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is it possible to freeze mashed potatoes?

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Posted 11/4/2011 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Logic tells me that it should be possible, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that it can't be done successfully.

Has anyone done it, and had good results, please?

(I'm talking real potatoes here; not the dehydrated variety that some people use during flares).

Ivy.
Posted 11/4/2011 5:47 AM (GMT 0)
Ivy, you can freeze them, but when they thaw they're like a watery mess with grainy potato solids in it. Not at all appetizing. Whole potatoes also don't freeze well. I think it's something to do with the amount of water in the cells; when it expands with freezing it breaks down the cell and destroys the texture of the potato.
Posted 11/4/2011 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, bother. Thanks, Judy.

I've been put on the FODMAPs diet and am trying to work out *what* to eat, while simultaneously trying to get some food in the freezer, as I have a foot operation soon and expect to find cooking hard.

Looks like potatoes are out then. Hmmmmmm.

Thanks so much for your help. You saved me a lot of wasted time and effort, and a lot of disappointment post-op.

Ivy.
Posted 11/4/2011 8:01 AM (GMT 0)
I know that you probably don't have a "Trader Joe's" in the UK but they sell frozen mashed potatoes in the shape of these little ovals and you just grab a handful and throw them in the microwave for a few minutes. After you mix it all up and it tastes ok. They probably have flash freeze equipment. Usually it is milk products in food that tend to separate because of the fat content. If you froze the mashed potatoes plain and added butter or milk or whatever after it was microwaved that might work out ok
Posted 11/4/2011 10:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Ivy, I do freeze left over mashed. They are a bit grainy when you thaw them but if you really stir and beat them to bring them back to the right consistency they're actually pretty good. Not like fresh made though, but nothing frozen is.
Posted 11/4/2011 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
As Lamb said they can be frozen. If you make them thicker than normal then they come back even better. Given the effort I would give it a go for sure

Dave

Posted 11/4/2011 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
I too have frozen mashed potato. I go light on the milk/cream and butter. Then when I reheat I add extra milk/cream and butter and stir like a wild woman. They are not as good, but during a flare, they will do, especially if you have some gravy on top.....

And as Veggie says there are pre made frozen mashed, and also frozen potatoes that can be turned into mashed or some other variation. Most major potato companies are making them, not just Trader Joes. Not sure if they have made it to your part of the world yet. Of course here there are also the pre made mashed in the ready to go case. Not nearly as nasty as the flake kind, and if you have some gravy on top......
Posted 11/4/2011 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
I too have frozen mashed potatoes with a yucky result, however, when you freeze perogies the potato part is fine. I do not understand this as the potatoes are mashed. Maybe make yourself potato pockets, you know, like a pizza pop??? If you can tolerate some sort of dough this would be a good way to do it??? Just a thought.
Posted 11/4/2011 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
I know some instant or premade mashed taste bad, but have you tried (if available) Bob Evans refrigerated mashed potatoes?  They come in a plastic container to microwave.  They are actually pretty good and last a good bit of time in the fridge.  We have even started getting the Betty Crocker potato flakes - they are OK if you just make one packet, but the Bob Evans actually tasted like real.

Posted 11/4/2011 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you've gotten all my advice but I've missed you and wanted to say hello.

I've frozen my own potatoes, purchased frozen mashed and tried refridgerated ones. None are as good as fresh made but all are much better than the powdered kind. I've also gone all 3 routes with home fries too and they hold up better in all cases. If you're not happy with the mashed, go for the home fries.

I've always been a meat & potato kind of girl and so living without these would be difficult for me, or maybe that's just the Irish in me rearing it's head. LOL

I hope you find something that works for you & that you have a quick, easy recovery from the surgery.

Posted 11/4/2011 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmmm , so much for my idea . Looks like, potatociciles , just wont catch on . Frozen spud is a dud . I'll just have to keep eating my russets warm . Anyone need a few gross of popcicile sticks ? Mumble mumble......
Posted 11/4/2011 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I dont typically freeze mashed potatoes (even if I make lots extra for me on a flare they tend to poof on me esp with the kids in thehouse. I do however freeze mashed butternut (which as I have read is helpful for inflammation) I make it with olive oil a little brown sugar and cinnamon.
Posted 11/5/2011 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, sounds like I might just need to make an assortment of other types of mashed root veg, and freeze them for later. At least spuds can be thrown in the microwave, whole, and eaten with marg.

I'm leery of any type of packaged / frozen stuff, because of FODMAPS. That diet seems to be helping, but is annoyingly restrictive.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

Ivy.
Posted 11/5/2011 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
The answer is yes.....but you have to make them cold in order to do it. 

I remember frozen potatoes in the "TV dinners" and they were lousy!

Posted 11/5/2011 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
I freeze mashed potatoes all the time and they come out fine when reheated in the microwave oven.  They will be watery if you don't leave them in long enough, so you just have to time it right.  Add a little butter and stir and I think they're almost as good as a fresh batch.  I purposely make extra so that I can freeze portions.  It's certainly a time saver. 
Posted 11/5/2011 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
An easy way to freeze mashed potatoes is to NOT add anything (especially dairy products) to them prior to freezing. Just peel, boil and mash (add salt if desired).....then freeze into portions. When you thaw them out later, just stir in chicken stock, milk, butter or whatever seasonings you like. Works like a charm.
Posted 11/5/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've eaten frozen mashed potatoes. I just stir em up after re-heating them.
I usually prefer to throw one in the toaster oven for an hour with a piece of chicken and some sliced zucchini too.
Posted 11/5/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
In UK you can get bags of frozen mashed potato from Tesco's. They are actually really nice, just either just some into a dish with couple of spoonfuls of milk and blitz for a minute or two. You can cook on hob as well. They taste very buttery and have texture just like the restaurant style mashed potato that has been through a rice sieve, so no lumpy bits at all.
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