Ever forgot that bag of potatoes in the kitchen counter existed? In this guide, you will learn how long potatoes last and how to tell if your potatoes have gone bad. Plus check out our tips to improve shelf life, both raw, and cooked, in the refrigerator and out of the refrigerator so you can get the most out of this starchy vegetable!
Potatoes can often last 2 weeks outside in a cool dark place and up to 12 months if stored in the freezer.
Read on to learn more about temperature settings, storage conditions, spoilage, and tips to improve shelf life.
Table of contents
Shelf life of raw vs. cooked potatoes
Here is a quick guide of how raw and cooked can affect shelf life
What is the ideal temperature to store raw potatoes?
The ideal temperature for storage at is 45 to 50°F.
This means that normal room temperature is warmer than ideal conditions to store them.
However, here are some suggestions to help you store them at room temperature for as long as possible.
- When storing at room temperature, put your potatoes in a basket, crate, paper bag, cardboard box, or bin that's loosely covered so they are well ventilated.
- Whole raw ones can usually last up to two to three weeks if stored properly at room temperature.
Once they have been cut they'll last about 24 hours. Put them in a bowl of cold water, completely submerge them and refrigerate them.
Make sure to use them within 24 hours after the initial cut.
Can you store raw potatoes in the fridge?
Storing your fresh potatoes in the refrigerator is not the most ideal storage location for long-term storage.
It is only recommended if you live in high humidity areas where it is difficult to keep the moisture down or if it is too hot where you live to store these spuds properly.
Storing them in the fridge can increase the amount of sugar they contain, which can alter the true taste of the potatoes (makes them sweeter than supposed to be).
You should also know that refrigeration can change color when you cook them.
If you want to avoid this color change, the good news is, all you have to do is remove them from the fridge about an hour or so before you want to cook them so they have the chance to come to room temperature before cooking them.
How long do cooked potatoes last in the fridge?
Once you cook your potatoes and make things like french fries, potato salad, mashed potatoes, and baked potatoes, store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days before they start to deteriorate, change texture, and lose quality.
Can you freeze cooked potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze cooked potatoes in a heavy duty ziplock bag or freezer safe container for 10-12 months.
It is however not recommended to freeze raw fresh potatoes. I've found they become almost inedible because of the vast change in quality and texture.
How long do dehydrated potatoes last?
Looking to save your spuds even longer than the year you can get from cooked potatoes in the freezer?
I suggest trying to dehydrating them. You'll be surprised at how long they can last.
Dehydrated potatoes actually have a shelf life of TWENTY YEARS if stored properly!
For best results in making your favorite recipes from your dehydrated potatoes, rehydrate and use them within the first five years of dehydration and then replenish your stock.
But if you are keeping them in your emergency food storage preps they should last about 20 years.
Storage tips to extend shelf life
Should you wash before storing them?
Mostly not. The outer skin of your spud acts as a protective layer to its inner flesh.
If you think your potatoes are too dirty then you can simply brush off the excess dirt or debris.
But avoid using any water on them, as that will help them spoil sooner.
Proper storage conditions
Temperature Conditions
- The best temperature for potatoes to be stored is between 45 to 50°F.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry place that is well ventilated. A root cellar or basement is an ideal location as long as it's cooler than room temperature but warmer than your refrigerator.
Storage Containers
- If you received your potatoes in a plastic bag, use scissors and cut some holes in the bag for ventilation.
- Do not store uncooked, raw spuds in a sealed, closed container.
- If you have a mesh bag, basket, or wooden or plastic crate with some holes, these are all great containers to store them in.
- It's normal for spuds that are stored at room temperature to start sprouting. This is not a sign that they're going bad though!
- Always check on your them weekly or every other week and remove the bad ones so they don't start spoiling the others.
Additional Tips
- Don't store your potatoes next to your onions! They're not good neighbors and have chemical reactions between the two that will spoil both vegetables faster.
- Don't overcrowd your potatoes, they need room to breathe. You may need to store large batches in multiple containers for optimum storage conditions.
Signs of spoilage
First, it is important to remember that when spuds start to sprout, due to the starches converting into sugar, it is still normal, and safe to eat them.
Just be sure to remove the sprouts before you use them.
Pro Tip: If you want to help prevent sprouts from happening to your potatoes or lower the risk of them happening, store them with an apple or two.
The ethylene gas that the apple releases is supposed to help prevent the sprouts from happening.
How to tell if potato is still good
A good potato will still be firm to the touch.
However, if your potato has started to dry out, wrinkle and decrease in size, or has started to become mushy, you should toss them as they are no longer good and are unsafe to eat.
How to tell if potato has gone bad
Potatoes with mold spots also mean they've gone bad. Some people feel that you can simply remove the mold or dark spots and the rest of the spud will be fine. If you chose to use them this way, do so with caution.
I suggest sticking to the motto of "it's better to be safe than sorry" and to toss any that show any signs of mold.
Mold can appear as brown, black, red, white, or bluish gray spots on your potatoes.
Can you eat potatoes that are turning green?
Green spots typically appear when they've been exposed to sunlight.
These green spots are NOT mold, but may be indicative of spoilage.
Many people believe all you have to do is remove the green spot and they'll be safe to eat again.
However, if there are more than just a few green spots, this could mean these spuds may not be safe for consumption.
Check out this WebMD article to learn more about green potatoes. Healthline also offers an informative article on whether green spots on a potato are harmful.
Possible solanine poisoning
Solanine poisoning happens when you digest potatoes that high levels of solanine poisoning (a toxin produced by pigmented fruits and vegetables).
Symptoms of this sickness include nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, headache, and dizziness, among other unpleasant things.
If you think this is something you are suffering from, please contact your health care provider immediately.
Top reader favorite potato recipes
Now that you know everything about potato storage, why not try out some recipes with those leftover spuds?
Check out some of our top reader favorite potato recipes that we recommend:
- Air Fryer Home Fries
- Easy garlic and cheddar mashed potatoes
- Vegan cream cheese mashed potatoes
- Cheesy vegan mashed potatoes (gluten-free recipe and low fodmap recipe)
- Creamy dairy free mashed potato recipe
- Sour cream and onion mashed potatoes
- Vegan Potato Salad
Final thoughts
- Room temperature storage has a shorter shelf life than refrigerated storage for fresh, uncooked potatoes.
- Storing the spuds in the fridge can change both the texture and taste of them.
- Storing your spuds in a dark place without much light and with cooler temperatures is the best way to store your uncooked raw potatoes.
- If your potatoes are omitting a strong odor that's foul, musty, sour, or funky, toss the spuds and don't risk any potential health risks.
All of these proper storage tips apply to homegrown spuds of any variety, as well as spuds bought at the grocery store or your local farmer's market.
Always remember to wash your spuds before you cook with them no matter how you choose to store them. Be sure to remove any excess dirt or debris.
Picking the correct storage condition for your stockpile of potatoes or any root vegetables, like your homegrown carrots, is important to prolong the shelf life of potatoes for as long as possible.
If you have any more potato storage tips that we did not cover, please share them with us in the comment section below!
More related topics to explore
- How long do avocados last?
- How long do blueberries last?
- How long do strawberries last?
- How long do avocados last?
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