Potatoes
Quick answer: Raw potatoes last 1-2 months stored in a cool, dark pantry, or 1-2 weeks in the fridge. Raw potatoes don't freeze well, but cooked or mashed potatoes can be frozen for 10-12 months.
Potatoes are one of those staples that feel like they'll last forever, until you reach into the bag and find something soft and suspicious. The good news: stored right, they actually do last a while. The bad news: most of us aren't storing them right (the fridge is not the answer, and neither is the plastic bag they came in).
Pantry
Refrigerator
Freezer
How to store potatoes
Keep raw potatoes in a cool (45-55°F), dark, dry spot with good airflow, a ventilated basket or paper bag works great. Plastic bags trap moisture and speed up rot, so skip those. Keep them away from onions too; the gases onions release will have your potatoes sprouting faster than you'd like.
How to spot spoilage
Toss them if you see green skin (that's light exposure and it matters), dark spots, mold, or serious shriveling. A sour or rotten smell is a clear sign they're done. Soft, mushy, or slimy flesh means they've turned; same goes for potatoes that have gone weirdly hard and brittle when you try to cut them.
How to revive them
Sprouted or slightly wrinkled potatoes are still safe to eat as long as they're firm and not green, just snap off the sprouts and carry on. There's no real way to revive them to fresh, though. If they're soft, green, or moldy, they're done.
Use it up before it spoils
- Boil and mash a big batch, then freeze in portions for a ready-made side any night of the week.
- Cut into wedges, toss with oil and whatever spices are in the back of the cabinet, roast at 425°F.
- Dice and simmer into a quick potato soup with whatever broth and vegetables you have on hand.
- Slice thin and layer into a skillet frittata with eggs and any leftover vegetables.
- Make a big pot of potato and leek soup and freeze half for next week.
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Best ways to preserve
- freeze
- can
- dehydrate
Nutrition at a glance
Per 141.7 g (1 medium potato (about 5 oz))
| Calories | 109 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2.9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24.8 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 1.2 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 9 mg |
Source: USDA FoodData Central. Potatoes, flesh and skin, raw (SR Legacy)
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Frequently asked questions
Can you freeze raw potatoes?
Raw potatoes don't freeze well, the high water content turns them gray and gritty when thawed. To freeze potatoes, cook or mash them first, or blanch slices for 3-5 minutes before freezing. Cooked and mashed potatoes keep in the freezer for 10-12 months.
Do potatoes need to be refrigerated?
No, raw potatoes actually do better in a cool, dark pantry (ideally 45-55u00b0F) than in the fridge. In the fridge they last 1-2 weeks, but a proper cool, dark storage spot gets you 1-2 months. The fridge is fine if that's what you've got, just not the ideal first choice.
How long do potatoes last after cutting?
Cut potatoes should be used the same day or stored submerged in cold water in the fridge and used within 24 hours to prevent browning and texture changes. For longer storage, cook them first.
How can you tell if potatoes have gone bad?
Green skin, dark spots, mold, or a sour/rotten smell are all signs a potato is past it. Soft, mushy, or slimy flesh means it's done. Sprouts alone don't mean it's bad, if the potato is still firm and not green, snap off the sprouts and use it.
Why shouldn't you store potatoes near onions?
Onions release gases that accelerate sprouting and spoilage in nearby potatoes. Keep them in separate spots and both will last significantly longer.