Peeled sweet potatoes can last up to a week in the fridge when stored properly. To extend their shelf life, store them in a container with a tight-fitting lid or wrap them in plastic.
Once they've been cooked, however, they should go in a shallow airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge. They'll stay good there for about five days. You shouldn't leave cooked sweet potatoes at room temperature for more than two hours, as this can promote bacteria growth and cause food-borne illness.
Sweet potatoes: Peel and chop 3 to 4 days in advance. Store in a sealed bag or container with an airtight lid in the refrigerator.
The perfect baked sweet potato is simpler than you think. Lightly oiling the skin and sprinkling with a bit of salt makes for a crisp skin and tender inside. These can be made ahead, refrigerated then reheated when on the menu to save time later in the week.
Scrub sweet potatoes well before cooking. Whenever possible, cook them in their skins as they are easier to peel after cooking and retain more nutrients. They may be baked or boiled whole and then peeled and sliced or cubed. Peel sweet potatoes before cooking if they are to be added to soups or stews.
Put your cooked sweet potatoes in a shallow container such as a GladWare® Container or a GLAD Food Storage Zipper Gallon Bag and place in the refrigerator for short-term use. Cooked sweet potatoes can last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
Boiling With or Without Skin
There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite.
Storing Cooked Sweet Potatoes
"Cooked food should not sit at room temperature more than two hours before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer (or one hour when the temperature is above 90°F)," she notes.
Reheating a baked sweet potato in an oven is simple and easy. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly oil a baking sheet. Place the sweet potatoes onto the baking sheet, making sure not to crowd them. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until they're heated through.
Prep sweet potatoes: You can peel the sweet potatoes a day ahead of time and keep them in a bowl/pot filled with water in the refrigerator to keep them from browning. I would not boil the potatoes ahead of time because the potatoes need to be warm when mashed.
With a fork, poke holes in the raw sweet potatoes, and then bake them at 425 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until very tender. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel the skin off.
Have you ever peeled a sweet potato and left it on the cutting board for a few minutes just to come back and find that it had turned brown? Skin discoloration is a phenomenon found in most fruits and vegetables when cut and left in the open for some time. Sweet potatoes are no exception.
You can peel and cut sweet potatoes and store them in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance for easier meal prep. Store the raw, cut sweet potatoes in a bowl of water in the fridge to keep them fresh.
Never Store in the Refrigerator
According to sweet potato experts including the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, refrigerating sweet potatoes is a no-no. 2 Your refrigerator is actually too cool and can change the cell structure of the potatoes, making them hard in the center with white spots.
Soak them in water
The best (and most popular) way to keep cut potatoes from turning brown is to completely submerge them in a bowl of water. Store the water-covered potatoes in a bowl in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them, up to one day in advance.
Whole, raw sweet potatoes should not be refrigerated, as it can affect their taste and make them hard in the center. Do refrigerate after they've been cut, though. Covered in cold water, they last about a day.
They are the perfect side dish for any meal of the day, and these Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes also make your life easier! Bake up a big batch early in the week, then reheat them as needed… easy peasy!
To reheat a sweet potato in the microwave, simply place the sweet potato on a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
6. They can be consumed cold or hot.
Generally, it's best to put hot food and leftovers into the fridge within two hours of being cooked. After this time, bacteria can start to grow and transform your delicious meal into a bout of food poisoning waiting to happen.
To ensure the quality of your leftover baked potato, store it properly. Let your potato cool completely (unwrap it if baked in foil). Place potatoes in a metal or glass pan, cover them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate them.
Myth: You shouldn't put hot foods in the refrigerator.
Fact: Hot food can be placed in the refrigerator. Large amounts of food should be divided into small portions and put in shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can eat sweet potato skin, whether it's an orange, white or purple sweet potato. So the next time you make sweet potatoes, try keeping the skin on. Not only will it save you prep time and add a textural component to the dish, but there are also nutritional benefits to leaving the peel on.
Is It Okay To Peel Sweet Potatoes Ahead Of Time? Yes, you can peel and cut sweet potatoes ahead of time – say 24 hours – before you cook them, as long as you keep them in the fridge.
Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.