All About Sweet potato
Your complete guide to sweet potato - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Sweet potato Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for sweet potato in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Cooked (in Freezer)6-12 months
Signs of Spoilage
Significant freezer burn (dry, discolored patches), off-flavors after thawing, mushy or excessively mealy texture upon thawing.
How to Check
Visually inspect for excessive freezer burn. While not a safety concern, it degrades quality. Taste a small amount after thawing if appearance is acceptable; discard if there are off-flavors.
Storage Tips
Ensure cooked sweet potatoes are completely cooled before freezing. Store in airtight, freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date.
Whole, Uncut (Cool, Dark Place)3-5 weeks
Signs of Spoilage
Soft spots, shriveling, mold (fuzzy white or black patches), green/dark sprouts, strong earthy or sour odor, excessive stickiness.
How to Check
Visually inspect for mold, deep wrinkles, or soft/mushy areas. Gently squeeze to check for firmness; it should feel hard. Smell for any off or sour odors. Small sprouts are generally harmless and can be cut off, but large, excessive sprouting indicates age and potential nutrient loss.
Storage Tips
Store in a cool (55-60°F / 13-15°C), dark, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and moisture. Do not refrigerate whole, raw sweet potatoes as it can cause a hard core, alter flavor, and speed up spoilage. Keep them separate from onions and apples, as gases emitted by these can hasten spoilage.
Cut or Peeled (Raw in Fridge)3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Darkening or browning of cut surfaces, slimy texture, sour or unpleasant smell, visible mold growth.
How to Check
Visually inspect for significant discoloration (light browning is normal oxidation, but dark brown/black spots are concerning), sliminess, or mold. Smell for any sour or fermented odors. Touch to check for a slick, slimy feel.
Storage Tips
To minimize oxidation and extend freshness, store cut sweet potatoes submerged in cold water in an airtight container in the refrigerator, changing the water daily. Alternatively, store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.
Cooked (in Fridge)3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Sour or off-smell, slimy or mushy texture, visible mold growth (white, green, or black fuzz), unusual discoloration (beyond normal browning from cooking).
How to Check
Smell for any sour, rancid, or unpleasant odors. Visually inspect for mold or unusual colors. Touch to check for a slimy or overly soft, mushy texture. If in doubt, it's best to discard.
Storage Tips
Cool cooked sweet potatoes quickly (within 2 hours) and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth. Do not leave at room temperature for extended periods.
Raw, Prepared for Freezing (in Freezer)6-12 months
Signs of Spoilage
Significant freezer burn (dry, leathery spots), extreme texture degradation (e.g., very mushy) after thawing, loss of vibrant color.
How to Check
Visually inspect for freezer burn. While not dangerous, it indicates quality loss. Check texture after thawing; if excessively mushy or stringy, quality is compromised.
Storage Tips
Blanching (briefly boiling then shocking in ice water) is recommended for raw sweet potato pieces before freezing to preserve color, flavor, and texture. Freeze individual pieces on a baking sheet before transferring to an airtight freezer bag or container to prevent clumping.