Do mashed sweet potatoes reheat well?

Quick Answer

Yes, mashed sweet potatoes generally reheat very well and can be just as delicious reheated as when freshly made. The key is to store and reheat them properly to maintain their taste and texture. Some tips for reheating mashed sweet potatoes successfully include:

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days maximum.

Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until hot throughout.
Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to loosen the texture if needed.
Alternatively, reheat in a saucepan over medium low heat, adding more milk/broth to prevent scorching.

Add extra spices and herbs before serving to boost the flavor.
Avoid reheating more than once.

With a little care, leftover mashed sweet potatoes can be revived into a side that’s just as comforting and delicious as when you first made them. Read on for more details and tips!

Explaining Why Mashed Sweet Potatoes Reheat Well

There are a few reasons why properly stored and reheated mashed sweet potatoes retain their texture and flavor so well:

Low Moisture Content

Unlike a food like mashed russet potatoes, sweet potatoes have a lower moisture content. This makes them less prone to becoming watery or soggy when reheated. The natural sugars in sweet potatoes also help them hold their shape better.

Natural Starchiness

Sweet potatoes have a decent amount of starch, which acts as a natural binder when mashed. This allows the mashed sweet potatoes to reform well when reheated. The starch helps lock in the flavor and smooth texture.

Cohesive Texture

When mashed, sweet potatoes have a smooth, velvety texture that tends to reheat cohesively. As long as they are not overmashed initially, the potatoes should come back together nicely when reheated without separation or clumping.

Compatibility with Dairy

Ingredients like butter and milk are often added to mashed sweet potatoes. The dairy solids help stabilize the mash during storage and reheating by inhibiting separation. The milk proteins and fat coat the potato starch granules.

Spices Enhance Flavor

Seasonings like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and brown sugar used in sweet potato mash also help preserve the flavor, even after reheating. The spices warm back up and provide great taste.

How to Store Leftover Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Proper storage is crucial to ensure mashed sweet potatoes reheat well later on. Here are some tips:

Store mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Plastic wrap directly on the surface also works well.
Press plastic wrap on the surface of the mash before sealing the container. This prevents oxidation.

Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Place in the coolest part of the fridge, away from the air vent where vegetables can dry out.
Freeze for longer term storage. Freeze in airtight containers or plastic bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Avoid storing sweet potato mash at room temperature as bacteria can multiply quickly.

If stored properly in the refrigerator, mashed sweet potatoes retain their texture, color, and flavor well when reheated later on.

Reheating Methods for Mashed Sweet Potatoes

You can reheat leftover mashed sweet potatoes using several different methods. Here are some of the most common and effective reheating techniques:

Microwave

The microwave provides a quick and easy way to reheat mashed sweet potatoes.

Transfer mashed sweet potatoes to a microwave-safe dish. Remove any plastic wrap.
Reheat in 30 second intervals until heated through, stirring between each.

Watch carefully to prevent overheating and drying out the potatoes.
Stir in a splash of milk or broth if the potatoes seem dry.
Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

On the Stovetop

For a more gradual reheating, use the stovetop.

Transfer mashed sweet potatoes to a saucepan over medium low heat.
Stir frequently with a silicone spatula to prevent scorching on the bottom.

Add small amounts of milk or broth if the potatoes start to stick to the pan.
Heat through until steaming hot, about 5-10 minutes.
Remove from heat and serve.

In the Oven

Baking in the oven also evenly reheats a batch of mashed sweet potatoes.

Transfer mashed sweet potatoes to a casserole dish.
Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.

Stir halfway and add milk or broth to moisten if needed.

All these methods work well to revive leftover mashed sweet potato goodness!

Tips for the Best Results Reheating

Follow these tips to get the best results when reheating mashed sweet potatoes:

Reheat gently to prevent scorching or drying out.
Add more milk, broth, or even butter to improve moistness and smoothness.
Stir frequently when reheating to distribute heat evenly.

If reheating in the microwave, use 30 second intervals for more control.
Check for hot spots and stir thoroughly before serving.
Add any extra herbs, spices, brown sugar, or other mix-ins after reheating.

Adjusting the consistency with extra liquid and stirring helps yield mashed sweet potatoes almost as good as when first prepared.

Certain Ingredients May Cause Issues

While plain mashed sweet potatoes reheat beautifully, certain additions may cause the reheated results to suffer:

Excess dairy like cream, sour cream, or cream cheese can break down.

Vegetables like roasted garlic can become bitter and harsh tasting.
Too much added sugar may crystallize upon reheating.
Including mashed regular potatoes makes the mash more prone to glueyness.

Mashing too finely initially produces a gluey, gummy texture when reheated.

Keeping the ingredient list simple helps ensure your mashed sweet potatoes reheat well.

How Long Do Mashed Sweet Potatoes Last In the Fridge?

When properly stored, here is how long leftover mashed sweet potatoes last in the refrigerator:

In an airtight container: 3 to 4 days
Wrapped in plastic wrap or foil: 3 to 4 days
In a resealable plastic bag: 3 to 4 days

The potential for bacteria growth increases after 3-4 days, so mashed sweet potatoes are best eaten within that timeframe.

Can You Freeze and Reheat Mashed Sweet Potatoes?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to freeze cooked mashed sweet potatoes for later reheating. Here are some freezing tips:

Let mashed sweet potatoes cool completely before freezing.

Portion into freezer bags or airtight containers, leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace.
Flatten bags or containers to freeze evenly in thin layers.
Seal tightly, label, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frozen mashed sweet potatoes may need extra liquid added when reheated to restore smooth, creamy texture. But they still maintain great flavor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these tips to avoid common pitfalls when reheating mashed sweet potatoes:

Don’t reheat more than once. Quality deteriorates with multiple reheatings.
Avoid microwave “hot spots” by stirring every 30 seconds and rotating dish.
Prevent scorching on the stovetop by using medium-low heat and stirring constantly.

Refrigerate within 2 hours after cooking. Don’t leave at room temperature.
Undercooking initially makes the mash more likely to separate and become watery.
Overbeating the potatoes initially or mashing too finely results in glueyness.

Adding too much dairy can cause curdling, separation, and off flavors.

With proper handling and reheating, leftover mashed sweet potatoes can be just as delicious as the fresh version. Avoid common mistakes for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you reheat mashed sweet potatoes in the slow cooker?

Yes, mashed sweet potatoes can be reheated in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Add some extra liquid such as broth to prevent scorching.

Do you add milk when reheating mashed sweet potatoes?

Adding a small splash of milk or broth when reheating is recommended to help loosen the texture of the sweet potatoes if needed. Stir it in well to evenly distribute.

Can mashed sweet potatoes be reheated in the oven?

Mashed sweet potatoes reheat very well in the oven. Transfer to a casserole dish and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check for dryness and add milk or broth as needed.

Do mashed sweet potatoes freeze well?

Yes, mashed sweet potatoes freeze excellently. Let cool completely before freezing in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Can you reheat mashed sweet potatoes in an instant pot?

It is possible but not ideal. Pressure cooking can make the potatoes overcook and become gluey. Slow cook function on low for 1-2 hours works better if reheating in an instant pot.

Conclusion

With proper refrigeration and reheating, leftover mashed sweet potatoes can retain their irresistible creamy texture and sweet flavor when enjoyed again later. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for best results. Adjust consistency as needed with milk or broth and enhance flavor with extra spices. Follow proper storage times and reheating techniques, and your leftover holiday or weekday mashed sweet potato side can be just as comforting the second time around. Just be sure to avoid common mistakes like overbeating initially or overcooking when reheated. With a little TLC, you can reinvent those leftover spuds into another delicious meal.