How Long Can Mashed Potatoes Be Stored?

If you make a large batch of mashed potatoes and have any left over, you may be wondering how long you can keep them on the counter. Mashed potatoes are a fantastic side dish, but they must be stored correctly!

How long can mashed potatoes be stored? Refrigerate mashed potatoes within 2 hours after making them. If you keep mashed potatoes at temperatures over 40 degrees F for more than 2 hours, there is a good possibility that food-borne bacteria will develop in the potatoes.

How Long Can You Leave Mashed Potatoes Out?

Be careful to put mashed potatoes in the refrigerator as soon as they are done cooking. The potatoes must be cooled before being placed in the refrigerator, but as soon as they reach room temperature, putting them in the refrigerator.

Mashed potatoes should not be left on the counter for any length of time. If you’ve added cream, milk, butter, or any other dairy-related ingredients, you should be extra cautious about keeping the potatoes correctly, since dairy is prone to bacterial development.

Even if you haven’t used dairy products in your potatoes, you should put them in the fridge as soon as possible. These, like all other prepared items, should not be left out. Anything kept between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit can rapidly produce germs and might make you sick.

If the temperature is over 90 degrees F, it is much more vital to cool the potatoes immediately, and they should be placed in the refrigerator within an hour after being cooked. If they are not chilled soon enough, they must be discarded to prevent food poisoning.

Are Potatoes Vulnerable to Bacteria?

Virtually all foods are susceptible to germs and may cause food poisoning if not properly preserved. Potatoes, on the other hand, are especially vulnerable since they are starchy and often include dairy ingredients to make them creamy.

It means they are likely to grow germs at an alarming rate, and you should avoid eating them if they are left out. Food-borne germs may produce a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and, in severe instances, hospitalization. If you suspect that any potatoes have been left out for too long, it is preferable to throw them away rather than risk eating them.

You should be cautious with mashed potatoes that include no other ingredients, and especially more so if they contain dairy. If dairy is added, the mashed potato will be wetter, increasing the danger of germs developing in the dish.

How Do You Store Mashed Potatoes in the Fridge?

When you’re ready to store the mashed potatoes in the fridge, put them in an airtight container. Put the lid on and then place them as far back as possible in the fridge.

The airtight container will keep the potatoes from drying out and will keep their soft, fluffy texture. It will also prevent them from absorbing the odors and flavors of other foods in the fridge. Since potatoes are very bland, the addition of additional ingredients will alter the taste and may make them unpleasant to consume.

How Long Do Mashed Potatoes Last in the Fridge?

Mashed potatoes should keep in the fridge for approximately 3 to 5 days, especially if stored quickly. If you leave the mashed potatoes out before refrigerating them, try to use them up as soon as possible, particularly if you added dairy to them.

To get the greatest storage out of your mashed potatoes, cool them as soon as you can after preparing them. Spread the mashed potatoes out on a platter using a fork or a spoon. Potatoes are excellent insulators, and spreading them out allows heat to diffuse more freely.

You may speed up the chilling process even further by placing the plate in a cool area of your kitchen or even in a shallow dish of water or ice. This will assist to remove the heat from the potatoes and allow them to cool quicker.

Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes?

If you aren’t going to utilize your potatoes soon enough, you can put them in the freezer, which is just OK. While freezing other types of potatoes is challenging because it alters the texture, mashed potatoes should be OK since they are already mushy.

Cool the mashed potatoes again before doing this, and then transfer them to an airtight container with a cover. Nevertheless, make sure they are at room temperature before doing so, otherwise they may partly defrost other goods in the freezer.

Mashed potatoes may be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. They will still be safe to consume beyond this time, but the texture and taste may begin to degrade. Take the frozen mashed potatoes out of the freezer and leave them in the refrigerator to defrost for 24 hours.

How to Tell If Mashed Potatoes Have Gone Moldy

If you are unsure if your mashed potatoes are safe to consume, thoroughly scrutinize them for indications of mold. If you detect particles of blue or green on the surface, this is a strong indication that the mashed potatoes are no longer safe to consume. Similarly, if the texture has altered or the potatoes smell bad, they should be discarded.

Don’t eat potatoes you’re not sure about since food poisoning may be deadly, and rotten mashed potatoes can make you extremely ill.

Final Thoughts

In a moderately cold area, mashed potatoes may be left out for up to 2 hours, or up to an hour in a hot room. Don’t leave the mashed potatoes out on the counter overnight, and don’t consume any potatoes that look weird or smell bad.