Learning how to store cooked edamame is very important considering that they easily turn bad when exposed to room temperature for a long time. Edamame are green beans that are from a special variety of soya beans. Once harvested they can easily turn bad that is why most people like cooking them in large quantities then storing them for later use. However, as previously noted the problem with cooked edamame is that when stored wrongly it turns bad. Below are a few methods that you can use to store leftover cooked edamame. Carefully follow them for the best results.
Contents
Store cooked edamame in the fridge
NB: this is a decent method of storing cooked edamame. It will preserve the leftover cooked edamame for up to 4 days. Therefore, you need to eat them before they turn bad.
Step 1
In order to store leftover cooked edamame in the fridge start by ensuring that the cooked edamame have cooled down. This is because if you place them in the fridge will hot they might actually compromise the temperature of the fridge. This will then affect the shelf life of other foods in your fridge.
Step 2
When the cooked edamame have cooled down you need to place them in an air tight container or a freezer bag. The next thing is to place the freezer bag in the fridge. Cooked edamame that are stored in the fridge can last for up to 4 days. Therefore, it is highly advisable to eat them within that time frame to avoid disappointment.
Store cooked edamame in the freezer
NB: this is the best method of storing leftover cooked edamame since it really extends the shelf life of the cooked edamame. They will last for about 1 year when stored in the freezer.
Step 1
In order to store cooked edamame in the freezer you have to start by letting them cool down. This is because if you place them while hot they can cause the temperature of your freezer to change. When the temperature changes, the shelf life of other foods in the freezer will be compromised.
Step 2
The next step is to divide the cooked edamame into small portions and place the portions into freezer bags. This will help you in the long run since you can just defrost one portion at a time instead of the whole batch.
Step 3
Once you have placed the edamame beans inside, take out as much air as possible from the freezer bags before sealing. This will help to prevent freezer burn and premature spoilage. Label the freezer bags with the date in which you are placing them in the freezer. This will help you to recall when then are likely to expire.
Step 4
The last step is to store cooked edamame in the freezer. They will last for approximately one year.
NB: store cooked edamame within 2 hour after preparation. This helps to prevent bacteria from building up on them.
How to thaw cooked edamame
If your cooked edamame is stored in the freezer then you need to start by thawing them. In order to do this, simply transfer them from the freezer to the fridge. You can let them thaw overnight. When you want to use them simply take them out and reheat them using any method that you prefer. If you are in a hurry then you can always resort to using the microwave to thaw your leftover cooked edamame. You can thaw them for 2 to 3 minutes in the microwave before using them.
How to tell when cooked edamame has turned bad
Colour changes
When cooked edamame has turned bad the colour changes. When edamame is still fresh it will have a bright colour to it but, once you notice a dull green colour that might be a sign that your cooked edamame has turned bad.
Appearance changes
If your cooked edamame appears to have moulds on it then you should definitely throw them away. Moulds are a clear sign that food has turned bad. If you consume food that has moulds on it you will definitely get sick. Therefore, it is wise to always throw away cooked edamame when you notice any moulds.
Texture changes
When cooked edamame has turned bad the texture changes. They will have a slimy texture to them which is not even appealing. When you notice that your cooked edamame has a slimy texture to it you need to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Smell changes
Cooked edamame that has turned bad usually has an unpleasant smell. When you notice an odd smell on your edamame beans then you need to throw them away. This is mainly because if you eat cooked edamame that has turned bad you will get sick.
How to store raw edamame
Store raw edamame in the freezer
NB: this is the best method for storing uncooked edamame because it helps to preserve them for a longer period of time.
Step 1
In order to store raw edamame in the freezer you need to start by blanching them. This will help to retain the texture and flavour of the edamame when they are stored in the freezer. In order to blanch the raw edamame you need to place water in a pot and bring it to a boil. Add the edamame beans once water has boiled. Let them sit in the water for about 3 minutes before taking them out.
Step 2
The next step is to place them inside cold water and pat them dry. Divide them into smaller portions and place them into freezer bags.
Step 3
Before sealing the freezer bags take out as much air as possible. This will help to prevent freezer burn and premature spoilage. Raw edamame stored using this method will last for about 12 months.
Conclusion
It is possible to store cooked edamame and they can actually last for a longer period of time. The best method for storing cooked edamame is the freezer. This is because it really preserves the cooked edamame for a longer period of time.
