Tofu is one of those foods that’s amazingly versatile. What’s more, it’s a brilliant source of protein and, like tempeh, it’s a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids needed by the human body. But, what if you have a bit of cooked tofu left over from the night before? Can you reheat it?
It’s safe to reheat tofu on the hob, back in the oven, and even in the microwave. While you can eat it safely after reheating, it’s how you cook and prepare it that matters.
What exactly is tofu?
Tofu, which is also known as beancurd, is made from soybeans. The beans are soaked, ground and boiled to make soy milk. Next, a coagulant (such as calcium sulfate or magnesium chloride) is added to the soy milk, causing the proteins to curdle and form solid curds. These curds are then pressed into blocks to remove excess liquid, resulting in tofu.
This is a bit of an ancient treat – it originated in China over 2,000 years ago and has since become a staple in many Asian cuisines.
In many ways, tofu is the go to vegan chicken replacement. Due to its mild flavour and ability to absorb the flavours of other ingredients it’s cooked with. It can also be cooked in various styles, making it perfect for something like crispy salt and pepper tofu or the ideal protein for your tofu curry!
However, if you tend to cook in batches (as we do) there’s likely to be occasions where you make a big batch and want to keep some for lunch or your evening meal for the next day or two.
That’s why it’s worth knowing you can reheat tofu without it causing you any ill harm (and it’ll still taste just as good!).
Ways you can reheat tofu (and it’ll still taste great)
It’s easy to assume you can just pop tofu in the microwave, and it’ll heat up nicely for lunch or dinner the next day – and you absolutely can! However, it’s not the only route to tasty leftover tofu success – let’s take a look at a couple of options you might want to try.
Reheat tofu in the oven
Reheating tofu in the oven is really easy, and in fact, many people feel it’s easier to control this way than whacking it in the microwave.
Oven-cooking tofu, even the day after you’ve made a quick meal, helps you get your cubed treats up to a piping temperature without risking a loss of flavour in the bargain.
To start, simply preheat your oven to around 180 degrees, or gas mark 4. While the oven’s heating up, take the time to spread your tofu cubes across a sheet of baking paper, spacing them out and coating them delicately with oil (so they cook through evenly).
Place your tofu in the oven and set a timer for around ten minutes. Take them out of the oven, switch off, and you should have hot, crispy tofu snacks ready to enjoy – almost as if you’ve just cooked them fresh.
Reheat tofu in a pan on the hob
If you’d prefer to get a pan out and cook your tofu on the hob instead, it’s just as easy to fill a frying pan with oil and let it sizzle away.
Fire up your hob to a medium temperature and apply a little cooking oil (olive oil tends to work best) to spread across the cooking surface.
When your pan gets up to full temperature, and the oil starts heating up, transfer your tofu cubes into the pan and let it warm through.
You should know it’s time to take your tofu off the hob when it goes nice and crispy again. This actually tends to be a favourite method of heating tofu back up for many people, particularly as it’s a great way of getting that crispy crunch back again!
Reheat tofu in the microwave
Reheating tofu in the microwave is super-quick and likely one of the easiest ways to get the dish back up to full temperature, but you do so at a real risk of losing some crispiness. Although if it’s something like a curry, then generally the microwave is a decent option.
Why reheating tofu in the microwave isn’t always the best idea
While reheating anything in the microwave is amazingly convenient, it comes at a real risk of losing a lot of texture that makes tofu so delicious in the first place.
If it’s your first time reheating tofu in the microwave, you may find you end up with a few chewy cubes that lose their consistency. The way to avoid this is to simply get precise with how you reheat them.
Cooking your tofu for too long in the microwave, or using too high a setting, can lead to chewy or floppy cubes that just aren’t appetising. Trust me, you’re going to want to take reheating pretty carefully for the best results.
For a better guarantee of crispier, tastier tofu, try and reheat them in the oven or in a pan. It’s just as easy, and there’s less of a risk of your cubes tasting bland or getting chewy.
Reheating tofu by steaming
If you have a steamer available, you can also bring flavour back out of your tofu the next day with only a few minutes of work. Or, you can use a sieve-and-pan method as I’ll take you through below.
To start steaming, boil some water up in a pan and bring over a sieve to sit inside. Once at a rolling boil, add your tofu cubes into the sieve and then place a pan lid over the top. While covered, you should only need to wait three or four minutes for your tofu to fully cook through again.
The downside to steaming tofu as a reheating method is that, like microwaving, you stand to lose some of the crispiness. What’s more, steaming your tofu may end up making it seriously sloppy and chewy – I’d only recommend it if you have no other options available!
Adding an extra ‘kick’ to reheated tofu
Reheating tofu in itself will provide you with a tasty, crispy dish – but what about adding something a little extra in the bargain? For example, many people choose to add a little spice or condiment to their tofu when heating back up.
You don’t have to be a big fan of really spicy foods, either. A little garlic powder or even a touch of pepper can really help to bring the flavours back out of your tofu long after you’ve originally prepared it.
Or, if you have spicier tastebuds, why not try a little chili pepper or some soy sauce? Paprika, in my experience, is absolutely delicious on crispy reheated tofu – I seriously suggest you give it a try.
Other ways to reuse reheated tofu
Reheated tofu can be amazingly versatile. You don’t have to enjoy it on its own!
For example, consider mixing up a fresh stir-fry and adding your tofu back to the dish. You can re-season your cubes and even cut them into smaller portions – you choose.
However, have you ever considered a tofu sandwich? As off as it might sound, crispy tofu makes for a brilliant sandwich or wrap filling. Simply add some sauce and your choice of salad for the best results.
In fact, tofu is a brilliant salad choice if you’re looking for protein in your greens. Simply dice up your reheated tofu and scatter it to a freshly tossed salad or open wrap.
You can also put reheated tofu to great use as part of rice dishes. As mentioned, tofu and stir-fry go together brilliantly – and that’s just as much with rice as with noodles. Throw in some veggies and add soy sauce for a fantastic reheated dish.
How should I store my tofu?
If you’d like to store your tofu for reheating the next day, the best plan of attack is to keep it airtight for up to five days in the fridge.
However, do also make sure to let your tofu cool completely before transferring it to a container for the fridge.
You can also freeze cooked tofu if you prefer. To do this, leave it to cool completely and arrange it on a flat tray, before transferring into the freezer. Then, move the tofu into a freezer-friendly bag and seal, letting the air out as you go. You’ll normally need to eat it within three months of freezing.
I’m the founder and editor-in-chief at GetVedgy. As a former meat eater who only recently made a commitment to veganism, I’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of years researching the subject. It felt like a good idea to share what I’ve learnt and help to answer the questions I’ve had that no doubt many others’ will also have.