How To Store Cooked Potatoes For Potato Salad

Store Cooked Potatoes

When cooked potatoes are stored the wrong way they tend to turn bad easily. Therefore, it is important to learn about the right techniques for storing cooked potatoes. Below is an article which focuses particularly on how to store cooked potatoes for potato salad. Carefully follow the steps in order to achieve satisfactory results.

Contents

Store cooked potatoes for potato salad in the fridge

NB: this method stores cooked potatoes for potato salad for 4 to 5 days. Therefore, you need to use them within that time frame to avoid disappointment.

Step 1

In order to store leftover cooked potatoes for potato salad you need to start by ensuring that they have cooled down. This is because if you place them in the fridge while hot they will eventually cause the temperature of the fridge to rise. This will then affect the shelf life of other foods in the fridge.

Step 2

Once the cooked potatoes for the potato salad have cooled down you have to place then in an air tight container or a freezer bag. If you are using a freezer bag make sure you take out as much air as possible before closing it.

Step 3

The last step is to store cooked potatoes for potato salad in the fridge. They will last for approximately 4 to 5 days.

Store cooked potatoes for potato salad in the freezer

NB: this method stores leftover cooked potatoes for potato salad for up to 6 months. So use this method if you really want to extend the shelf life of your cooked potatoes.

Step 1

In order to store leftover cooked potatoes for potato salad you need to start by letting the cool down at room temperature. This is because if you place them in the freezer while hot they will cause the temperature of the freezer to rise, thus creating a conducive environment for bacteria to grow in.

Step 2

Once the cooked potatoes for the potato salad have cooled down you need to divide them into meal sized portions. You should do this when storing a large amount of cooked potatoes. Dividing the cooked potatoes will help you in the long run since you can simply thaw individual portions instead of the whole batch of cooked potatoes.

Step 3

Take baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. Lay the cooked potatoes on top and place them in the freezer so that they can pre-freeze for 2 to 4 hours.

Step 4

Once the cooked potatoes have frozen, transfer them into freezer bags. Indicate on the freezer bags the date in which you are storing them in the freezer. This will really help you to recall when they are most likely to turn bad. You can also indicate how many people each portion serves. This will help you to remember just in case you forget.

Step 5

The last step is to store leftover cooked potatoes for potato salad in the freezer. They will last for 6 months.

Tips for storing cooked potatoes for potato salad in the fridge and freezer

  • Store cooked potatoes for potato salad within an hour or 2 after preparation. This is because if you leave them exposed to room temperature for a long time they might get infected by bacteria.
  • When storing cooked potatoes in the fridge make sure the temperature of the fridge is below 40F. If you are storing them in the freezer make sure the temperature is at 0 degrees. This will help to ensure that they do not face premature spoilage.
  • Always use an air tight container or freezer bags for storing cooked potatoes. This is because any exposure to air and moisture could actually cause them to turn bad.

Tips for cooking potatoes for potato salad

  • Avoid using starchy potatoes for making potato salad. This is mainly because they tend to fall apart especially when you are preparing the potato salad. Try using waxy potatoes instead. They will make a great potato salad.
  • When cooking potatoes for potato salad you need to cook them using cold water. This is because if you use hot water they will cook unevenly. The outside of the potatoes will be fully cooked while the insides will be undercooked.
  • Avoid overcooking potatoes for potato salad. This is because they will cause the potato salad to become mushy.
  • Do not undercook potatoes for potatoes salad as this will ruin the whole dish.
  • Always season the potatoes while you are cooking them. This is because once they are cooked it becomes hard to season them all the way through.

How to tell when cooked potatoes have turned bad

Appearance changes

In order to tell if your cooked potatoes have turned bad you need to look at their colour. If the cooked potatoes are becoming brown there is a chance that they are turning bad. Also look out for any moulds. If you see any then you need to throw the cooked potatoes away. This is because eating cooked potatoes that have moulds can lead to sickness.

Smell changes

The other sign that you can use to tell when your cooked potatoes have turned bad is the smell. Cooked potatoes that have turned bad release an unpleasant odour which you will not be able to miss.

Texture changes

Lastly look out for the texture of the cooked potatoes. If you notice that the cooked potatoes are becoming slimy then you definitely need to throw them away. Avoid eating cooked potatoes that show any of the highlighted signs. This is because you can become seriously ill.

Conclusion

Cooked potatoes for potato salad can be stored in the fridge or the freezer. The freezer is the best method for storing cooked potatoes for potato salad. This is because it preserves them for a long period of time whereas, the fridge only stores cooked potatoes for 4 to 5 days. Therefore, only store them in the fridge if you are certain you will make the potato salad within a few days.

Leave a Comment