Do you love mashed potatoes but never know how long they last?
I’ve got your answer for you! Mashed potatoes can last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
If you want to make them last longer, store them in a container with an airtight lid and place it as close to the back of the fridge as possible.
Milk and butter might make things bad much faster
Adding any dairy, not just butter and milk, will make mashed potatoes that much better. They will taste great and be very delicious.
But when you add any dairy to them, they need to go in the refrigerator as soon as possible because it is not stable at room temperature.
Use an airtight container for storage
You should store any cooked food, including mashed potatoes, in an airtight container. It will help you in several ways:
The potatoes won’t take on the smell of other foods in the fridge. They won’t dry out, even if they’re contaminated. And if they are contaminated with bacteria, it can’t spread to other food that is stored there too.
Whatever type of airtight container you use for storing potatoes, make sure it’s wide and not deep or tall so that food cools evenly without warm spots where bacteria can grow faster for some reason.
Try freezing mashed potatoes as well
You can freeze them to use later. You just need enough room in your freezer and some containers or bags that are freezer-safe.
Freeze them after they have cooled down, not when they are still warm or hot. This will let other foods in the freezer stay frozen for longer.
You can divide them into the portions you need for one sitting. Put them in bags or containers and put them in the freezer. They will last up to 12 months.
To make more potatoes, take out a portion of frozen ones and microwave it well.
How do you know if mashed potatoes are spoiled?
This dish can go bad, too. If you leave them for too long, they can be spoiled. But here are some ways to tell if they are spoiled:
They just look oddly bad
Mashed potatoes can look different.
They can be thick in some places, glossy in others, or dried out. They should look good if they are fresh. If they do not look good at all then you should try to remember when you made them.
They smell real bad
They can have a bad smell.
The way it looks does not always show its smell. Sometimes they will have a nice look but have a bad smell because of what is happening in them.
Mold doesn’t usually have a smell to it, but you shouldn’t sniff it because it might make you sick. If you add dairy to the mix then the tastes might change faster and get funky smells too.
Cheese that has been aged or moldy doesn’t usually get any better by smelling it either.
They taste bad
If you’re not sure if yours are bad, try tasting them. You should only get a little bit on the end of a teaspoon, though.
Don’t eat them if they taste sour or weird.
You don’t remember when you put them in the fridge
You forgot when you put them in the fridge. You can’t remember when you put them there.
If you find anything wrong with the dish, discard it.
Can you use leftover mashed potatoes?
Yes, you can.
You can reuse them. But what do you do with the leftovers? If they are still good and edible, then they should be fine to reheat.
So if you want to use them as a side dish for dinner, then please eat the food right away and don’t keep it for another 3 days.
You can add something to make the patties. When you do, they will taste good and be fun to serve. You can make potato patties and add in cheese.
Potatoes can also be baked into shapes for decoration on a cake. This is fun for kids and they can create this themselves too!
Potatoes can be added to the cream soup. If you add cheese or cream cheese, then do not boil the soup. Add mashed potatoes at the end and let them blend with all of the food.
FAQ’s
Can I eat 2-week old mashed potatoes?
No, it’s not recommended unless you store them in the freezer. To keep the food fresh, put them in an airtight container and pop it inside within two hours of cooking.
Do homemade mashed potatoes go bad?
They can last 3-5 days in the fridge if they are stored in an airtight container, and they are kept shallow so that the cool air can get to all of them.
Can you eat 5-day old mashed potatoes?
They should stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. But if they have a bad smell or look, throw them away.
Can you reheat mashed potatoes?
Yes, cold leftovers can be reheated and they come back to being hot, creamy, and smooth. Microwaves are not a good idea because it takes out all the moisture from them. To reheat them use a stove or an oven.
Is it safe to eat cold mashed potatoes?
Do not eat cold potatoes. They may have bacteria that will make you sick. If the potatoes were cooked and served, put them in the refrigerator as soon as they are done cooking. Do not eat leftovers if they have been left out for too long at room temperature.
Conclusion
Mashed potatoes are a favorite food for many people. It is very important to know the limits on how to cook mashed potatoes so that they do not get sick or die. This way you can have your favorite food again and again.