Let's ask the cook: how long does mashed potatoes last in the refrigerator?

Potato dishes are some of the most popular, including mashed potatoes. Simple to prepare and yet delicious, it is a favorite side dish in many families.

But if too much of it has been prepared, the problem arises of how to preserve mashed potatoes, and how long the finished product can be stored in the refrigerator.

The importance of maintaining shelf life

Dishes made from potatoes It is recommended to eat immediately after preparation. An expired product or one that has been stored incorrectly can become not only tasteless over time, but also be hazardous to health.

When kept in the finished dish for a long time, harmful microorganisms begin to develop, and the appearance and taste decrease.

Shelf life of the dish

The shelf life of the finished dish depends on what components were used in its preparation and where the cooked potatoes will be stored.

The higher the air temperature, the shorter the shelf life will be.. According to the maintenance rules, cooked food should be kept at a temperature range from +4 to -2? C.

A product that has expired cannot be used for food.

From natural potatoes

For a side dish made from fresh potatoes at home without milk or cream, The average shelf life is:

• at room temperature – a couple of hours;
• in the refrigerator - up to 3 days;
• in the freezer - up to 6 days when cooled to -18? C.

If the dish contains raw eggs that have not been heat-treated, the puree cannot be stored, even in the refrigerator. If the composition contains dairy products, then the storage period is no more than a day.

Besides, You should not freeze chopped potatoes in large portions.. The optimal thickness of the product layer when frozen in the chamber is 3 cm. Defrosting should be as fast as possible (in the oven or in the microwave) so that copious condensation does not form.

For catering establishments, according to SanPin standards, puree storage is possible for no more than 12 hours.

Instant cooking

Instant puree is designed for immediate use. This product is in demand among dynamic people who want to save time.

If the instant product remains uneaten, it can be stored for no more than three hours. After this, it loses its taste. This dish cannot be frozen.

It is not advisable to reheat puree made from powder.

How to store it correctly?

To prevent the puree from spoiling ahead of time, when storing the product The following circumstances should be taken into account:

1. Only place a completely cooled dish in the refrigerator.
2. The side dish should be prepared from high quality ingredients.
3. Before placing the chopped potatoes in the refrigerator, they must be placed in a hermetically sealed container - a plastic container with a lid, a glass jar with a nylon lid, etc.

To make the puree tasty, you need to follow these rules:

• use ripened potatoes that are not damaged;
• salt is added at the stage of cooking the vegetable;
• for better taste, chopped potatoes are placed in cold water, which is gradually brought to a boil;
• before adding additional components to the composition, they must be brought to room temperature, and the milk must be heated to a warm state;
• The best way to achieve the required consistency of the dish is to beat it by hand, keeping the whole process under control.

At the first sign of spoilage, the product should be thrown away.

This video will show you how to make delicious mashed potatoes:

What can you do with the leftovers?

If too many potatoes were cooked, then the unused product can be added to other recipes.

Popular recipes include:

• muffins with added cheese;
• pies;
• potato pancakes;
• pies, etc.

You can find out what can be prepared from leftover puree from the video:

How to extend the deadline?

It is very difficult to extend the shelf life of a finished product. The following recommendations will help with this:

1. Store only in the refrigerator.
2. The container must have a lid.
3. Do not use packaging that can oxidize upon contact with puree as containers.
4. If the container does not have a lid, you can wrap it in cling film, but do not leave it open.

You can learn more about the features of puree storage from the video:

Signs that a dish is spoiled

When storing puree in the refrigerator, it may deteriorate. A variety of reasons can lead to this:

• use of low-quality products in preparation;
• storage in violation of conditions of detention;
• proximity to other products that affect the shelf life;
• storage period is too long.

As a result the product may acquire characteristics unusual for the dish:

• unpleasant odor;
• change in consistency;
• liquid separation;
• color change.

Possibility of poisoning from expired food

When stored in puree, chemical processes begin to occur. If the product sits for a long time, pathogenic microorganisms begin to develop in the finished dish.

This is typical even for very high quality products. When the number of microorganisms begins to increase, the food is already dangerous for good health.

Eating expired food, even if it has undergone repeated heat treatment, can lead to disruption of the digestive system and poisoning. To protect yourself from possible problems, you should follow the rules for storing the product and, if you suspect spoilage, throw it away.

Conclusion

How long mashed potatoes are stored is determined by the conditions under which they are kept, the method of preparation and the quality of the products used. Knowing all the features of the organization of the process, you can extend the shelf life of a ready-made dish.