How long are leftover mashed potatoes good for? If you have a container staring at you from inside your refrigerator and you don’t know whether to toss or eat this yummy side dish.. read on!
I can’t think of a more comforting food than mashed potatoes off the top of my head. They are so creamy, dreamy, buttery and versatile. Any holiday or dinner table is instantly made better when they are present. I love them so much.
My mom made this irresistible side dish a lot growing up. It’s not just for Thanksgiving dinner! It was a dinner staple in our house. She never once opened a package of instant potatoes and I’m forever grateful for that!
When I left home I desperately missed this creamy side, so I learned how to make it myself. No matter how many times I try, they’re never as good as my mom’s. It’s the mom magic!
The only (and I truly mean only) “bad” thing about making them is that it is so hard to gauge how many leftovers are about to invade your fridge. I have literally never made this dish and not had leftovers. Which isn’t a terrible thing because they are easy to reheat and eat later.
But if you have a dish filled with them staring at you from inside your refrigerator, you may not remember how long they’ve been there or whether they are worth heating up again. Read on for tips about how to know if your leftovers are still good or if you should toss them.
How Do I Tell If My Mashed Potatoes Have Gone Bad?Look for moldy patches. Moldy patches and spots will be the most obvious indicator. … Smell them. Starchy foods should not have a strong smell. … Taste test. … Discoloration. … Moisture loss. … Glossy patches. … Been left out too long.
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Look for moldy patches. Moldy patches and spots will be the most obvious indicator. …
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Smell them. Starchy foods should not have a strong smell. …
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Taste test. …
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Discoloration. …
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Moisture loss. …
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Glossy patches. …
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Been left out too long.
Substitute for Milk in This Dish
Whether you are looking for a different flavor in your next batch of potatoes or you just don’t have milk on hand, learn what to substitute for milk in mashed potatoes!
Although not typically thought of as healthy food, potatoes do have some positive benefits. Per WebMD, potatoes are a great source of fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer. The health outlet also notes that eating fibrous foods can keep cholesterol and blood sugar down, helping keep heart disease risks low. The specific fiber found in potatoes — resistant starch — actually provides the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fiber, acting as a prebiotic.
According to Healthline, mashed potatoes typically last three to four days in the fridge and up to a year when frozen, although the quality of mashed potatoes will not hold up once they have been frozen. This timeline applies to the most common types of potatoes typically found at grocery stores: Yukon gold, russet, sweet potatoes, and more.
Keeping your mashed potatoes in an airtight container will keep them fresh for longer, and prevent them from absorbing smells from surrounding food, per The Rusty Spoon. They state there are a few telltale signs that your potatoes have gone bad. The first and most obvious is moldy patches. Any discoloration means it is time to toss the whole container. Additionally, they state that any glossy patches or dry spots are clear indicators that your leftovers should be left alone.
Mashed potatoes are one of the best side dishes. The starchy, warm comfort food makes a great pair for steaks and casseroles alike, whether you dress them up with gravy or garlic, or just add a little bit of butter.
Although it may be tempting to make a big batch of mashed potatoes to meal prep for the week, you may want to make sure your potatoes will not spoil before you can enjoy them.
Mashed Potato Fails and How to Fix Them | Food Network
FAQ
How long does it take for mashed potatoes to go bad?
Is it okay to eat week old mashed potatoes?
Can I eat mashed potatoes after 7 days?
Can spoiled mashed potatoes make you sick?
How do you know if mashed potatoes have gone bad?
Another way to check if your mashed potatoes have gone bad is that they have become too dry and crumbly. While your leftover potatoes may dry out a bit when you reheat them, if they are falling apart before reheating, consider throwing them away. While some moisture loss is expected, too much moisture loss is bad. Glossy patches.
What are some of the negative effects of potatoes?
I would say that the potato itself does not have a negative side, it is another food option that we have and that has been part of our food and tradition for a long time. The problem is the way we use and prepare the potato. When we remove the husk, we already lose a good part of the nutrients and fiber. When we fry, we add a huge volume of fat and substances that are not good for our health. When we make a puree loaded with unhealthy ingredients, we lose the essential characteristic of the potato.
How do you know if a potato is bad?
You’ll know if the potato leftovers were bad within hours of consuming them. Food poisoning will present quickly. Vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps are typical symptoms of food poisoning and can vary from mild to severe. When you suffer from food poisoning, you should drink lots of liquids to prevent dehydration.
Do mashed potatoes smell bad?
Fresh mashed potatoes should have a pleasant, earthy aroma. However, bad mashed potatoes emit distinct off-odors that cannot be ignored. If your mashed potatoes have a sour or rotten smell, it’s a strong indication of spoilage. The presence of foul odors is often associated with bacterial growth and can pose health risks if consumed.