Mashed potatoes are one of those crowd-pleasing side dishes that you can never quite have too much of — until you do make too much, and youre not sure what to do with the leftovers. Fortunately, experts say those spuds dont have to go to waste, because you can freeze them. The first thing to know about freezing mashed potatoes is that the process may affect their texture.
“The liquid absorbed by the potatoes while cooking will form ice crystals when they are frozen,” says Marthas Vineyard- and Boston-based personal chef Carlos Montoya. “This may make them mushy, soggy, or grainy.”
That said, Montoya notes that there are things you can do in the cooking and freezing process that will help the mashed potatoes maintain their consistency. For one, he advises always using russet or Yukon gold potatoes — they freeze better due to their low moisture and starch content.
In fact, mashed potatoes made with plenty of dairy will likely hold up better in the freezer because the fats will keep the potatoes from getting grainy or watery. Freezing mashed potatoes that have no or very few fats is more likely to change their texture, leaving them grainy and mushy.
How to freeze mashed potatoes
For safety reasons, always freeze mashed potatoes within two hours of cooking them. This will prevent the growth of bacteria that can lead to foodborne illness.
Petranka Atanasova, the food blogger and recipe developer behind Sunglow Kitchen, recommends placing mashed potatoes in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag. If you have a large batch of leftovers, Montoya says you can divide them out into 1-cup portions before freezing them. This makes it easier to thaw only what you need.
When it comes to avoiding freezer burn, the less air in the container the better, says Montoya. Squeeze extra air out of plastic bags before sealing them. If youre using plastic containers, Montoya suggests either filling them to the top or placing a piece of parchment paper over the potatoes before closing the container.
Quick tip: Chefs say the best way to preserve the texture of mashed potatoes is to add more fat, which acts as a protective coating. If you know in advance that youre going to be freezing leftovers, Atanasova recommends adding double the amount of butter or cream that the recipe calls for. Otherwise, add more fat right before freezing them. Advertisement
How long do frozen mashed potatoes last?
According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, frozen mashed potatoes are good for up to two months. However, Atanasova recommends eating them within a month — the more time the potatoes spend in the freezer, the more likely the consistency has been compromised.
Youll be able to tell if your mashed potatoes have gone bad after thawing them, says Atanasova. If they smell sour, or the liquid has separated from the solid and it doesnt combine when mixing, you should toss them.
Quick tip: Be sure to label the plastic bag or container of mashed potatoes with the date you froze them so you know when theyve expired. Advertisement
Does freezing mashed potatoes change the texture?
FAQ
How do you make frozen mashed potatoes fluffy again?
Do mashed potatoes taste good after freezing?
Why are my potatoes grainy after freezing?
Do frozen mashed potatoes get watery?
Do mashed potatoes freeze well?
It’s true that raw potatoes don’t freeze well, but mashed potatoes survive the chill if they’re protected by plenty of butter and cream. That means you should choose mashed potato recipes that don’t skimp on the dairy fat. On the other hand, recipes that rely solely on broth and oil will lose texture when you freeze and reheat them.
How long do frozen mashed potatoes last?
Frozen mashed potatoes will last up to two months. Leftover mashed potatoes can be frozen for up to two months. Adding extra fat, like cream or butter, before freezing can help mashed potatoes retain their texture. Frozen mashed potatoes can be reheated on the stovetop, or in an oven, microwave, or slow cooker.
How do you thaw frozen mashed potatoes?
Freeze them flat until they are hard; then they can be stacked in the freezer. They also thaw faster and more evenly when they are frozen flat and thin like this. To thaw and reheat frozen mashed potatoes: Put them in a covered bowl and heat them in the microwave at 50% power for approx.
Can You Freeze frozen potatoes?
Put the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours or overnight until the potatoes have frozen hard. It’s easy to transfer the frozen portions into a freezer ziploc bag.