Can tempeh be frozen?

Tempeh is one of those foods that would be impossible to pass up, especially if you are trying to improve your diet and start eating healthily.

Not only is it one of those beloved vegan options that serves as a healthy alternative to some favorite meaty snacks, but it can also hold its own as a tasty treat.

This vegan-friendly food has its roots in Indonesia. Since then, it has transcended and has become one of the most consumed soy products.

Of course, despite its growing popularity, there are still plenty of people who don’t know about tempeh. It goes without saying that this is something we must remedy.

However, people often wonder about long-term storage options for tempeh. After all, if you already know the wonders of tempeh, you’ll want to know how long you can keep it.

So can tempeh be frozen? Yes, you can freeze tempeh. Freezing is the best way to preserve it for a long period of time, but it must be done carefully so that it lasts as long as possible. You can freeze tempeh in a tightly closed bag or container for up to 6 months.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. This tempeh freezing guide will introduce you to everything you need to know about tempeh.

Not only will we present a more detailed look at tempeh and its nutritional content, but we’ll also go over the proper procedures for storing and freezing it.

How to store tempeh

Before anything else, you need to make sure that you buy the tempeh fresh. This will give you plenty of leeway to process it properly and cook it to your liking. At the same time, buying it fresh will mean it will last longer.

Since they’re incredibly flavorful and nutritious, it makes sense to always have tempeh on hand. Therefore, we will have to see the different ways to improve its longevity.

Here are two crucial tips to remember:

• Season your tempeh – Another useful way to improve the longevity of tempeh is to season it with garlic and salt. Remember that they work as natural preservatives and can help tempeh last longer than normal.
• Keep it in the fridge - If you put it in the fridge, you will be extending the natural shelf life of the tempeh. Keeping it at room temperature is extremely inadvisable and will only cause various problems later on. That being said, be sure to put it in a secure, closed plastic container before putting the tempeh in the fridge. When you do this, it should last you at least a week.

Of course, you can always freeze tempeh to keep it for much longer.

How to freeze tempeh

Now we’ve come to the heart of the matter (no pun intended): freezing the tempeh. It is one of the most frequently asked questions about this wonderful vegan superfood.

Luckily, tempeh is considered a freezer-safe food. In fact, freezing is the best way to keep it fresh for a long time.

You just have to make sure you follow these steps to the letter:

1. Place the tempeh in a freezer-safe bag or resealable container.
2. Make sure it is well packed and that the container is not too full.
3. Place the tempeh in the freezer.

Once tempeh is stored in the freezer, you can expect it to last a long time. To be more precise, it can last up to 6 months. This way, you can rest easy knowing you’ll always have tempeh on hand when you need it.

There you have it, an easy guide to freezing tempeh!

Remember that this vegan soy-based meat substitute is one of the healthiest foods out there. It is not only incredibly tasty, but also very nutritious. With that said, be sure to follow the steps we’ve laid out to ensure you get the best results.

Why freeze tempeh?

But before we leave, there’s one question we need to address first: why would we want to freeze tempeh? The answer is as simple as it can be: it’s a superfood to have on hand if you’re serious about eating healthy.

Does tempeh go bad?

Before we directly answer this question, we need to take a closer look at how tempeh is made. This is important. After all, the tempeh production process is undoubtedly one of the main factors why people ask this question.

Now, tempeh is made from a block of soybeans that has been pressed and fermented.

This is why tempeh is riddled with white mold all over the place; but don’t worry, they are perfectly healthy and good for you.

To be more precise, it should also be noted that the fermentation process is one of the reasons why tempeh has a ton of probiotics.

For those of you unfamiliar with them, probiotics are a type of fiber that help promote the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system. Thus, eating tempeh regularly helps improve digestion and absorption.

At the same time, the fermentation process also gives tempeh a distinctive flavor. As anyone who has tried it will no doubt tell you, it tastes a lot like a mushroom.

This means it’s incredibly earthy and flavorful, with hints of nuttiness that are hard to miss. Plus, tempeh has a chewy texture that’s hard to miss.

That being said, one of the most common mistakes people make with tempeh and other fermented foods is that they assume they never go bad.

After all, fermentation involves letting some bacteria grow and break down some of the elements in the food. However, remember that everything has a limit.

So, to answer the question: yes, tempeh can go bad. Of course, it can be hard to tell. After all, there are growths that appear on tempeh that are perfectly acceptable.

Therefore, it may be more difficult for you to identify signs of deterioration, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

How to tell if tempeh has gone bad:

Luckily we’re here to help you, here are some of the things to look for in your tempeh:

• Strange smells - This should go without saying, but we have to point it out here. The tempeh should not have any strange odor. If you notice a strong, sour odor emanating from it, it’s probably time to get rid of it.
• Discoloration - Another effective way to look for signs of spoilage is to look for any changes in the color of your tempeh. Of course, this is easier said than done, since gray spots can usually be found on its surface. Instead, focus your efforts on the beans. If the white grains have suddenly turned dark, you are most likely looking at spoiled tempeh.
• Texture changes - A good tempeh should be firm to the touch. Take into account its texture, since any change in it can be a sign of deterioration. If it has gone mushy, the tempeh has most likely gone bad.
• Viscous Liquids - If the tempeh has any goo on it, be sure to throw it away immediately. In most cases, this viscous liquid will also be putrid and rancid, so you shouldn’t have a problem noticing it.

Be sure to remember this and always check that your tempeh does not show any signs of spoilage.

At the same time, always remember to check the expiration date on your tempeh. After all, the last thing you want is to eat it after it’s gone bad. That will surely be a bad experience.

Nutritional content of tempeh

As we’ve said before, tempeh is very healthy and that’s another reason why you’ll probably want to keep plenty of it on hand.

It goes without saying that if you want to live a healthy life, you’ll want easy access to incredibly nutritious and tasty foods like tempeh. By freezing tempeh, you’ll be able to do just that, as it’s loaded with nutrients and minerals.

With that said, here is a table with the nutritional benefits you can expect from a 100-gram serving of tempeh:

Nutritional content of tempeh, per 100 g serving

As the chart above shows, tempeh is incredibly nutritious. Its impressive nutrient profile clearly shows its density: it contains high levels of protein, vitamins and minerals.

In fact, of all the vegan meat alternatives, tempeh has been shown to have the highest protein content. At the same time, it’s also incredibly impressive how little sodium it contains.

Plus, tempeh is incredibly low in carbs and calories, while also providing you with a great source of calcium. It has about 2/3 of the calcium that you can find in a cup of whole milk.

It goes without saying that tempeh is something you’ll want in your house at all times.

This is why you should seriously consider putting it in your freezer. After all, it’s never too late to make a change to your diet. Freezing the tempeh is a step in the right direction.