh can be kept good for a few months. Look for the following signs of spoilage to determine if your tempeh is edible or not :
- Mold Growth: The first thing to look for when checking the spoilage of tempeh is mold. If there’s a layer of mold on your tempeh dish, it’s time to discard it.
- Smell test: This should go without saying, but if the tempeh smells strange or sour, throw it out. Tempeh dishes shouldn’t have any strange smells. A strong and sour odor emanating from tempeh is a solid sign of spoilage.
- Discoloration: Another effective way to spot spoilage is to look for any changes to the color of your tempeh. We know that this is easier said than done, as grey spots can usually be found on the surface of tempeh. However, if you see any black spots or white fuzz on the top, dump it. If there are any dark spots, the tempeh is not edible.
- Changes in Texture: Good tempeh is firm to the touch. Feel its texture, as any changes to it may be a sign of spoilage. If your tempeh has become mushy, it has most likely gone bad.
- Slimy Liquids: If the tempeh has any slime on it, avoid consuming it. In most cases, this slimy liquid will also be putrid and rancid, which is a sure sign of the spoilage of tempeh.
Tempeh that is packaged without preservatives will not last as long as the factory-made one, and it is harder to tell when it goes bad. So keep checking for the above-mentioned signs of spoilage to stay updated on the quality of your tempeh.
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Interesting Facts About Tempeh
Tempeh is very healthy, and here are a few interesting reasons that will excite you to keep plenty of it on hand:
- Tempeh is incredibly nutritious. Its impressive nutrient profile clearly shows how densely packed tempeh is with high levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- In comparison to all the vegan alternatives to meat, tempeh has been shown to have the highest protein content. At the same time, tempeh contains an incredibly low amount of sodium.
- Moreover, tempeh is pretty low in carbs and calories and still provides you with a great source of calcium.
FAQs on Can I Freeze Tempeh Cooked or Uncooked?
1. Will Freezing Tempeh Kill the Probiotics?
No, freezing tempeh will not kill the majority of the probiotics. Like freezing yogurt starters, the majority of the probiotics in tempeh will simply go into a resting state when frozen. These will automatically “wake up” when warmed.
2. Can You Eat Tempeh Raw If It Has Been Frozen?
Nope, eating raw tempeh is never a good idea. There is no nutritional benefit to eating tempeh raw; moreover, this involves the risk of the wrong microorganisms getting inside you. If you want to avoid using cooking oils with tempeh, you can opt for steaming or use an air fryer.
3. How can I use my tempeh after defrosting?
You can steam, fry, or grill the tempeh and use it in soups or stews, in place of ground meat, or eat it on its own. Marinades can also be used to impart flavor as tempeh does not have a strong flavor on its own. You can simply fry slices of tempeh in a pan and dip them in your favorite dipping sauce.
4. Can you freeze cooked tempeh?
Yes, you can freeze cooked tempeh.
Wrapping Up
Tempeh provides a versatile, healthy, and cost-effective soy-based diet. Needless to say, this vegan-friendly food is something you will want to have in your home at all times. Thus, for a long shelf life, you seriously need to consider storing tempeh in your freezer. Freezing tempeh is a step in the right direction.
Follow the mentioned instructions, and tips on freezing & defrosting tempeh given in this guide i.e., can you freeze tempeh and enjoy this healthy delicacy whenever you want? Do refer to our main website and find out other blogs with amazing content on food freezing & thawing techniques to stop food wastage.