Can you freeze mashed potatoes? Yes, with butter
Mashed potatoes freeze well for 2 to 3 months when they are made with butter or cream. How to freeze them in portions and reheat them smooth.
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Yes, mashed potatoes freeze well, especially when they are made with butter, cream, milk or cheese. The fat coats the starch and keeps the texture smooth after thawing. Frozen in portions, they keep their best quality for 2 to 3 months, like other cooked side dishes. Plain boiled potatoes, by contrast, turn watery and grainy in the freezer.
How do you freeze mashed potatoes?
- Make them a little richer than usual: an extra knob of butter or splash of cream helps.
- Cool them completely in the fridge first.
- Scoop portions onto a lined tray, freeze for a couple of hours, then bag them; or spoon them into freezer bags and press flat.
- Press out the air, seal and label with the date. See how to prevent freezer burn.
How do you reheat frozen mashed potatoes?
- On the stove: warm them in a pan over low heat with a splash of milk, stirring often, until hot and smooth.
- In the microwave: cover and heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring between each, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- In the oven: thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake in a covered dish at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes.
They should be steaming hot all the way through, 165°F (74°C). Stir in a little butter at the end to bring back the texture. More in how to reheat meal prep.
How long do mashed potatoes last in the fridge?
3 to 4 days, refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. UK guidance says eat leftovers within 2 days.
Can you freeze other potatoes?
Roast and baked potatoes freeze acceptably for 1 to 2 months and reheat best in a hot oven or air fryer; see air fryer meal prep. Raw potatoes do not freeze well unless they are blanched first. Potatoes in soups and stews freeze fine when cooked into the dish.
How do you use mashed potatoes in meal prep?
Pair a portion with a protein that freezes well: baked turkey meatballs in sauce, or a scoop of big-batch turkey chili. Use frozen mash as a topping for cottage or shepherd's pie. For other freezer ideas, see which meal prep foods freeze well.
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Not well if it is made with mayonnaise: it separates and turns watery. Vinegar slaw freezes better. How long coleslaw keeps in the fridge instead.
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Can you freeze cooked bacon? Yes, and here is how
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