Expiration & Storage Tips
When does Mashed Potatoes expire?
Mashed potatoes are a perishable food item with a fairly short shelf life. If you've made homemade mashed potatoes, they'll generally keep for about 3-5 days in the fridge. If you've bought pre-packaged or prepared mashed potatoes, follow the 'use by' date printed on the packaging. If frozen, mashed potatoes can last for up to 10 months. However, for best flavor and quality, it's suggested to eat frozen mashed potatoes within four months.
How do you tell if Mashed Potatoes is bad?
Determining if your mashed potatoes have gone bad is fairly straightforward. Firstly, smell your mashed potatoes. If they have a sour, unpleasant, or off smell, it's likely they've gone bad. Secondly, look at the mashed potatoes. Any sign of mold or discoloration is an immediate indication they've spoiled. Finally, if your mashed potatoes have a peculiar texture - either too hard, too soggy, or grainy - they are probably spoiled.
Tips for storing Mashed Potatoes to extend shelf life
• For proper storage, always keep mashed potatoes in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. This prevents them from absorbing smells from other foods and helps extend their shelf life.
• To freeze mashed potatoes, first let them cool completely at room temperature before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label the bag with the date for future reference.
• When reheating mashed potatoes, aim to only reheat what you will consume in one sitting. Constantly reheating and cooling food can promote bacterial growth.
• Potatoes are a high-risk food for botulism if improperly canned at home. It is safest to avoid canning mashed potatoes.
• Potatoes should be cooked before storing, as raw potatoes can sprout and become unsafe to eat.