Yes, You Can Freeze Mashed Potatoes. Here’s How.

  • You can freeze leftover mashed potatoes for up to 2 months.
  • Mashed potatoes will retain their texture if they are given extra fat before freezing, such as butter or cream.
  • Frozen potatoes can be reheated in a range of ways: on the stovetop, in the oven, microwave or slow cooker.
  • Visit Insider’s Home & Kitchen Reference library for more stories.

Mashed potatoes are one of those crowd-pleasing side dishes that you can never quite have too much of — until you do make too much, and you’re not sure what to do with the leftovers. Experts advise that you can freeze those potatoes. You should be aware that freezing potatoes may alter their texture.

“The liquid absorbed by the potatoes while cooking will form ice crystals when they are frozen,”Martha’s Vineyard- and Boston-based personal chefs Carlos Montoya. “This may make them mushy, soggy, or grainy.”

Montoya says that there are things that you can do to help mashed potatoes retain their consistency. For one, he advises always using Idaho (russet) or Yukon gold potatoes — they freeze better due to their low moisture and starch content.

Experts share their top tips for freezing, thawing and reheating mashed potato.

How to freeze mashed potatoes

A wooden spoonful of mashed potatoes help perpendicularly to the camera

Split large batches into smaller pieces for freezing.

JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images


Always freeze mashed potatoes for safety. Within two hoursThey can be cooked. This will stop bacteria growth that could cause foodborne disease.

Petranka Atanasova (food blogger and recipe developer behind) Sunglow KitchenMontoya recommends that mashed potatoes be placed in a plastic bag or freezer-safe container. Montoya suggests that you divide leftovers into 1-cup portions and freeze them. This makes it easy to thaw only the items you need.

Montoya states that the more air in a container, the better. This is to avoid freezer burn. Before sealing plastic bags, squeeze out any extra air. Montoya suggests that you either fill the containers up to the top or place a piece parchment paper on top of the potatoes before sealing the container.

How long does frozen mashed potato last?

The following is an extract from the US Department of Health & Human ServicesFrozen mashed potatoes can be kept for up to 2 months. However, Atanasova recommends eating them within a month — the more time the potatoes spend in the freezer, the more likely the consistency has been compromised.

Atanasova says that you can tell if your potatoes are bad by the way they have been thawed. You should throw them out if they smell bad or if the liquid separated from the solid.

How to heat frozen potatoes

A cast-iron skilled of baked mashed potatoes with a golden top

You can bake mashed potatoes in the oven to get a crispy crust.

Jordan Lye/Getty Images


Ideally, Montoya says you should thaw mashed potatoes by placing them in the refrigerator overnight — this way, they’ll not only heat up faster but also cook more evenly. Experts agree that you can still heat them from the freezer if you don’t have time.

Stovetop: Mix the mashed potatoes and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Montoya says to stir frequently so that the potatoes don’t burn on the bottom.

Microwave: Place mashed potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover them with a towel. Montoya recommends that they be microwaved at 50% power for a few minutes until they become hot.

Oven: Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Add the mashed potatoes in a bowl or pan that is oven-safe and cover with aluminum foil or a lid. They should be cooked for 18 to 20 mins, with stirring halfway through.

Slow cooker Atanasova advises that you first add a splash of cream to the slow cooker in order to prevent the potatoes from sticking. Next, add the mashed potatoes to the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours stirring every hour.

Insider’s takeaway

Mashed potatoes can be frozen for up two months. You can then reheat the leftovers and enjoy them for as long as you like.

It is best to preserve their texture by adding a little fat to them before freezing and minimizing their exposure to air in a plastic bag or container.

Refrozen meals can be heated on the stove, in the oven, microwave or slow cooker. The slow cooker method takes the longest while microwaving is the fastest — and cooking them on the stovetop will require the most attention, as you’ll need to keep stirring them.

No matter what method you choose, adding some milk or cream can help potatoes retain their texture.

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