How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes in the Microwave

Reheating Mashed Potatoes In The Oven

Remember that nothing with mashed potatoes should be done at a very high temperature. It is also crucial when reheating in the oven. Here are the steps you need to follow to get the silky soft taste of mashed potatoes as you had in the beginning.

Step 1: Preheat Oven to 350 °F

Set the oven to heat to a maximum of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and no more than that. While the oven heats up, you have time to prepare the mashed potatoes.

Step 2: Add Some Moisture to your Potatoes

This is actually the most crucial step. If you have ever had cold mashed potatoes, you know that they dry out and become lumpy. The goal is to add moisture and mix well to get a creamy taste. 

Therefore, you can add milk and butter, broth or roast meat sauce, whatever you want or have on hand. Determine the amount yourself, depending on how much mashed potatoes you have. It is important to add enough cream to the potatoes.

Step 3: Bake Mashed Potatoes for 20 Minutes

Put the prepared mashed potatoes in a baking dish and cover it. The steam inside the pan will help heat the potatoes evenly. 

If you have a large amount of potatoes, you can stir it in the middle of the cycle to ensure good results. Mashed potatoes should be ready in about 20 minutes.

How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes

Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Total: 25 minutes

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How to Store Leftover Mashed Potatoes

The best way to store leftover mashed potatoes is in an oven-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid placed in the fridge. This way, when you are ready to reheat your potatoes, you only have to stir in your extra oil and liquid and pop them in the oven.

If you plan to reheat a small amount at a time, portion the mashed potatoes out into individual servings and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. 

FAQs

Is it safe to reheat mashed potatoes? Yes, you can reheat them once, and the result will be satisfying. However, we recommend that you reheat only mashed potatoes that you prepared yourself, not ordered in take-out. It doesn’t have to be a bad quality of potatoes in restaurants, but you never can be sure if they have reheated it once already. How long are leftover mashed potatoes good for? It would be best to use it in a day or two. Experts say that mashed potatoes can be good up to three days maximum, but rather don’t stretch the boundaries and risks. Can I eat mashed potatoes that were left out overnight? Please don’t. It’s really not a safe decision. Any processed food that’s been left on the counter for too long is a paradise for bacteria. There is no need to risk food poisoning. If this happens to you, rather throw away the old mashed potatoes and cook a new one. Can I use mashed potatoes for other dishes? Certainly yes. In addition to being a great side dish to the main course, you can also use mashed potatoes to prepare new innovative ideas. For example, you can make gnocchi from old mashed potatoes. And it will be excellent.

Conclusion

If you have leftover turkey or some other meat from the main lunch, you have most likely overdosed with the mashed potatoes as well, so you have leftovers.

You don’t have to throw it away in any way. Store it in the fridge, and feel free to reheat it the next day along with the main course. You will achieve the best results using the oven, but you can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave, too.

Up Next: How To To Reheat Potato Fries

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How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes in the Microwave

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If getting the spuds on the table in a jiffy is your goal, then learning how to reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave is likely on your to-do list. While not the best way to reheat mashed potatoes, it certainly works in a pinch. Just make sure your spuds are heated all the way through before serving. To help you perfect this method, Sidoti shares five steps to reheating mashed potatoes in the microwave.  

1. Place the mashed potatoes in a microwave-safe dish. 
2. Stir in a small amount of cream. This helps to keep the mashed potatoes moist. 
3. Cook in the microwave at half-power for two to three minutes.
4. Uncover, stir, and taste for heat. 
5. Repeat as needed until the mashed potatoes reach the desired temperature. 

Use an Airtight Container or Resealable Plastic Bag

If you’re wondering if you can store mashed potatoes in the freezer, they actually freeze super well. Freeze them in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. By following a proper storage method, your mashed potatoes will last in the freezer for 10 to 12 months.

Dont Overheat

And it turns out, the best way to do that is by managing the temperature. In other words, don't let your mashed potatoes get too hot when you're reheating them. And how hot is too hot? The answer is, the gelatinization starts to occur at 131 F and up to around 185 F, depending on the type of starch. Which is not to say that you need to use a thermometer to measure the temperature, but simply that your goal when reheating mashed potatoes is to try to keep them from getting too hot. 

Note that different potatoes contain different starches. Starchy or mealy potatoes like russet potatoes have more amylose than amylopectin, so they are more prone to gelatinization. Waxy potatoes like Yukon golds contain more amylopectin. They can get stiff, but it takes more heat. Obviously if you’re reheating leftovers, you can’t go back and change what kind of potatoes you use, but it’s still good to know for next time. 

What’s the best way to reheat mashed potatoes?

“The easiest way to reheat mashed potatoes well is to cover and bake at 350 degrees [Fahrenheit] for about a half-hour,” says Aubin.

If you’re feeling a little more ambitious, she also shared a completely different—but equally delicious—method. Slice the cold mashers into one-inch slabs and fry them in a little butter. “It creates a little brown crust as the inside gets warm and melty,” she says.

Parker’s method of choice, meanwhile, is different from Aubin’s, so we’ve got plenty of options. “The best way to properly reheat mashed potatoes is by warming them in a pan over low heat and adding cream and a knob of butter while stirring it with a spoon to ensure that the potatoes are creamy and smooth,” he says.

RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods.

Reheating Mashed Potatoes in Microwave: Conclusion

Reheating mashed potatoes in the microwave allows you to keep them moist and soft without scorching or burning them in a pan on the stovetop. To make sure the mashed potatoes stay warm and are still nice and creamy after reheating, cover with plastic wrap before microwaving.

Reheating mashed potatoes in a microwave can take anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes depending on the amount of mashed potatoes and appliance wattage.

Simply, scoop mashed potato onto a microwave-safe container and add a splash of milk or cream to improve consistency and keep the pureed potato moist so they don’t dry out.

Furthermore, cover the bowl with a microwavable lid to prevent steam from escaping and help to reduce reheating time. 

Start microwaving for 60 seconds at a time on 50% power to gently and slowly reheat, which will help to avoid from overheating the mashed potatoes. Stir every 30 seconds and continue microwaving until the temperature reaches 74℃ or 165℉ for it to be safe to consume.

Reheating potato puree in the microwave is quick and easy. Within a couple minutes the leftover mashed potatoes are steaming hot and ready to eat.

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