Do you know how long are mashed potatoes good for? Let’s find out!
Love for the potato dishes is undeniable. But it sometimes becomes stressful; when you do not know what to do with the leftovers. If we have eaten at someone’s place, then it becomes our responsibility to invite them back.
Thanksgivings are the special occasions on which we try everything to be perfectly organized. Dinner is the most significant part has to be flawless. We don’t want anyone to complain about the taste and most probably about the scarcity of anything. It is obvious, for the food to be left after; to eat later.
In Today’s article, we will provide you with helpful techniques to know how long your food is good to consume. Plus, we have some delicious food recipes (using your leftover potatoes as the main ingredient) as a bonus for you to enjoy.
So, Let’s start with solving your queries first.
How long are mashed potatoes good for?
Potatoes Either boiled or mashed; can only be used for a minimum of 3 or a maximum of 5 days.
But in accordance to use it that way, it is also important to know how, where and at what temperature it has to be stored. If your potatoes are mashed without any spices in them, then you can count up to 4 days for your food to be okay if kept in the refrigerator within the 3 hours of being cooked.
It’s crystal clear for the potatoes to get mixed up with any dairy products like milk, cheese, etc. “To taste heavenly.” But the worry begins when it remains unconsumed.
The potatoes containing any dairy items should be placed directly into the fridge right after being left. Otherwise, it will become mushier and give a good reason to the bacteria to grow faster and spoil the eatable.
How long do mashed potatoes last?
To allow your mashed potatoes to last longer, they should sooner be put down in a refrigerator within 3 hours. You can regard the following hours as a mandatory time for your heat-up food to get normal to room temperature and then be stored in your refrigerators to prevent them from spoilage. The following storage method of working are as under:
At Room Temperature:
Room temperature is the ideal environment we breathe and live in. Storing your food at room temperature is more probably possible in the winter season. To have fine food even after the following days, it’s better to keep them around 0 degrees.
But If you live in the polar regions far away from the equator, then there is no need for me to tell you to refrigerate it.
The temperature is sufficiently cold to even turn the water inside the taps into ice. Preferably, be sure to cover your bowl with a plastic sheet to avoid the moisture to set about. Or just spread it evenly in the air-tight container.
In the Fridge:
The refrigerator has been making it easy for us to pre-empt our consumables for being rotten. You can find the ideal temperature of 4° F in the fridge to 0° F in the freezer. Never leave mashed potatoes or any other food items overnight on your kitchen slabs.
While on the one hand, it is easily accessible to flies and bugs. On the other hand, the room temperature is favorable for bacteria to develop and multiply faster. Refrigerators have a temperature close to 0° F or below.
How long can you keep mashed potatoes in the refrigerator?
Do we wonder how the ready-to-fry or instantly cooked items can last long even for months? What kind of method the sellers are adopting; and is it possible for us at home too?
The process is called pasteurization. It is done to extend the shelf life of liquid or non-liquid food items. And to kill the microorganisms or molds for the preservation of eatables. You can even do this at home.
The only 3 steps needed are:
- Wash and boil the potatoes at 145°F in the stainless steel pressure cooker or heat it in the oven.
- Rinse off the hot water and separate the potatoes. Peel off the outer layer and mash them.
- Immediately place them into the freezer in an air-tight bag or container.
In this way, you can easily store them for up to 8 months. If you are worried about the discoloration of your specified item. Just sprinkle some lemon juice on it. It will protect its color to fade away.
How do I know if mashed potatoes go bad? 4 Important signs
1) Bad appearance
It is simple to tell a difference between healthy and unhealthy food. The black patches will be visible to you with naked eyes. The other indicators are the white layer on the top and partially or completely dry and hard part of the food.
This shows that the potatoes have loosened all their essential nutrients like fats and proteins. So, it’s better to consume something fresh instead of the decayed and infected one.
2) Unpleasant smell
If an unpleasant smell is bothering your kitchen. It’s better to check your refrigerator. Because your mashed potatoes are completely gone. Sometimes, in place of changing their physical appearance.
The food items talk with the scents. The stinky smell will perhaps make you know about the awful conditions of your mushy potatoes. Maybe they seem all fine, but the unbearable and a bit of pungent smell will portray the story itself.
3) Unpleasant taste
Despite the smell and appearance, you can check it by taking a bite.
Take as small as you can similarly, like the size of the pea. Eat it. If it has a sour taste, then realize that your food is already sour. It is inedible now. Therefore, better to consider it a waste and throw it away.
4) Can’t remember when stored
This often happens that we can’t recall it in our minds that when we have placed a particular thing in a freezer. The first three options will presumably help you with this.
Just in case, then none of it works, and; you are still in doubt. Better trash it out. Well, you will at least be protected from food poisoning or any other food illness.
3 Recipes you can make from mashed potatoes
So to finish your mashed potatoes as quickly as possible. We have some finger-licking, delicious recipes for you. So make way for the following to enter your kitchen:
1) Potato fries
Ingredients: frozen mashed potatoes, cornflour, bread crumbs, spices, oil to fry, or oven to bake.
Procedure:
- Take out your deep-frozen mashed potatoes from the freezer and evenly spread it on the plain tray or utensil.
- Draw the straight cuts out of it to form the shape of finger fries.
- Mix two tablespoons of cornflour with one cup of water. Stir well. Add salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Switch on the gas stove. Pour the oil into the pan and pre-heat for 5 minutes on high flame.
- Grab your cutouts and dig in into the liquidated flour mixture. Thereafter, cover it with breadcrumbs and push it into the oil to fry.
- Turn the flame from high to medium after 2 minutes. Let them fry for another 3 minutes.
- Take out your crispy fries and serve it with mayonnaise. Enjoy your heavenly snack with love.
It’s done! Enjoy your meal.
2) Toast
Ingredients: Bread- brown or white, potatoes, salt, pepper, onion, coriander, cheese slice.
- Precisely chop the onion and coriander leaves.
- Form a mixture containing a good amount of mushy potatoes, onion, and coriander leaves. Add salt and pepper to your taste.
- Spread the mixture onto one piece of bread. Add your favorite slice of cheese and toast it for 4 minutes.
Your unchallenging yet palatable breakfast is all set to relish your taste buds.
3) Pancakes
When we listen to the word pancake, the first thing that comes into our minds is a sweet dessert to enjoy. But how about a spicy dinner pancake idea.
Ingredients: Potatoes, 1onion, 1green chilly, 1egg, all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil.
- Bring the mashed potatoes out of the refrigerator. Add finely chopped onion, green chilly, and beaten egg to it. Blend them well.
- Put on 2 to 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to make the mixture thicker. Shape a cutlet or croquette and place it on a pre-heated non-stick pan.
- Let it fry in 1 tablespoon oil until it’s golden brown. Flip the other side for the same.
Serve into your plates when you feel them be crunchy enough for yourself. Chose your all-time side dish to eat with.
Final words
Until now, I hope you have chosen your recipe to turn your leftover mashed potatoes into a yummy dish. The rare incidents can be reasonable but regularly making extra food and storing it to save your time is not good. It will make you and your family suffer health issues later.
A human is what he/she breathe or eat. So, it is necessary to consume fresh and fine quality food to be a healthy person. If you have any queries, feel free to ask us in the comment sections below. Do not forget to share your luscious dish with us.
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