All About Sweet potatoes
Your complete guide to sweet potatoes - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Sweet potatoes Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for sweet potatoes 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 (freezer)6-12 months (for best quality)
Signs of Spoilage
Significant freezer burn (large icy patches, dried-out texture, discoloration), off-flavors after thawing and reheating, excessively mushy texture after thawing if not properly prepared for freezing.
How to Check
Visually inspect for extensive freezer burn (dry, leathery spots). While safe indefinitely if kept frozen, quality degrades over time. If thawed, check for any sour or stale odors before reheating. A very mushy texture after thawing indicates quality loss.
Storage Tips
Cooked sweet potatoes (especially mashed or pureed) freeze exceptionally well. For chunks, blanching or roasting them slightly before freezing helps maintain texture. Store in airtight freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date of freezing.
whole, uncooked (pantry/room temperature)3-5 weeks (sometimes up to 2 months under ideal conditions)
Signs of Spoilage
Soft spots, shriveling, dark or black patches, white/green/black mold, excessive sprouting, wet spots, mushy texture, strong unpleasant odor.
How to Check
Visually inspect for mold, dark spots, or shriveling. Feel for soft or mushy areas. Smell for any sour, musty, or unpleasant odors. Small sprouts are generally fine; excessive, long sprouts indicate age but not necessarily spoilage if the potato is otherwise firm.
Storage Tips
Store in a cool (55-60°F / 13-16°C), dark, well-ventilated area like a pantry, cellar, or cupboard. Do not refrigerate raw sweet potatoes as cold temperatures convert starches to sugars, affecting flavor and texture (can create a hard core). Keep them out of plastic bags, which trap moisture and encourage mold. Avoid storing near apples, bananas, or onions, which release ethylene gas that can accelerate spoilage.
cooked (refrigerator)3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Slimy texture, sour or 'off' smell, visible mold (fuzzy white, green, or black spots), discoloration (unusual darkening or graying), unappetizing appearance.
How to Check
Visually inspect for mold or unusual discoloration. Touch to check for sliminess or stickiness. Smell for any sour, fermented, or otherwise unpleasant odors. If in doubt, it's best to discard.
Storage Tips
Cool cooked sweet potatoes completely within 2 hours before transferring to an airtight container. This prevents bacterial growth and keeps them from absorbing other fridge odors. Store on an upper shelf in the refrigerator.