Mashed potatoes are a delicious side dish made with just a few simple ingredients. But after cooking, what’s the best way to store them, so they stay fresh? And how long will they last in the fridge? Let us find out how long are leftover mashed potatoes good for.
How long are leftover mashed potatoes good for?
Mashed potatoes will last in the fridge for 3-5 days. If you’re not going to eat them within that time frame, it’s best to freeze them. You can freeze mashed potatoes for up to two months. You can freeze them for a long time, but the taste and texture change from the original product.
Never keep mashed potatoes on the kitchen counter as the harmful bacteria and mold will start proliferating. It happens due to the ingredients used to prepare the dish.
Ingredients: Milk butter and other milk products
Dairy and dairy products used to make mashed potatoes help increase the taste and texture.
However, these products can also turn the potatoes bad very quickly. Therefore, the rule of the thumb is to cool the cooked dish and transfer it to the fridge or freezer quickly to increase the shelf life.
MASHED POTATO SHELF LIFE CHART
How should mashed potatoes be stored?
The best way to store mashed potatoes is in an airtight container. If you’re using a plastic container, make sure to leave some headspace at the top, so the potatoes have room to expand as they freeze.
While refrigerating, make sure that the container is broad and shallow so that all the contents cool appropriately.
The best way to store any food product is to store in an airtight container for the following reasons:
- It helps in keeping the food fresh for longer
- Mashed potatoes will not absorb any smell from the fridge
- Keep them from getting dry
Can mashed potatoes be reheated?
Mashed potatoes can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you’re reheating them in the microwave, make sure to stir them occasionally, so they don’t dry out.
If you’re reheating them on the stovetop, add a little bit of milk or cream to help them retain their moisture.
Do mashed potatoes freeze well?
Mashed potatoes freeze very well! In fact, they sometimes taste almost similar to the original product. The only catch is to use them in under two months.
After this time, you may not get the same taste and texture of the product.
Can I eat week-old mashed potatoes?
It depends on the type of storage. For example, if you have stored mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge, they should be suitable for up to 3-5 days.
If you have stored mashed potatoes in the freezer, they can last for two months. However, it is best to eat mashed potatoes within a few days of cooking them. If you have a lot of leftovers, freeze the dish.
When reheating mashed potatoes, make sure to stir, so they don’t lose moisture and dry.
How to tell if they are wrong?
If mashed potatoes are correctly stored, they should be safe to eat for up to four days. However, there are a few signs that mashed potatoes have gone wrong.
- The first is mold. If you see any mold on your mashed potatoes, it’s best to throw them out. Mold is visible in the form of small patches.
- Another sign of bad mashed potatoes is a color change. If your mashed potatoes have turned green or brown, they’ve gone bad and should be thrown out.
- Finally, if your mashed potatoes have a sour smell, they’re no longer safe to eat.
- Fresh mashed potatoes look shiny and fresh, but the bad ones give a slimy look. Not precisely the slime, but they don’t look as good and shiny.
Dairy products start giving off smell faster due to their perishable nature. For example, mashed potatoes made with cheese or milk spoil more quickly with a foul odor.
What to do with leftover mashed potatoes?
If you have bog natch of mashed potatoes and you think that you cannot anyway finish it a few days time, use them in other recipes. Here are a few things you can do to use the leftovers.
1.Thicken the soup
If you are at the end point of the soup and you cannot boil it further, add mashed potatoes. Let it sit for a few minutes to blend into the other ingredients.
You will be surprized to have a creamy and thick soup.
2. Make patties
Mahes potatoes make yummy patties. Kid love these small golden brown goodies. If you have a lot leftover, make mashed potatoes patties.
3. Pancakes
I have never tries making pancakes from mashed potatoes but this recipe is a good one and I will try to make a lunch for my daughter.
You can also use them as a topping for shepherd’s pie or baked potatoes. Whatever you do with your mashed potatoes, be sure to eat them within four days.
Here are some important points you should always keep in mind.
- Refrigerate any leftover mashed potatoes as soon as they are cooled down.
- Use an airtight, broad and shallow container to give it enough space.
- Use the leftover in 3-5 days after refrigeration.
- Frozen mashed potatoes can be used in between 2 months time. You can freeze them for 10-12 months but the taste and texture will not be same as original.
- You can create new recipes or use leftovers in other recipes.
To conclude
Mahsed potatoes can be stored for a few days in refrigerator and few months in freezer. The best way to use them is finish in a few days time.
If yu have a large portion left, use them in other recipes t use them before they turn bad.
