If you’ve made a big bowl of mashed potatoes and have a few leftovers, you might be wondering how long you can leave them on the counter. Mashed potatoes are a delicious side dish, but you need to be careful to store them properly!
How long can mashed potatoes sit? Mashed potatoes should be refrigerated within 2 hours of preparation. Do not leave mashed potatoes above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours or there is a high chance of foodborne bacteria growing in the potatoes.
How long can you leave mashed potatoes out?
You should ensure that mashed potatoes get into the fridge as soon as possible after cooking. You’ll need to cool the potatoes before you can put them in the fridge, but once they’ve reached room temperature, put them in the fridge.
Mashed potatoes should not be left on the counter any longer than necessary. If you’ve added cream, milk, butter, or other dairy-related ingredients, you should be even more careful about storing potatoes properly, as dairy products are susceptible to many types of bacterial growth.
Even if you didn’t add any milk ingredients to the potatoes, you still need to put them in the fridge as soon as possible. Like any other cooked food, they should not be left out. Anything stored between 40 and 140 degrees F will quickly start developing bacteria and could make you sick.
If the temperature is very warm and above 90 degrees F, it’s even more important to chill the potatoes quickly, and they should be refrigerated within an hour of cooking. If you don’t refrigerate them fast enough, they will have to be thrown away to avoid the risk of food poisoning.
Are potatoes susceptible to bacteria?
Almost all types of food are susceptible to bacteria and can lead to food poisoning if stored improperly. However, potatoes can be particularly vulnerable as they are starchy and often contain dairy to make them creamy.
That means they’re likely to breed bacteria at a surprising rate, and you shouldn’t eat them if left out. Foodborne bacteria can cause all sorts of nasty effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, and even hospital admissions in severe cases. If you think some potatoes have been left out for too long, better toss them than risk consuming them.
You should be wary of mashed potatoes that don’t contain any added products, and even more wary if they contain dairy products. If dairy has been added, the mashed potatoes are likely to be wetter, and this increases the risk of bacteria growing in the food.
How do you store mashed potatoes in the fridge?
When you’re ready to put the mashed potatoes in the fridge, consider placing them in an airtight container. Put the lid on and then place them as close to the back of the fridge as possible.
The airtight container keeps the potatoes from drying out and ensures they retain their soft, fluffy texture. It also prevents them from picking up smells and tastes from other ingredients in the fridge. Because potatoes are fairly basic, other ingredients will affect the flavor and can make the meal uncomfortable.
How long does mashed potatoes last in the fridge?
Mashed potatoes should keep in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days, especially if you manage to store them quickly. If you left the mashed potatoes for a while before refrigerating, you should try to use them up faster, especially if you added dairy.
To get the best possible storage out of your mashed potatoes, you should refrigerate it as soon as possible after cooking. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a plate and spread with a fork or spoon. Potatoes are pretty good insulators, and spreading them out allows heat to disperse more easily.
You can further speed up the cooling process by placing the plate in a cool area of your kitchen, or even placing the plate in a shallow bowl of water or ice. This will help pull the heat out of the potatoes and allow them to cool faster.
Can you freeze mashed potatoes?
If you’re not using up your potatoes fast enough, you might want to pop them in the freezer — and that’s okay too. Although freezing other types of potatoes is difficult because it affects the texture, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem with mashed potatoes since they’re already mushy.
You should cool the mashed potatoes again beforehand and then transfer them to an airtight container and put the lid on. However, make sure they are at room temperature before you do this or they will partially thaw other foods in the freezer.
You can store mashed potatoes in the freezer for up to 12 months. After this point, they’re still safe to eat, but you may find that the texture and flavor begin to deteriorate. If you want to thaw the mashed potatoes, take them out of the freezer and place them in the fridge for 24 hours to thaw.
How to tell if mashed potatoes are moldy
If you’re not sure if your mashed potatoes are still edible, examine them carefully for signs of mold. You may see bruises or green spots on the surface and this is a clear sign that the mashed potatoes are still not edible. If the texture has changed or the potatoes smell bad, you should throw them out as well.
Don’t eat potatoes you are unsure about as food poisoning can be quite dangerous and moldy mashed potatoes can make you very sick.
Final Thoughts
Mashed potatoes can sit in a reasonably cool room for up to 2 hours, or in a hot room for up to an hour. Don’t leave mashed potatoes on your counter overnight, and don’t eat potatoes that look odd or have an unpleasant odor.
