How Long Do Mashed Potatoes Last in the Fridge?
The quick and easy answer
How long do mashed potatoes last in the fridge? Let me give you the answer first. Leftover potatoes from mashed potatoes last for a maximum of four days in the refrigerator if placed inside an airtight container, and put in the fridge within 2 hours after cooking to bring down the temperature.
In the freezer they can be stored almost indefinitely, however, they should be used within one month of storage because the time comes when they’ll taste similar to their original taste without additional fortification in the process of thawing.
Mashed potatoes are a staple in the kitchen and almost everybody loves potatoes. However, there are times when we go overboard and create a lot or leave an entire batch of leftovers.
How long will potato mash last in the refrigerator? The truth is, that the fridge is quite accommodating when it comes to us. There are lots you can make use of leftover potato mash!
Let’s examine how long they can last inside the fridge. We’ll also look at how you can detect when they’ve gone out and how you can make them work again.
How long do mashed potatoes last in the fridge?
In the best storage conditions, potatoes that are mashed can last up to three to five days in the fridge.
It’s stored placed in an airtight container and it’s ideal if it’s an open and shallow container to allow the food to cool evenly.
It is important to know that potatoes that are mashed may spoil However, they can be stored for a length of time in the refrigerator.
It doesn’t mean that you must prepare a large amount of food and then store it in the fridge for one week however it’s helpful to know the best way you can do with them if there are leftovers.
Do not leave them out on the counter overnight.
The initial question concerns keeping the potatoes mashed in a refrigerator at temperatures near zero is.
However, this should be stated as well.
Don’t leave potatoes mashed on the counter for too long particularly when you’ve added dairy products to the potatoes.
This is due to the fact that mold and bacteria can grow quickly. Your meal could turn off if the environment is particularly hot.
It is possible to leave the food at the counter over a few hours but put it in the refrigerator immediately after you are able to.
When you add butter and milk, it makes them into a sour mess faster.
Any dairy, not only milk and butter, can make mashed potatoes incredibly delicious.
The problem is that we’re adding proteins as well as fats, which aren’t solid at temperatures at ambient temperature, and particularly not at high temperatures.
So, if your potato is not very appealing and unappealing, it could keep some of the flavors.
If it’s got dairy products – dairy products, Parmesan cheese, cheddar butter, cream cheese or anything else that is milk-related must be put in the fridge as quickly as it is possible.
Always store the mashed potatoes within an airtight pot.
When storing potatoes that have been mashed or any other cooked food in reality – it is best to be using a sealed airtight container.
This can help you in a variety of ways:
The potatoes won’t be able to absorb the scents of the refrigerator
They will not get dry, however, they will keep the moisture inside
If they’re contaminated with bacteria, they’ll not spread onto other food items
In whatever airtight container you keep your potatoes in ensure that it’s both large and deep. This will guarantee that your food cooks uniformly in the fridge and you won’t have any warm spots that can get rotten faster.
Mashed potatoes stored in the freezer
Mashed potatoes stored in the freezer will last for years if stored below 0F, with the exception that they lose some of their flavors over time. The longer you keep them in the freezer it’s more effort you’ll need to perform to bring back the potato after it’s time to thaw. The best efforts will be unsuccessful ultimately. Everything is contingent on the type of quality you began with, and the kind of ingredients you used at the beginning.
For storing potato mash for storage in the freezer it is necessary to adhere to the two-hour rule. Cool them according to the procedure described above for refrigeration before putting them into the Ziploc bag and flatten them to make space. Place them in the freezer but not placed over the others until they are turned into blocks. Then place one on top of each other to make the space.
You can store the mashed potatoes for a long time; however, you should use them in the first month for optimal outcomes.
How do you reheat mashed potatoes?
It’s one thing to store leftover potatoes, but it’s a different matter to know how to cook them.
As a rule of thumb, always heat mashed potatoes that have been frozen, and make sure that you cook them in the kitchen on the stove. It’s possible to do it in the oven, but I can’t think of a reason to do it there even if you have a stove to make it simpler.
Whatever you do be sure you’re not making use of the microwave for this purpose of mashed potatoes that were frozen for a prolonged period and lost, which could have a dry texture as a result of loss of water, and the appearance of glue due to excessive heat or high-temperature heating.
To heat, defrost frozen potatoes overnight in the fridge, (or for six hours) depending on the thickness you packed them into the Ziploc bag. Transfer to a saucepan that is on the stove, and ensure that it’s set to medium temperature. Add liquids such as broth, milk, stock half and a half, or buttermilk butter to bring the dish back to life and avoid drying.
The best general rule of thumb is, to begin with, 1/2 cup to 4 cups of mashed potatoes. Stir in the potato mixture slowly until you get to the consistency you prefer and definitely not soup with potatoes. Make sure you stir it consistently to avoid sticking and ensure that the heat is evenly distributed.
To bake prepare, mix the liquids and place the potato mashed on an oven dish. Keep it warm to 350 F until the potatoes reach 165F internal temperature, which can take 20-30 minutes.
How can you tell if the potatoes you mashed have become stale?
However, even in the most optimal storage conditions, mashed potatoes can get rotten, particularly in the event that you store them too long.
There are several ways to figure out the reason why they’ve disappeared, and here’s the list of them.
They look shabby
In addition, there are moldy patches appearing like glossy areas in others or completely dry in certain areas.
Mashed potatoes look gorgeous and golden after being fresh. You can feel the glowing when you add milk, butter, or whatever else you’ve added to them.
Plainly mashed potatoes look like the ones you’ve seen no matter if they’re fresh, or just a few days old.
However, once they begin to look poor, or perhaps odd, you might want to try and recall the time you made them.
They are stale and smell foul
They also look terrible, however, this is not always the case. Sometimes, the potatoes mashed remain in good shape, but then produce a horrible smell due to the process of fermentation that is already in progress.
The spores don’t stink, however, it’s an ideal idea to sniff them because inhaling spores from them could cause breathing issues that are serious.
If you’ve added dairy products it could make the scent sourer.
If you’ve also used aged cheese as well as moldy cheese, you shouldn’t just rely on the smell.
They taste bitter
Another way to check whether the potatoes you’ve mashed have been ruined is to test the potatoes. I would not recommend this unless you’re absolutely certain regarding the first two factors.
They look good They smell good, However, you’re uncertain.
They can be tasted, but you can only take a tiny amount of them on the edge of one teaspoon. It should be enough for you to be able to identify it.
If you’re unsure after your first taste, you can take a taste but be careful not to consume excessively.
If they’re bitter or strange, take them off. It’s not worth heating them up.
You can’t remember the last time you placed them in the refrigerator.
The same happens for the most seasoned of us. Sometimes, we completely forget about certain food items that we have in our fridges This is the case with potatoes, too.
If you really aren’t sure when you last put them in the refrigerator look back through the previous three points.
If you notice anything amiss about them, throw them away.
You can also use leftover potatoes that you have mashed
What can you do if you have leftovers? Use them again, of course!
How do you make use of the leftover potatoes?
How old are they required to be before you can throw them away?
As for age, it’s a matter of whether they’re still edible, as per the earlier 4 points – they’ll be okay.
Keep in mind, however, that after you’ve heated the potatoes, you shouldn’t store them for a further three days. Take them out immediately and don’t keep them any longer.
Whatever you’re using for, ensure that it’s cleared out in one go.
You can add something to make them thicker to make patties of them.
Potato patties are delicious but they don’t necessarily require patties. There are baked potato fingers that are mashed, and with cheese thrown in.
Another option is to bake loaded potatoes, or simply use a cake decorating tool and create swirls using them and bake them. They are especially enjoyable for children, and they can even make the cake themselves.
You can also mix some potato mashed into a cream soup in order to increase the thickness.
A creamy potato and bacon soup or leek and potato soup. It’s really any type of soup you prefer so long you think it’s compatible with potatoes.
Be aware that if you’ve added cream cheese or cheese, it’s not recommended to cook the soup in the following step. Add the potatoes mashed in the end and then give it an hour or so to blend into the other ingredients.
In the event that you simmer (even slowly simmer) soft or regular cheeses, they’d start to crumble and give off a strange flavor.
Frequently asked questions
How do you know if mashed potatoes are bad?
Spoilt potatoes are sure to possess a distinct taste. It is not ever advised to ever tasting of any potato that does not look exactly like the real thing.
A rotten potato can appear bad or smell sour.
A rotten potato won’t smell like the delicious scent of a fresh potato mash.
What happens when you eat poor mashed potatoes?
If you eat poor mashed potatoes, there’s an opportunity to get sick. However, it’s not a big deal since the majority of spoilage bacteria that are found in food items don’t pose a risk. If you consume a mashed potato infected with pathogenic bacteria that, by the way, doesn’t display any obvious signs of spoilage your chance of getting sick is high, as pathogenic bacteria can produce food poisoning.
Can mashed potatoes cause food poisoning?
Yes, mashed potatoes could cause food poisoning if left for more than 2 hours. This allows pathogenic bacteria to rapidly multiply and cause severe negative side effects if consumed.
How long do the mashed potatoes stay in the fridge?
Mashed potatoes should be left in the fridge after cooking for longer than two hours. This is a measure to prevent the number of pathogenic bacteria present in the food from rising to unhealthy levels.
How long do mashed sweet potatoes last?
Sweet potatoes last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator and for a long time when stored in the freezer. Like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes should not be kept in the refrigerator for longer than two hours.
What can I do with a week-old mashed potato?
Do not eat the mashed potatoes that are a week old as they could already be a flourishing number of pathogenic bacteria that can cause food poisoning. A week-old potato mashed is likely to be spoiled already!
Wrapping up
How long do mashed potatoes last in the fridge? Well, I have already given you the answer. So, it wouldn’t be necessary to repeat that again.
Mashed potatoes are everyone’s first affection, and we want to eat them often. This is the reason why taking care to understand the safety guidelines for food items like mashed potato is a wise choice, especially since it’s an everyday food item.
