Reheating mashed potato in the microwave allows them to remain moist and creamy without drying out. From oven to stovetop, there are many ways to reheat mashed potato but the problem is that they do not reheat very well and end up drying out or turn to a gluey texture.
It turns out that the microwave is actually a perfect way to reheat mashed potatoes. Matter of fact, it is a quick and easy way to solve the potential problems with warming pureed potato.
How do you reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave? Transfer desired amount of mashed potatoes to a microwave-safe bowl. Add a tablespoon of milk, cream or butter to keep them moist and improve consistency.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap so the steam does not escape and prevent from drying up the top and edges. Microwave on the reheat setting or 50% power for 60 seconds.
Stir well and check the temperature, if needed continue to heat for 30 seconds at a time until potato puree reach an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be safe to eat.
Lowering the power level and sticking with short burst of microwave time helps the mashed potato from overheating too quickly. Furthermore, too much mixing gummy or gooey, so fold gently after each duration so they turn out creamy.
Mashed potatoes are a common leftover dish during a Thanksgiving meal. It always goes well with gravy and reheated turkey to fill your belly instantly with healthy carb.
Have you tried reheating potatoes in the microwave? Read on to find out if reheating mashed potatoes in the microwave is safe or not. Answered below are frequently asked questions with microwave tips for the best way to reheat pureed potato quickly.
Can you reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave?
Yes, you can reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave. Reheating mashed potatoes in a microwave is the quickest and easiest way to make them hot again.
To reheat mashed potatoes, simply transfer a portion or two to a microwave-safe dish, and microwave for about 1½ to 3 minutes on medium heat or use the reheat setting.
In general, 2 minutes should be enough to reheat mashed potatoes. However, if you want the potato puree warmer and done a little faster than that, cook on high heat with a splash of milk or cream to add moisture and creaminess.
Reheating mashed potatoes only takes a few minutes, but they do hold the heat for much longer than other foods. Therefore, you might want to prepare them before the meal and set them aside while getting the other dishes ready.
Is it safe to reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe to reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave. As long as the mashed potatoes are stored properly and reheated to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit, then they are safe to serve.
Whether it is store-bought or made from scratch, check the date when it was made and ensure the mashed potatoes haven’t spoiled.
No matter what, microwaved pureed potatoes always taste a little different than freshly cooked mashed potatoes and may be somewhat drier. To resolve this issue, add some extra milk, cream or butter before heating them in the microwave.
How long to reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave?
Generally, 2-3 minutes should be sufficient when heating up mashed potatoes for single or double serving portion. For more than 2 to 3 servings, increase the reheating time by about 30 seconds per portion.
The amount of time to reheat the mashed potatoes in the microwave depends on the number of servings, portion size and the wattage of microwave used for reheating.
Cover with a lid, microwave with short durations and stir frequently to heat the mashed potatoes up quicker and more evenly.
Tips to reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave
When mashed potatoes are reheated on the stove, there is high chance of sticking to the bottom of the pan making it hard to scrape off afterward. When heating up in the microwave, you can prevent this from happening.
But with microwave, there is high risk of drying up or cooking unevenly.
In order to reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave properly, use these helpful tips to achieve success quickly:
- Avoid making them crispy in the microwave. Mashed potatoes are supposed to be soft and tender, so add milk, butter or cream to prevent from being dry or overcooked.
- Leftover mashed potatoes should be eaten within 3 days of being cooked, any longer and they may be spoiled
- Take them out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before heating so they have a chance to gradually warm up to room temperature.
- 2-3 minutes should be enough for reheating one or two servings of mashed potatoes in a microwave. Let the heated mashed potato sit in the microwave for a minute to allow the heat to evenly distribute throughout the dish.
- For extra creamy texture, consider adding extra butter, milk or cream before microwaving. Adding more liquid will help with reheating mashed potatoes if they’re dried out a bit from moisture evaporation during the cooking, cooling or storing process.
- Cover the mashed potato tightly with microwave safe plastic wrap to keep the steam inside and prevent from drying up. A damp paper towel or microwave cover also work well.
Best way to microwave mashed potatoes
If you want your mashed potatoes to taste freshly cooked, reheating them in a microwave use this technique. With proper reheating method, mashed potatoes will retain moisture and keep their flavor better than when directly heated in the stove.
Microwaving the mashed potatoes the right way will make sure they’re not dried up, gooey or burnt onto the bottom of the pan.
If you want extra creamy mashed potatoes, consider adding some butter, milk or cream before heating them up in the microwave.
To make sure the potatoes are moist and warm when microwaving mashed potatoes, cover them with plastic wrap, wet paper towel or a microwaveable lid to prevent moisture from escaping and drying out your food.
Place single or double portion of mashed potatoes on a microwave-safe bowl, adjust the microwave to 50% power and nuke for 60 seconds. Give a good stir, and then continue with 30 second increments until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
Let the mashed potatoes rest for a minute after microwaving to allow the residual heat to disperse through the leftovers. Drizzle hot gravy over the top and serve with other side dishes to enjoy the meal.
Reheating Mashed Potatoes in Microwave: Conclusion
Reheating mashed potatoes in the microwave allows you to keep them moist and soft without scorching or burning them in a pan on the stovetop. To make sure the mashed potatoes stay warm and are still nice and creamy after reheating, cover with plastic wrap before microwaving.
Reheating mashed potatoes in a microwave can take anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes depending on the amount of mashed potatoes and appliance wattage.
Simply, scoop mashed potato onto a microwave-safe container and add a splash of milk or cream to improve consistency and keep the pureed potato moist so they don’t dry out.
Furthermore, cover the bowl with a microwavable lid to prevent steam from escaping and help to reduce reheating time.
Start microwaving for 60 seconds at a time on 50% power to gently and slowly reheat, which will help to avoid from overheating the mashed potatoes. Stir every 30 seconds and continue microwaving until the temperature reaches 74℃ or 165℉ for it to be safe to consume.
Reheating potato puree in the microwave is quick and easy. Within a couple minutes the leftover mashed potatoes are steaming hot and ready to eat.