Here's why. Preparing meals in bulk and reheating them is a great way to save time in the kitchen and can also help to reduce food waste. You might have heard the myth that you can only reheat food once before it becomes unsafe to eat.
Cooked mashed potatoes are a risky food for bacteria that can cause food poisoning because they contain moisture and contain some protein. So if mashed potatoes are cooked it is best to eat them within 3-4 days of cooking and reheated them to 165°F, this will kill any bacteria that may have formed.
If food has been hygienically prepared, cooled quickly after cooking (or reheating) and stored cold, reheating more than once should not increase the risk of illness. However, prolonged storage and repeated reheating will affect the taste, texture, and sometimes the nutritional quality of foods.
This is because the more times you cool and reheat food, the higher the risk of food poisoning. Bacteria can multiply when cooled too slowly or reheated insufficiently.
However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that food is only reheated once, so follow this guidance wherever possible. When you reheat food, you must ensure it is piping hot all the way through. This indicates that you have properly reheated it and the bacteria has been destroyed.
Empty the cold mashed potatoes into a medium saucepan or Dutch oven and set over low heat. Cover the potatoes and stir them occasionally until they are completely warmed through and smooth. Be sure to keep the heat low and stir, otherwise the potatoes may start to stick to the bottom of the pan and scorch.
When cooked potatoes are left out at room temperature or warmed up for a second time, they can take a toxic turn for the worst. Why? Warm temperatures promote the growth of the rare bacteria, botulism, that is commonly found in potatoes.
Well the Food Standards Agency recommends only reheating food once, but actually several times is fine as long as you do it properly. Though that is not likely to improve the taste.
Always reheat food until it is steaming hot all the way through (you should only do this once). Do not put food into hot holding without reheating it properly first. Check that reheated food is steaming hot all the way through. If the equipment seems to be working, reheat the dish for longer and then test it again.
BBC Good Food advises that you shouldn't reheat food more than once because repeatedly changing temperatures provide more opportunities for bacteria to grow and cause food poisoning.
After each reheating, leftovers will be safe in the fridge for an additional three to four days. Because the quality decreases each time food is reheated, it is best to reheat only the amount needed. Cooked foods that cannot be used within four days should be frozen for longer, safe storage.
It is safe to reheat frozen leftovers without thawing, either in a saucepan or microwave (in the case of a soup or stew) or in the oven or microwave (for example, casseroles and combination meals). Reheating will take longer than if the food is thawed first, but it is safe to do when time is short.
How long will they last? According to Healthline, mashed potatoes typically last three to four days in the fridge and up to a year when frozen, although the quality of mashed potatoes will not hold up once they have been frozen.
The BBC good food's home economist Steffi recommends keeping leftover mash in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze it for up to two months. When it comes to defrosting, leave it in the fridge overnight to thaw completely.
Like most leftovers, mashed potatoes are good for around 3 to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Potatoes without dairy ingredients may last slightly longer. When reheating your mashed potatoes, be sure to get the internal temperature up to 165 degrees before enjoying.
Reheat a Baked Potato in the Oven
The best way to reheat food is to use the same method you did when cooking it. Reheating a baked potato in the oven helps keep the potatoes from drying. Preheat the oven to 350°F and take the potatoes out of the fridge to reach room temperature.
Tips on serving rice safely
Keep rice in the fridge for no more than 1 day until reheating. When you reheat rice, always check that it's steaming hot all the way through. Do not reheat rice more than once.
Potatoes often house Clostridium botulinum, the botulism bacteria. When they're cooked and not immediately stored in the fridge, spores of the bacteria can multiply. 6 Microwaving the potatoes won't kill the bacteria either, so your second-day potatoes could cause an upset stomach.
Eating certain foods that have been reheated – whether it's by microwave or oven – can increase your risk of getting food poisoning, sickness and diarrhoea. To make sure those leftovers don't go to waste, make sure you're reheating them correctly and safely, or opting for a more creative way to reuse them.
The speediest way to reheat a baked potato is in the microwave, so if you're in a pinch, this is the method for you. We recommend cutting the potato in half and covering the cut sides with a damp paper towel, so that they warm all the way through and don't dry out.
Make-ahead mashed potatoes are a great option for the holidays. You can do nearly everything — boil, peel, and mash; stir in milk and salt — up to two days ahead. Before serving, reheat. Adding butter at the last minute makes them taste freshly mashed.
HEATING INSTRUCTIONS: Reomve lid to reheat in microwave 1-2 minutes, or place in oven safe container and cook at 325F oven about 20-30 minues, or until product reaches 165F internally.
Take your mashed potatoes out of the fridge and set them on the counter for about 20 minutes to bring them to room temperature. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, pop them in the oven, covered, for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.