Introduction
Mashed potatoes, also called smashed potatoes, are the favorite of most of us, as you can make many quick recipes using them. It is delicious, and everyone enjoys it at parties or lunch/dinner.
But have you made it in large quantities and then ended up with the leftovers? No worries! In this article, let’s look at how long are mashed potatoes good for, how to check if they are good to eat, at what room temperature you should keep them, and how you can reuse them.
How Many Calories in Mashed Potatoes?
The calories in the mashed potato depend on the potato size or its quantity. Here is the table for better understanding.
| Regular Mashed Potato | Calories |
| 1 Small Potato | 110 |
| 1 Medium Potato | 147 |
| 1 Large Potato | 220 |
| 1 Long Type Potato | 243 |
| I Cup | 210 |
| 1 oz | 28 |
| Mashed Potato With Milk And Margarine | Calories |
| 1 Small Potato | 134 |
| 1 Medium Potato | 179 |
| 1 Large Potato | 268 |
| 1 Long Type Potato | 296 |
| I Cup | 256 |
| 1 oz | 35 |
| Other Types Of Mashed Potato | Calories |
| Mashed Potato With Whole Milk | 174 |
| Mashed Potato With Whole Milk And Butter | 237 |
| Mashed Potato With Whole Milk And Margarine | 237 |
| Mashed Potato From Dry Milk | 220 |
| Mashed Potato Made With Milk, Fat & Cheese | 250 |
| Mashed Potato Made With Milk, Sour Cream & Cream Cheese | 262 |
How Many Carbs in Mashed Potatoes?
The total carbs in a mashed potato are calculated by considering the amount of sugar, fiber, and net carb. Let’s have a look at it in detail.
| Regular Mashed Potatoes | Total Carbs (g) |
| 1 Small Potato | 17.29 |
| 1 Medium Potato | 23.11 |
| 1 Large Potato | 34.58 |
| 1 Long Type Potato | 38.20 |
| I Cup | 33.01 |
| 1 oz | 4.46 |
| Mashed Potatoes With Milk And Margarine | Total Carbs (g) |
| 1 Small Potato | 14.54 |
| 1 Medium Potato | 19.43 |
| 1 Large Potato | 29.08 |
| 1 Long Type Potato | 32.12 |
| I Cup | 27.76 |
| 1 oz | 3.75 |
| Other Types Of Mashed Potatoes | Total Carbs (g) |
| Mashed Potatoes With Whole Milk | 25.66 |
| Mashed Potatoes With Whole Milk And Butter | 36.81 |
| Mashed Potatoes With Whole Milk And Margarine | 35.22 |
| Mashed Potatoes From Dry Milk | 35.51 |
| Mashed Potatoes Made With Milk, Fat & Cheese | 35.36 |
| Mashed Potatoes Made With Milk, Sour Cream & Cream Cheese | 33.73 |
How Long Are Mashed Potatoes Good For?
How long the smashed potatoes will last depends on how and where they are stored. It is also essential to store them correctly as it can lead to food poisoning. USDA has recommended not to keep out the prepared cooked food for more than 2 hours and should be refrigerated or frozen before the ‘Sign of Danger’.
When kept out at room temperature between 40°F and 140°F, the cooked food starts growing bacteria, and the food then becomes their breeding ground. Starchy food like potatoes might grow microbes and bacteria that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Here is how you can store the smashed potato correctly to reuse it.
How Long Do Mashed Potatoes Last In The Refrigerator?
If the mashed potatoes are stored correctly, they can last for 3-5 days in a fridge. Ensure that you have cooled it to at least 140°F before storing it in the fridge.
Also, ensure that it is wrapped in plastic or in an air-tight container to prevent the bacteria from entering the container from other contaminants.
Here are the steps to store the mashed potatoes correctly in the fridge:
- Initially, you will have to keep the mashed potatoes in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. If you keep it after that, then there are chances that it will develop bacterias that will enter into the coma and revive back when thawing.
- Change the refrigerator setting to the lowest to enable faster cooling so that the food gets cooler fast and prevents bacterial growth.
- You can transfer the mashed potatoes in an air-tight container at least 3 inches deep or in a Ziploc bag so that it cools faster.
- You can use the sink cooling method to cool the potatoes within 2 hours. Need to fill ¾ of the tank with ice water and put the container in it. Make sure that only the bottom of the container is floating on the water. Now take a spoon to whirl the smashed potatoes to remove heat.
- Now you can transfer the mashed potatoes inside the shallow container without the lid till the internal temperature of the food reaches 40°F. Then cover the lid and let it cool down.
- If you have stored the potato in a Ziploc bag, you just need to keep it in the fridge.
- Ensure that you consistently check the mashed potatoes for mold or foul smell, and discard the spoiled ones.
How Long Does The Mashed Potato Last In The Freezer?
If you have a large quantity of leftover mashed potatoes and want to store them for a long time, then storing them in a freezer is another option.
If the mashed potatoes are stored correctly in the freezer, they will last for around 10 -12 months. But ensure that they are stored in an air-tight container to prevent them from freezer burn, which can spoil the mashed potatoes.
Here is how you can store the mashed potatoes correctly in the freezer:
You need to follow the 2 hours rules even while storing it in a freezer. Follow the cooling procedure above, and then put the mashed potatoes in a Ziploc bag and store it in the freezer.
Smashed potatoes can be stored for a long time in the freezer, but it is advised to consume them in the first month.
How Do I Know If The Mashed Potatoes Are Spoiled?
If you keep the mashed potato for too long, they might get spoiled and may impact the taste of the dish. So, here are some ways that can help you figure out if the smashed potatoes are spoiled or not.
Looks Different
If the mashed potato is spoiled, it can look a bit different, like thick, glossy, or dried out. So, before reusing them, you should always check their texture and appearance. If it doesn’t look good, you should try to remember the day you made them.
Tastes Bad
A spoiled mashed potato can taste bad. Therefore to check whether it’s good to eat, take a very little quantity of mashed potato in the spoon and taste it. You shouldn’t eat it if it tastes sour or weird.
Bad Smell
When the mashed potato gets spoiled, it can have a terrible odor. Even if the smashed potatoes look good, you still have to smell them before eating. If you have added any dairy items, they might have a foul smell.
Leftover Mashed Potatoes Recipes
If the leftover mashed potato is still in good condition, here are some quick recipes that you can make for your kids and family.
1. Crispy Potato Patties
This is one of the favorite recipes of the kids. You can add a few grated vegetables like green peas, cauliflower, etc., in the mashed potato for extra nutrition for children. After making the patty and frying it, the kids won’t come to know that you have added the veggies in it. You can also make a creamy cheese dip that goes well with this dish.
2. Stuffed Waffle
Another super easy snack recipe is making waffles of smashed potatoes. So you can take your waffle iron to create waffles. You can add your favorite cheese and jelly in between the waffles to make it tastier.
3. Mashed Potato Doughnuts
This is one of the unique and delicious doughnut recipes similar to regular doughnuts. You can take the leftover mashed potato and make a doughnut of them. Later roll it in the mixture of cinnamon powder or sugar to give it a sweet taste. You can also take confectioner’s sugar instead of regular sugar.
Make sure that the mashed potato don’t have any spices, butter, or oil mixed in them, as it can give the doughnut a savory flavor.
4. Mashed Potato Pizza
Pizza is one of the favorite food items of most of us. So, you can use the mashed potato as a pizza base and add your favorite veggies, and you can even add toppings of ham, meat, bacon, etc., on it and on top of that your favorite cheese. Bake it in the oven and enjoy your pizza.
5. Mashed Potato Balls
Another snack time recipe is mashed potato balls. It is very simple to make. You can make a ball of mashed potato by filling the inner side with lots of cheese. Then roll the balls in the bread crumbs, and deep fry them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I Eat A Mashed Potato That Was Made One Week Ago?
No, you should avoid eating such potatoes as they might get spoiled, and can lead to food poisoning.
2. Can You Reheat The Leftover Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, you can reheat the mashed potatoes, as they become creamy and smooth again. Avoid heating it in the microwave as it absorbs its moisture.
3. Is It Safe To Eat Cold Mashed Potatoes?
No, you should avoid eating cold mashed potatoes as they contain bacteria that can make you sick. Instead, reheat them and then eat them.
Conclusion
Mashed potatoes make very delicious recipes. But when storing and reusing it for the next time, you have to be very cautious. You should ensure that you keep the leftover mashed potato in an air-tight container to make it last for long. And when you remove it from the refrigerator or freezer, try to make its recipes within 2 hours.
