Last Updated on July 3, 2022 by
When you purchase a large quantity of sweet potatoes, you don’t want them to go bad. Knowing how long sweet potatoes last, both cooked and raw, can help you avoid throwing them away. After extensive investigation, we have defined the shelf life of sweet potatoes under a range of settings. So, how long do sweet potatoes last?
Raw sweet potatoes may be stored for three weeks to a month, depending on the way it is stored. Sweet potatoes will only survive a few hours at room temperature after being cooked. They will, however, survive three to five days if refrigerated in the refrigerator.
How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Last
In most circumstances, the shelf life of sweet potatoes is determined by how they are stored. Raw tubers may be stored in a pantry at a low temperature for many months and stay flavorful and healthful.
You will have great meals for a year if you decide to can them. On the other hand, an open can only be kept in the fridge for a week. On the other hand, refrigerated fries are only edible for two or three days, although they may be frozen and kept for up to six months. Finally, cooked sweet potatoes may be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or in the freezer for longer storage.
How To Tell If Sweet Potatoes Are Bad
Sweet potatoes usually go rotten due to the natural aging process. When stored improperly, light and moisture may hasten the decaying process. Let’s go through all of the indicators of tuber rotting.
Smell
Any stench indicates that your sweet potatoes have gone rotten, and you should discard them.
Holes
There’s no need to worry if you see holes after chopping tubers. Variations in temperature and moisture during maturation are usually to blame. Such sweet potatoes, however, will be pithy.
Color
The discoloration is one of the first symptoms that tubers are no longer edible. Their meat becomes white, orange, yellowish, or purple, while their skin turns white, yellowish, brown, purple, red, or black.
Texture
When sweet potatoes get mushy, you know they’ve gone rotten. Typically, their tips soften before becoming brown or black. The taste of the whole tuber will be impacted as soon as these sections deteriorate. Wrinkles may be seen on the surface in certain circumstances. The cause is moisture loss, and such tubers are no longer edible.
Growths and Spots
When soft brown or black patches appear on the surfaces of sweet potatoes, you may be sure that the tubers have started to rot. Because the spots are merely superficially situated, you may use the vegetables after cutting them away. Look for any unusual growths on the peel and discard any tubers you find.
Sprouts
On the sweet potato skin, there are so-called eyeballs. Any growth from these places will reduce the quality of the tubers. However, this does not indicate your vegetables are damaged, and you may consume them without concern. The main issue is that sprouts draw nutrients from the tubers and lose nutritional value over time. In any case, avoid eating sprouts and remove them before beginning to prepare the dish.
Black Rot and Mold
If you see large amounts of white or green mold on your sweet potatoes, throw them away immediately. You may boil the tubers after gently peeling them if you have a tiny quantity. Surface mold, in most circumstances, has little effect on inside components.
When you discover black spots on peeled tubers, you know your sweet potatoes are contaminated and unfit to eat. Fungi induce black rot when tubers are in the soil, although the effects are not obvious immediately. It will produce harsh and flavorless vegetables.
How To Store Sweet Potatoes
1. How To Store Sweet Potatoes In Cellar
Our forefathers cellared vegetables, including sweet potatoes. Many of us nowadays do not have access to such an opportunity. You may keep these vegetables if you are fortunate enough to have a cellar. Sweet potatoes should be placed in a well-ventilated basket. To maximize shelf life, keep them at 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) and in complete darkness.
2. How To Store Sweet Potatoes In Pantry
Fresh
To begin, you must purchase well-handled undamaged sweet potatoes with hard, tapered ends harvested promptly after harvest. Allow your vegetables to dry completely before placing them in a paper bag, basket, or string bag that allows enough air circulation. Place your sweet potatoes in a dark, dry pantry with a steady temperature of 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Be careful not to keep them near onions since they will rot faster.
Canned
It will be enough to keep unopened cans of sweet potatoes in the pantry. They will last for approximately a year under such circumstances.
3. How To Store Sweet Potatoes In Fridge
Fresh
It is not suggested to store sweet potatoes in the refrigerator because cold temperatures cause white woody patches on their flesh. You will get insipid vegetables with poor texture this way.
Cut
Many women chop sweet potatoes in the morning, so they are ready to cook when they get home from work. It is a practical approach to make things easy for yourself, but ensure you do it correctly. Store chopped tubers in water in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Slices should be used within 24 hours, although they may be stored for a few days. Be aware that the vivid orange color may fade after a day, and an acid taste will develop with time.
Cooked
The easiest way to keep your cooked sweet potatoes delicious is to store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Their flesh will remain brilliant orange in this manner, but the outside edges will darken with time. To avoid color change, mix lemon juice into mashed sweet potatoes before keeping them in the fridge. Furthermore, always allow this meal to cool for 20 to 30 minutes before keeping it.
4. How To Store Sweet Potatoes In Freezer
However, fresh sweet potatoes cannot be stored in the freezer; flash-frozen sweet potato fries may. You may also freeze prepared meals in an airtight container to preserve them from moisture.
Can You Freeze Sweet Potatoes?
You should not freeze fresh sweet potatoes since you will lose most of their nutritional value. It is, however, a wonderful alternative for storing fries and cooked potatoes since you need to defrost and reheat them to obtain a delicious supper quickly.
The method is straightforward. Prepare the sweet potatoes and cut them into tiny pieces. After approximately a half-hour at room temperature, please place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bags.
Finally, carefully label your packets, place your vegetables in the freezer, and utilize them as required. Sweet potatoes may be stored for months without losing texture or flavor.
If you want to use frozen raw tubers for mashing, put them in the freezer. In this situation, it is preferable to peel and chop them into little cubes before sorting them on a tray. Place frozen chunks in an airtight bag and store until required.
Can You Store Raw Sweet Potatoes On The Counter?
Sure! Aside from the pantry, you may keep them on the counter, at room temperature, or in the cupboard. This is perfect if you reside in a chilly temperate climate or want to store for a short period. Keep them away from traffic, heat sources, and pests. These uncooked tubers will last 2 to 6 weeks on the counter at normal room temperature.
Should You Keep Sweet Potato Peels?
Sweet potato peels may be saved and consumed. These provide extra nourishment to your snacks when combined with the proper recipe. If you’re going to consume them, don’t boil them; you’ll lose a lot of water-soluble vitamins and taste.
Save the peels for your compost if you don’t like them. These are excellent fertilizers for your garden, providing nutrients to help your plants grow stronger and healthier. If you do not intend to use the peels within the average 2-3 days in the fridge, you may freeze them for up to a month before using them.
Are Sweet Potatoes Good for You?
Sweet potatoes are a healthier alternative to regular potatoes. In terms of flexibility and health advantages, they outperform most other vegetables. They include disease-fighting agents and cancer-fighting capabilities in their vitamins and minerals, strengthening the immune system and making you healthy from the inside out. They are a superfood.
These potatoes may be eaten regularly to help enhance your vitamin and mineral intake and keep you healthy. They are also good for your intestines. They include fiber, which helps produce good bacteria in your intestines, reducing cancer growth.
Sweet potatoes’ high fiber content may help you lose weight in moderation and regulate your sugar levels to prevent diabetes or keep your sugar under control. These are not low-carb veggies. They are also high in vitamins A and C, making them a good source for decreasing inflammation.
Sweet potatoes contain more natural sugars than russet potatoes but have greater nutritional value, including fiber and potassium. These potatoes are easier to digest since they contain water-soluble fiber.
Conclusion On How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Last
You don’t want to lose a fresh batch of sweet potatoes you’ve purchased or gathered. You may ensure that your sweet potatoes last as long as possible by following these instructions. Always check to ensure that they are not rotten before consuming them. Eating rotten veggies might cause serious sickness. How long do sweet potatoes last also depends on how it is stored.
