While many people only think about the savory taste of sweet potato as a holiday side dish, others make them a part of their regular diet. This is because sweet potatoes are packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that are a great addition to a healthy diet. But many people wonder just how long they can be stored in the fridge after they have been cooked.
A cooked sweet potato will typically last 3-4 days in the fridge, as long as they are stored in an airtight container. The sealed container keeps the sweet potato from attracting undesirable moisture and harmful bacteria.
Although the storage of sweet potatoes seems simple, there are many things that you should know about storage and reheating so you can avoid food poisoning and other unpleasant side effects. Keep reading to learn more about how to store your sweet potatoes properly so you can reheat them when you are ready.
How to Tell if Cooked Sweet Potato Has Gone Bad
The best way to tell if a cooked sweet potato has gone bad is to observe its appearance and how it smells. In most cases, when a sweet potato has gone bad, it will emit an odor that is not pleasant as well as show signs of either darkened spots or mold.
When it comes to sweet potatoes, most connoisseurs of the versatile vegetable suggest that storing them properly is the key to ensuring they last a long time. For the most part, sweet potatoes should last for several days in the refrigerator.
As they move past the 3-4 day mark, they tend to lose their flavor and resiliency to the environment they are in. Because of this, it is recommended that if you do not plan to eat them within this timeframe, you should either not cook as much, or choose other storage options.
When the sweet potato begins to go bad, typically you will notice the change in its appearance before anything else. This is because areas of the potato will begin getting a darker tinge that can mean mold has found its way into it.
Additionally, sweet potatoes should have the same odor as when you first cooked them. If you remove it from the fridge to reheat it and notice that it either has lost some of its smell or has an odd odor, you may not want to eat it.
Overall, ensuring that your sweet potatoes have not gone bad before reheating them can save you from the unpleasantness that can result from eating spoiled food. Knowing what to look for before eating your sweet potatoes can make the difference between having a tasty side dish or having to throw them out before you were ready.
Does Cooked Sweet Potato Need to Be Refrigerated?
Cooked sweet potato needs to be refrigerated within two hours or the risk of harmful bacteria can begin to grow. This often occurs when the dish has been left at room temperature exposed to the air.
When serving sweet potatoes as a side dish to a meal, oftentimes people will prepare it then it tends to sit out for a bit of time while the dinner is served and eaten. Leaving the sweet potatoes out for an extended period of time can result in them going bad.
It is important to keep in mind that, as with most foods, when they are left out in temperatures between 40℉-140℉ for longer than two hours, bacteria that can cause the food to break down can grow. When this food is consumed, it can result in food poisoning.
In some cases, people prepare sweet potatoes that are not going to be consumed right away and instead are going to be stored for use during the week or even later. As long as the dish is stored properly and timely, they will be able to enjoy them for quite some time.
Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, it is best to let them cool for about 20-30 minutes before putting them in an airtight container. This is because the heat can cause moisture to stay in the potatoes which can cause them to lose their resiliency.
Whether you choose to store your sweet potatoes in the refrigerator to be consumed during the week, or in the freezer for later use, it is important to make sure you have taken all the necessary safety precautions and food preparation suggestions.
Can You Freeze Cooked Potato?
Most types of potatoes, including sweet potatoes, can be frozen after they have been cooked if they are prepared properly. For best results, the potatoes should be allowed to cool completely before putting them in the freezer.
In most cases, especially after a holiday meal, people often wonder if they can freeze their sweet potatoes to make them last longer. Knowing how to store them properly can make all the difference.
If you are planning to freeze your potatoes after dinner has been eaten, you will want to ensure that they have not been out for more than two hours and that they are cooled completely. Once this is done, you will need to store them in an airtight container and then place them in the freezer.
Some people, who enjoy preparing food in advance for later consumption, suggest cooking the potatoes only about ¾ of the way through if you are planning to freeze them. This is because when they are reheated, they will not turn into mush.
As stated previously, it is important to ensure your freshly cooked potatoes are completely cooled before putting them in sealed containers. This will ensure that the moisture does not build up while they are in the freezer.
Altogether, freezing potatoes can be a great way to ensure that they last for a long time and can be used when you are ready for them. Knowing how to store them properly is the key to making sure they are just as good after freezing as they were before.
Can You Reheat Cooked Sweet Potato?
Cooked sweet potatoes can be reheated if certain precautions are taken during the storage process. Additionally, following proper reheating guidelines can keep your sweet potatoes from turning into a mushy mess.
It is important to keep in mind that any food, including sweet potatoes, should be kept in separate airtight containers if you plan to store them in the freezer or refrigerator. This is because it is recommended that you only reheat the food once for safety reasons.
The more food is exposed to the air, the higher chance that harmful bacteria can be introduced and grow on the food. When food is kept in one container and reheated many times, it begins to break down and results in a higher risk for food poisoning.
Storing the cooked sweet potatoes in smaller sealed containers can prevent this from happening because it is more likely that you will consume them in one sitting. It is also important to note that if the serving is not eaten completely, it is best to throw it out.
You will need to use some caution when reheating your cooked sweet potatoes in the microwave oven. The reason is that sometimes it does not cook evenly so it needs to be stirred during the reheating process. Other times the microwave can overcook the sweet potatoes turning them into an undesirable mess.
One way to ensure your cooked sweet potatoes are reheated in a way that makes them more edible is to add butter to the top before freezing or refrigerating. This is because the butter, during the reheating process, can add back any moisture that is lost during the time it has been stored.
Whether you are cooking sweet potatoes to store for lunches during the week or are looking for ways to make your side dish last for another meal, knowing the proper ways to reheat them is vital to success. Reheating food can be a delicate process and can result in disaster if not done correctly.
At the end of the day, knowing how long sweet potatoes can last depends on if you have taken certain precautions to ensure their safety. Having sweet potatoes in the freezer can result in many fantastic options that you can try when reheating them. You will just want to make sure you have prepared them for whatever culinary experiments you wish to try.