How To Tell If Your Sweet Potatoes Have Gone Bad—and how long they last in the first place
We all know that sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients like vitamins A and C, but sometimes it feels like they go bad before we even have a chance to eat them.
If you’re wondering how to tell if they have gone bad—and how long they last in the first place—you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for everything you need to know about storing them.
Under ideal conditions, fresh, uncooked will last anywhere from two to five weeks. But of course, most of us don’t have ideal conditions in our kitchens (or anywhere else in our lives).
So how can you tell if they have gone bad?
Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to tell if it has gone bad just by looking at it. However, there are a few things you can watch out for: mold, sprouts, and soft spots are all signs that you have seen better days.
If you see any of these signs, it’s best to err on the side of caution and throw them out.
Another thing to keep in mind is that once you’ve cooked them, they’ll only last for a few days in the fridge. So if you’re not planning on eating them right away, it’s best to store them in the fridge as soon as they’re cool enough to handle.
And speaking of storing…
How should you store it?
Ideally, you should store uncooked ones in a cool, dry place with plenty of ventilation. A wire rack or basket is ideal, but if you don’t have either of those things, simply placing them on top of a towel or cloth will work just fine. Just be sure not to put them in the fridge—that’s actually one of the worst things you can do for them.
We hope this article has helped clear up any confusion about how long they last and how to tell if they’ve gone bad.
Now that you know what to look for, you can be sure to enjoy these nutrient-packed vegetables at their peak of freshness. Bon appetit!
What Goes With Sweet Potatoes?
They are one of the most popular vegetables in America. They’re low-calorie, high in fiber, and taste delicious with just about anything. You can bake them into a pie or roast them like marshmallows over an open fire (just kidding).
Here are what goes with sweet potatoes:
Honey-Baked Ham
Roasted Vegetables
Beef Stew
Parmesan Oven Fries
And many more.
Any other dish that goes with them? And what dishes can we make with? This article will teach you how to serve the best, so they’ll be perfect for any occasion!
What are Sweet Potatoes?
They are a type of root vegetable that has been cultivated for thousands of years in the Americas. Many cultures have used them for food, medicine, and clothing because they grow well in areas where other plants will not succeed.
The orange-colored flesh tastes like a pie with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The orange color comes from beta carotene, converted into vitamin A when consumed.
It’s also an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, manganese, fiber, and other nutrients, including B6!
You can cook them like any other type of potato, but it does best if baked or boiled until tender (about 20 minutes). Once cooked, you can cut them into chunks for salads or mash them like regular potatoes.
What To Eat With Sweet Potatoes?
You can make them with just about any type of meat or vegetable. However, some are better than others for creating a healthy meal!
Here are the best foods to serve with:
Honey-Baked Ham
This classic American dish is perfect when served with roasted marshmallows and steamed green beans (especially if you have a Christmas dinner).
Roasted Vegetables
Try serving them with roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts,, and butternut squash.
Beef Stew
Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes. Credit: canva
A hearty beef stew is the perfect winter meal to warm you up from the inside out. Serve it over some mashed for a complete and filling dinner!
Parmesan Oven Fries
Cut them into French fry-like pieces and bake them in the oven with olive oil, salt,, and parmesan cheese. This will create a delicious side dish for any meal!
Sautéed Chicken Breasts
When served over some sautéed chicken breasts, roasted Brussels sprouts, and baked them, this meal becomes a balanced and healthy one-dish dinner!
Black Bean Burrito
A black bean burrito is perfect for those who are looking for a healthy and delicious Mexican-inspired dish. Stuff your tortilla with refried beans, rice, avocado, and salsa, then top it off with some melted cheese and sour cream. You’ll love how tasty and filling this meal is!
Sliders
Who doesn’t love a good slider? You can buy some buns and make your own, or you can pick up pre-made ones from the store.
Tofu Stir Fry
This tasty meal is perfect for those who don’t eat meat or for those who are looking for a healthy and affordable dish. Tofu is high in protein and calcium,, making it a great choice for anyone looking to improve their health!
Salad
A simple salad is always a good way to go when you’re not sure what to make. You can add whatever ingredients you like,, but some of our favorites include roasted Brussels sprouts, diced apple, and crumbled blue cheese. Yum!
What to Make?
Here are some of our favorites!
Dish Ideas
Mashed
This is a classic side dish that goes well with just about anything. Sweeten with brown sugar, molasses, or honey if desired. Combine cooked ones with butter, milk, and salt to taste.
With Sauteed onions
Mix thinly sliced onion with olive oil over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until the onions are dark brown. Then add peeled and cubed raw potato to cook in the pan for another 15 minutes (or until it is soft). Season as desired before serving!
This dish goes great alongside pork chops, chicken, or burgers!
Casserole
Combine cooked and mashed potatoes with brown sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg—Bake in a greased baking dish at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until set.
This classic holiday side dish is always a hit!
Wedges
Sweet Potato Wedges. Credit: canva
Cut them into wedges and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your choice of spices (cumin,, chili powder, etc.). Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
These are a great alternative to French fries and can be enjoyed as a side dish or appetizer.
Fries
Cut them into thin strips and toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and other desired spices. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until crispy.
Who doesn’t love a good fry? Serve these up as an appetizer or side dish!
Salad
Combine cooked, cubed ones with celery, green pepper, onion, and black olives. Top with mayonnaise and season as desired before serving.
This is the perfect side dish to bring along on a picnic!
Grilled
This is an excellent alternative to French fries if you’re looking for something different! Slice peeled and cleaned ones into large chunks. Grill until tender, about 20 minutes total time.
This is another easy side dish that you can whip up in just a few minutes! Top with grated cheese if desired!
Casserole with pineapple
Combine cooked and mashed them with brown sugar, butter or margarine, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt (if desired), crushed pineapple (drained well), and chopped nuts.
This sweet and tangy casserole is perfect for any occasion!
Pie
You can combine them with eggs, sugar, butter or margarine, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the mixture into a pastry-lined pie plate.
Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven to 375 degrees and continue baking for 40 minutes more.
With marshmallows
This fun twist on a classic dessert is sure to please kids and adults alike!
Main Dish Recipes
Sweet Potato Casserole. Credit: canva
Here are some recipes for main courses that include them as key ingredients.
Shepherd’s Pie
This dish is classic comfort food. They are topped with ground beef and vegetables, then baked until golden brown.
Ingredients:
Mashed sweet potatoes
Ground beef
Carrots
Onion
Garlic cloves
Tomato paste
Dried parsley
Salt, pepper, and paprika to taste
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cook ground beef in a frying pan with the onions.
Add garlic cloves for extra flavor if desired; cook until browned. Drain fat from the meat mixture once done cooking and set aside.
Transfer cooked vegetables into a large bowl. Add tomato paste and stir well to combine with the other ingredients.
Gently fold in the ground beef mixture, then add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the meat mixture into a baking dish or casserole dish; spread mashed on top of it all evenly (you can use an ice cream scoop for this).
Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are lightly browned.
Casserole
You can make this delicious, easy-to-make dish in large or small batches.
Ingredients:
Mashed sweet potato (enough to cover your baking pan)
Brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees while preparing a baking pan by spraying it with cooking spray.
Spread a layer of mashed on the bottom of the baking pan, then sprinkle brown sugar over it until it is covered (you can add salt and pepper too if you like).
Add your desired amount of food items to the top of the casserole (meat, vegetables, etc.), then spread another layer of mashed over the top.
Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until potatoes are golden brown and bubbly.
Stuffed With Cashew Cheese and Veggies
This recipe is excellent for making a meal that feels like comfort food but isn’t loaded with sodium.
Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes
Stuffing mixture of spinach, cashews, and onions
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Cut them in half, then scoop out some of the center flesh (be careful not to go too deep).
Put them halves face down on a baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes.
While they’re baking, make your stuffing mixture by blending spinach, cashews, and onions. Once they are done, spoon stuffing the mix into the center of each one until it’s full (you may have some leftovers).
Serve immediately and enjoy!
With White Bean Chili
What’s better than a hearty chili? A vegetarian one that doesn’t require soaking beans overnight!
Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes (enough to cover the bottom of your pot)
White beans or chickpeas, drained/rinsed (about half a can per person)
Onion
Green bell pepper
Garlic cloves, minced
Tomato sauce
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced (use more or less depending on how spicy you want it)
Cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste
Directions:
Peel and chop into small pieces.
In a large pot, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until they’re soft. Add garlic cloves and cook for an additional minute.
Stir in, white beans/chickpeas, tomato sauce, and chipotle peppers with adobo sauce—season the mixture with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Bring chili to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, or avocado on top.
A healthier alternative to regular French fries, and they’re just as delicious!
Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes (one per person)
Olive oil or cooking spray
Salt, pepper, and other desired seasonings (optional)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cut them into strips and place them in a bowl.
Add enough olive oil or cooking spray to coat the fries, then season with salt, pepper, and other desired spices (cinnamon is delicious).
Spread them on a baking sheet so they aren’t touching each other; bake for approximately 15-20 minutes until cooked through and beginning to brown.
Enjoy!
Roasted Fries With Chipotle Mayo
Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes (one per person)
Olive oil or cooking spray
Salt, pepper, and other desired seasonings (optional)
Chipotle mayo dipping sauce ingredients :
Peeled and chopped chipotles in adobo sauce (use more or less depending on how spicy you want it)
Mayonnaise
Lime juice
Garlic cloves, minced
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cut them into strips and place them in a bowl.
Add enough olive oil or cooking spray to coat the fries, then season with salt, pepper, and other desired spices (cinnamon is delicious).
Spread on a baking sheet so they aren’t touching each other; bake for approximately 15-20 minutes until cooked through and beginning to brown.
Serve roasted fries with chipotle mayo dipping sauce on the side.
While the fries are cooking, make your chipotle mayo dipping sauce by blending chopped chipotle in adobo sauce, mayonnaise, lime juice, and garlic cloves.
Enjoy!
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes
How to make baked sweet potatoes
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Prick the potatoes several times with a fork.
Place on a baking sheet—Bake for 45 minutes or until tender.
Cool slightly. Cut open; scoop out the flesh. Place in a bowl; mash with a fork.
Season with salt, pepper, and butter, if desired.
Serve warm or cold.
How to make sweet potato wedges
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Wash potatoes well. Cut off both ends. Peel the skin with a vegetable peeler or knife; discard the skin.
Cut into wedges and place in a large bowl filled with cold water for 30 minutes, until skins can be easily removed by rubbing between fingers.
Drain the water and place the potatoes back in the bowl.
In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Pour over potatoes; stir until coated.
Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until tender and golden brown.
Serve with ketchup or ranch dressing if desired.
Boiled sweet potatoes
Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.
Add salt and potatoes; cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain any excess water and enjoy!
FAQs
What can you eat with sweet potatoes?
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, broccoli, cabbage, and bell peppers are great choices. Salad – Fresh, green-leaf salad that is delicious. Beans – Baked beans and black beans are an excellent complement to potatoes.
What flavors go well with sweet potato?
Sour flavors, such as vinegar and lemon. Sweet spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg. Earthy flavors, such as thyme or oregano.
Fatty herbs and spices like chive oil (a specialty of New Zealand) or avocado oil (which can make mayonnaise). Maple syrup is another flavor that goes well because it has a natural sweetness that complements its inherent sweetness.
What is good to eat with sweet potato fries?
You can also do other sauces, such as garlic or spicy brown mustard, vinegar (for dipping), ketchup, mayonnaise, or honey.
The options are limitless! Sweet potatoes have a lot of natural sugars, which means they’re naturally delicious paired with just about anything – from savory dishes like eggs and bacon to desserts like ice cream sandwiches!
