A Quick Glance…
Sweet potatoes, when stored properly in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place (preferably around 55°F or 13°C), can last anywhere from one to two weeks. However, if you store them in a refrigerator, this can extend their lifespan to about a month. It’s important to check on them regularly as any signs of decay, such as soft spots or an off smell, can quickly spread to the rest of the potato, shortening its lifespan. It’s also worth noting that cooked sweet potatoes stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator will usually remain safe to eat for 3 to 5 days.
Where to store sweet potatoes
When you buy your sweet potatoes from the supermarket, if you store them in a dark place they can last up to 6 months. For the best results, you will want to keep your sweet potatoes where it is dry and cool. Places like your garage, basements, or cellars are pretty ideal places for raw sweet potatoes.
You do not want to keep sweet potatoes near other vegetables as they can cause other foods to ripen much quicker than they normally would. How long sweet potatoes last in room temperature depends on a lot of different factors, but it is best to keep them in a pantry, that way they can last at least 3-5 weeks.
How long do sweet potatoes last in the refrigerator?
Sweet potatoes can have a long shelf life and a lot of people store their sweet potatoes in the fridge instead of the freezer. If you have gone out and bought raw sweet potatoes, it is best that you do not store them in the freezer because they can become spoiled rather quickly. Some common traits of bad sweet potatoes are discoloration and growths through the skin.
They will begin to get soft, wet, and then turn brown and/or black. If part of the sweet potato goes bad, the whole potato should be thrown out as the flavor is affected. You can store baked sweet potatoes in the freezer. If you have cooked sweet potatoes, it is best to store them in the freezer, that way they last longer than they would in the fridge.
If they are raw and you want to keep them around longer, the fridge is the way to go. Because sweet potatoes are a big hit when it comes to Thanksgiving, it is suggested that you keep your leftovers in the freezer so they last longer and you do not have to wish to eat them. If you do not freeze your sweet potatoes after they are cooked, they may only last about 3-5 days before they get spoiled.
Summary
In conclusion, there are a lot of things you need to know and remember when it comes to sweet potatoes and making sure they stay fresh. A lot of people believe that yams and sweet potatoes are the same thing but they are two different vegetables! So be mindful of that when you are shopping!
Remember, sweet potatoes go well with a lot of different types of meals and spices. That means when you are thinking of a meal to make, sweet potatoes are almost always an option for you. It is best to store them in a cool area, if you do not have a garage or basement, placing them in the fridge is your best bet. Just don’t forget about them!
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_potato
- https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Sweet-Potatoes
- https://www.glad.com/food-storage/protection-pointers/how-to-store-sweet-potatoes/
