How to Store Potatoes Correctly to Delay Sprouting

Potatoes are undoubtedly one of the most versatile and beloved vegetables. Whether it's Russet, Yukon Gold, red, fingerling, or Japanese sweet potatoes, everyone has their go-to variety. These root vegetables are a staple in many kitchens, and it's easy to see why.

Being a fan of potatoes is effortless, especially when you think about their remarkable shelf life. If stored properly, they can last for months. However, premature sprouting is still a risk, particularly if they're not stored correctly. Keep reading for the best ways to store potatoes.

How to Tell When Potatoes Have Gone Bad

In most cases, it's safe to eat a sprouted potato as long as you remove the sprout before cooking. However, it's also important to inspect the potato for any signs of mold or green patches, as these indicate that the potato has spoiled.

Potatoes that are soft, wrinkled, or have an unpleasant odor should be discarded. If potatoes begin to leak moisture, they are also no longer good. Healthy potatoes should feel firm and have an earthy smell, though they may have some blemishes. You can safely cut away any black spots or green areas from the potato and still eat it.

How to Properly Store Potatoes

Several factors influence how long potatoes stay fresh and when they begin to sprout. First, avoid washing potatoes until you're ready to cook them. Even if you dry them well, washing beforehand causes them to absorb moisture, which promotes bacterial and fungal growth. When deciding where to store your potatoes, keep in mind temperature, light, and airflow.

Temperature

To keep your potatoes in prime condition for as long as possible, store them in an area with a steady temperature of around 50°F. If the temperature drops below 42°F, the starches in the potatoes turn into sugar, altering their taste and texture, which can affect how they cook. On the other hand, keeping potatoes above 55°F will cause them to lose moisture rapidly, leading to sprouting.

Remember, the refrigerator is not the best place for storing potatoes. Not only is it too cold for them, but the fridge also increases the sugar content of the potatoes and causes the formation of acrylamide, a harmful chemical. In short, resist refrigerating your potatoes.

Light

Exposing potatoes to excessive light will cause them to turn green and produce a harmful compound called solanine. When potatoes are overexposed to sunlight, they generate solanine, which can make them taste bitter, inedible, and even cause nausea.

Airflow

For your potatoes to stay fresh for a long time, store them in an area with good ventilation. The best storage options are open containers like baskets, bins, or paper bags, as they help prevent moisture buildup. Avoid using plastic bags or sealed containers, as they trap moisture and promote spoilage.

Can You Store Potatoes in the Fridge?

There are certain cases where storing potatoes in the fridge is acceptable, such as when they are raw and cut, or if they are already cooked.

Storing Cut Potatoes

If you've already cut or peeled your potatoes, the usual fridge storage rule doesn't apply. When potatoes are cut, place them in a bowl of water (ensuring they are fully submerged) and refrigerate them. They should stay fresh for up to 24 hours in the fridge. However, this isn't the best method and may affect the texture of the potatoes, so only store cut, uncooked potatoes in advance if necessary.

Storing Leftover Potatoes

Few things are as satisfying as leftover potatoes. Whether mashed, baked, or fried, they often taste even better the next day. If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to 12 months.

Believe it or not, mashed potatoes freeze surprisingly well. The fat from the butter and cream helps them maintain their texture. To freeze mashed potatoes, follow these simple steps:

1. Ensure that the mashed potatoes have cooled completely before freezing.
2. Scoop 1-cup portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least four hours. You can also freeze them overnight.
3. Once the potatoes are frozen, transfer them to freezer-safe bags, making sure to label each one with the date.

Although some potato dishes can be frozen for up to a year, it's best to consume frozen mashed potatoes within two months, as they typically contain dairy and won't stay fresh forever.

Can You Freeze Potatoes?

When it comes to preserving food, the freezer is usually the go-to option, but raw potatoes don't fare well in it. Instead, prepare your potato dish—like mashed potatoes or tater tot casserole—and store the fully cooked dish in a freezer-safe container for later enjoyment.

Alternatively, you can partially cook your potatoes first, which helps to reduce their water content and prevents them from becoming too mushy once frozen.

To preserve whole potatoes or cut potato pieces in the freezer, follow these easy steps:

1. Begin by peeling the potatoes, which is optional but makes the next steps easier to handle.
2. Blanch the potatoes. Fill a pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the potatoes. The blanching time varies depending on the potato size, typically ranging from three to ten minutes.
3. After blanching, immediately place the potatoes in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Let them cool completely.
4. Transfer the cooled potatoes to a colander to drain excess water. Then, lay them in a single layer on a kitchen towel and blot with a paper towel to remove any remaining moisture.
5. Spread the potatoes evenly on a lined cookie sheet and freeze for at least four hours, or overnight for convenience.
6. Once frozen, transfer the potatoes to a freezer-safe bag or container, labeling it with the date to keep track of freshness.

This method is also effective for freezing uncooked French fries. However, if you have pre-cooked fries, simply skip ahead to step five.

Tips for Selecting Potatoes in the Store

When shopping for potatoes, choosing the freshest ones will ensure they last longer. Here are some key factors to consider when picking your potatoes:

• Firm to the touch: Select potatoes that feel solid and firm. Soft potatoes indicate they are past their best.
• Minimal imperfections: Go for potatoes with few to no blemishes, bruises, or cuts.
• Brown, not green: Avoid potatoes that have a green tint, which suggests they’ve been exposed to too much sunlight. Opt for those that are brown in color.
• Earthy aroma: Fresh potatoes should have a natural, earthy scent. A foul smell signals that the potato is spoiled.

Commonly Asked Questions

• Can potatoes be stored with onions?

  Potatoes and onions are a classic duo in cooking, but when it comes to storage, keep them separate. Storing onions next to potatoes speeds up sprouting, meaning your potatoes might start sprouting new shoots. To keep your potatoes fresh, make sure to store them away from onions.

• Do potatoes stay fresh longer in the fridge or on the counter?

  Potatoes last longer when stored on the counter, not in the fridge. The best storage for whole, unpeeled potatoes is in a cool place, away from sunlight, but not refrigerated. The cold temperature of a fridge converts the starch in potatoes to sugars, altering their flavor and texture.