How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Last and the Best Ways to Store Them
How long do sweet potatoes last? How you store them makes a difference. In the fridge, cooked ones will only last a few days. Sweet potatoes can last even longer if you freeze them. This article talks about the best ways to store them, how to tell when they're bad, and easy ways to keep them fresh.
Crunch Smarter – Snack on Avocado Oil Sweet Potato Chips!
How Long Until Sweet Potatoes Are Bad?
Raw vs. Cooked Shelf Life
If you store them right, raw sweet potatoes will last longer than cooked ones. Uncooked, whole sweet potatoes will last the longest in a cool, dry place. Cooked versions go bad faster and need to be refrigerated right away.
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Whole raw sweet potatoes: Can last up to 2 weeks at room temperature in a dry place, or up to 1 month in a root cellar or another dark place with good air flow.
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Cut raw sweet potatoes: Can last 2–3 days if you refrigerate raw sweet potatoes and submerged in cold water and the water is changed daily.
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Cooked sweet potatoes: In a shallow, airtight container or zip-top bag, they will last about 5 days in the fridge.
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Frozen cooked sweet potatoes: Can last up to 12 months for best quality when packed tightly in freezer bags and stored at 0°F.
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Boiled sweet potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, or sliced sweet potatoes: should be frozen in individual servings to avoid thawing and refreezing.
Best Storage Methods
Sweet potatoes last longer and taste better when they are stored in the right way. Controlling temperature, moisture, and airflow are all important. If you store them right, they will keep their texture and not get hard in the middle or lose their sweetness over time.
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Temperature: Keep sweet potatoes somewhere cool, between 55°F and 60°F. Don't put uncooked sweet potatoes in the fridge to keep the middle from getting hard.
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Moisture control: Keep them in a dry area because excess moisture can promote bacteria growth and mold.
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Airflow: Keep uncooked sweet potatoes out of airtight containers and put them in a basket, a paper bag, or a box with holes in the sides.
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For cooked sweet potatoes: Store in a shallow airtight container or zip top bag and do not leave cooked sweet potatoes at room temperature for more than two hours to maintain food safety.
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Freezing tips: For sliced sweet potatoes, boil them until soft, let them cool, and then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, move the potatoes to freezer bags.
How to Know if a Sweet Potato Has Gone Bad?
Visual and Texture Cues
The skin of a fresh sweet potato is smooth and firm. It's easy to tell when something is going bad. Most of the time, a sweet potato is no longer fresh if its color, texture, or spots have changed.
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Soft spots or mushy texture: Indicates breakdown of flesh.
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Shriveled skin: Shows loss of moisture and reduced taste.
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Dark spots or black marks: Can be signs of rot.
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Sprouts with wrinkles: Means the sweet potato is old but still possibly edible if firm.
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Mold or oozing liquid: Indicates spoilage, toss immediately.
Smell and Taste Changes
If the smell or taste changes, it's time to throw it away. If the sweet potato smells sour, bitter, or musty, or if it has lost its sweetness, it's past its best.
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Off or sour smell: A sign of bacteria growth.
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Bitter or strange taste: May happen in sprouted sweet potatoes with high glycoalkaloids.
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Loss of sweetness: Signals the sweet potato is past its prime.
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Metallic or earthy odor: Can occur in spoiled sweet potatoes, avoid eating.
Can You Still Eat Sweet Potatoes That Have Sprouted?
Safety Factors
A sweet potato isn't always unsafe just because it sprouts. How the sprouting matter looks and how much of it there is. Always smell and check the firmness before you decide to eat.
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Small sprouts with firm flesh: Safe to eat after removing sprouts.
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Long, thick sprouts with wrinkled skin: Likely lower in quality and taste; toss if texture is soft.
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High glycoalkaloid levels: Large sprouts can increase bitterness and cause stomach upset if eaten in big amounts.
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Food safety rule: If unsure and the sweet potato smells bad or feels mushy, toss it out.
Preparation Tips
If the sweet potato flesh is still fresh, you can cook it. Taking out the sprouts and cooking immediately helps keep the food's taste and safety.
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Trim sprouts: Use a knife or peeler to remove sprouts and any eyes.
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Peel if needed: Especially if the skin looks aged or spotted.
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Cook quickly: Roast in the oven, mash, boil, or turn into fried cubes once trimmed.
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Add flavor: Use butter, carrots, or other vegetables to enhance taste in mashed potatoes or stews.
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Avoid storing sprouted sweet potatoes: Cook and eat them right away to preserve quality.
Are Sweet Potatoes Healthier Than Regular Potatoes?
Nutrition Comparison
Regular potatoes and sweet potatoes are similar, but they have different nutrients. Both taste good and can be used in many different meals.
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Calories and carbs: Sweet potatoes have slightly fewer calories and carbs than white potatoes.
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Vitamins: Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants, while white potatoes offer more potassium.
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Fiber: Sweet potatoes have more fiber, which supports digestion and can help you feel full.
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Glycemic index: The glycemic index of sweet potatoes is usually lower, which means they have a slower effect on blood sugar.
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Minerals: Iron, magnesium, and other minerals are found in both types, but the amounts vary by type.
Health Benefits
For some diets, choosing sweet potatoes can be good in certain ways. Their fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants are good for your health and help you eat well.
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Eye health: Vitamin A supports vision and skin health.
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Immune system: Vitamin C and antioxidants help protect cells.
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Heart health: Fiber and potassium aid blood pressure control.
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Weight management: Higher fiber can help reduce overeating.
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Diet flexibility: Works in baked dishes, mashed potatoes, soups, and fried sides without losing nutrition.
FullyHealthy: Freshness, Storage, and Flavor
About Our Site
You can get tips and products from FullyHealthy on how to store, cook, and enjoy sweet, fresh, and healthy food. Our goal is to make food safety and storage simple for everyone.
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Expert tips: Advice on how to store sweet potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables in a dark place or cool, dry area.
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Freshness focus: Help you extend shelf life for uncooked sweet potatoes, cooked sweet potatoes, and more.
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Cooking ideas: From boiled sweet potatoes to oven-baked fries, we share easy methods that taste great.
Our Products
FullyHealthy carefully chooses a range of options, ingredients, and sweet potato-based foods that will help you keep your food fresh and tasty.
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Farmer’s Market Organic Sweet Potato 15 oz: Canned organic sweet potato puree for easy baking, soups, and side dishes.
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Jackson’s Avocado Oil Sweet Potato Chips 5 oz: Crispy kettle-cooked chips made with avocado oil for a satisfying snack.
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Wild Zora Quick Quinoa Meal: Protein-rich quinoa meal with beef, vegetables, and sweet potato for quick cooking.
Final Thoughts
To keep food safe and fresh, you need to know how long do sweet potatoes last. Store raw sweet potatoes in a dark place and cooked ones in a shallow container that won't let air in. This will stop bacteria from growing and keep the sweet potatoes' great taste. Freeze sweet potatoes or freeze cooked sweet potatoes to extend shelf life and avoid waste. Always store sweet potatoes right and eat them at their best for a delicious meal every time.
FAQs
How long do sweet potatoes last and store cooked sweet potatoes?
They last about two weeks at room temperature and store cooked sweet potatoes about five days in the fridge.
Can cooked sweet potatoes be frozen in freezer bags?
Yes, freeze cooked sweet potatoes in freezer bags or zip top bag for up to one year.
Do raw sweet potatoes in a root cellar have longer shelf life?
Yes, raw sweet potatoes in a root cellar or dark place can last up to one month.
Can you freeze sliced sweet potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes with lemon juice?
Yes, freeze sliced sweet potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes with lemon juice to prevent turning brown.
Can boiled sweet potatoes or fried potatoes stay fresh more than two hours?
No, boiled sweet potatoes or fried potatoes should not be left more than two hours to avoid bacteria growth.
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