How long are instant mashed potatoes good for in the fridge?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “How long are instant mashed potatoes good for in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of instant mashed potatoes in the fridge, freezer, and at room temperature. Moreover, we are going to discuss tips to properly store instant mashed potatoes.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long are instant mashed potatoes good for in the fridge?
Open instant mashed potatoes last for about 3-5 days when stored properly in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag.
Thus, the cold temperature of the fridge will decrease the rate of bacterial growth and will subsequently prolong the shelf life of your instant mashed potatoes.
The proper way to store your instant mashed potatoes in the fridge is that once you have opened their can/pack transfer the leftovers in the air-tight container or zip lock bag and refrigerate them at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do instant mashed potatoes stay at room temperature?
Unopened instant mashed potato mix lasts for about 12-18 months if stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
How long do instant mashed potatoes stay in the freezer?
Open instant mashed potatoes if kept in an air-tight container or air-tight bag in the freezer can last for about 3 months or more provided that they were stored properly.
So what you gotta do is to add the leftover instant mashed potatoes to the plastic freezer bag and eliminate as much air as you can from the bag by gently pressing it while sealing the bag or you can use a vacuum sealer pump for this purpose. Now label the bag and store it in the freezer
Thus, keeping the instant mashed potatoes in the freezer will increase their shelf life considerably due to the freezer’s cool temperature that halts the bacterial growth on instant mashed potatoes.
Frozen instant mashed potatoes if thawed in the refrigerator can stay there for 3-4 days before reheating and eating them. But if you thaw your boiled potatoes in a bowl of cold water or the microwave, it is advised to reheat and devour them immediately.
It is worth mentioning that the figures mentioned above are the estimated shelf life of instant mashed potatoes.
Are instant mashed potatoes safe to use after the best by date?
The “best by” or “best before” date that is written on the pack of instant mashed potatoes refers to the quality rather than safety so the instant mashed potatoes don’t necessarily go bad immediately after the best before date.
But it’s important to know that mashed potatoes go bad.
This date refers to the time during which you can enjoy the peak quality of instant mashed potatoes but you can still use instant mashed potatoes that are past this date as long as it was stored properly.
You can read how to make instant potato pancakes here.
Tips to properly store instant mashed potatoes
- You should always store your open instant mashed potatoes at 40°F or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore it is always advised to store your instant mashed potatoes at a lower temperature.
- It is a good practice to store leftover instant mashed potatoes on one of the shelves of the refrigerator rather than the door as there is a lot of temperature fluctuation at the door of the fridge that can mess up the quality of instant mashed potatoes.
- If you want to preserve the freshness and quality of the instant mashed potatoes for a long time then it is better to freeze them.
- Once you have reheated the refrigerated/frozen instant mashed potatoes leftovers, you should never refrigerate them. As when you reheat the instant mashed potatoes, their temperature rises more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and we know that bacteria grows at a faster rate between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. So the bacteria will find their way to your instant mashed potatoes and you should never refrigerate the reheated instant mashed potatoes.
Other FAQs about Potatoes that you may be interested in.
how to cut potatoes into wedges
Can sweet potatoes be peeled ahead of time?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “How long are instant mashed potatoes good for in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of instant mashed potatoes in the fridge, freezer, and at room temperature. Moreover, we discussed tips to properly store instant mashed potatoes.
