How to Keep Potatoes Fresh for Longer (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep potatoes fresh the longest? ›

Potatoes do best in a cool, dark room with lots of ventilation. This keeps them fresh and firm and helps prevent greening. Greening happens when chlorophyll builds up under the peel. It is associated with solanine, a bitter, toxic alkaloid that can make you sick if you eat too much of it.

Keep them in a cool, dark and dry place: Potatoes should not be exposed to direct light, as this can lead to them turning green and producing a toxic substance known as solanine. To avoid this, store potatoes in a dark place with a temperature range of 43-50°F or cover them with a cloth or paper bag.

Place: Put your potatoes in paper or mesh bags, baskets or even a cardboard box. Whatever you decide to store them in, make sure it has good ventilation.

Generally, potatoes last one to two months when stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated space (never under the sink!), such as the pantry, versus one to two weeks in the refrigerator, according to FoodSafety.gov's FoodKeeper app, the federal consumer resource for food safety.

Potatoes need airflow to prevent the accumulation of moisture, which can lead to spoilage. The best way to allow free circulation of air is to store them in an open bowl or paper bag. Do not store them in a sealed container without ventilation, such as a zipped plastic bag or lidded glassware.

Potatoes store longest if they are unwashed. After harvesting from the garden, lay them out in a single layer in a dark and airy place to let the soil dry on to the tuber. Lightly brush off excess dirt before you pack them. Pile dry, unwashed potatoes in a clean wooden or waxed cardboard bin.

A basket, bowl, or paper bag is better than a plastic bag. A paper bag, basket, or large bowl are ideal for storing a pile of potatoes since they allow for plenty of air circulation. If you carried potatoes home from the store in a plastic bag, it's best to remove them for longer-term storage.

Store potatoes away from heat and light:

Because light, heat, and humidity can make your spuds sprout faster, it's best to keep your potatoes in a cool, dry, dark place. Good options include the pantry or in a drawer, as opposed to on the counter or on a windowsill where daylight can have an effect.

Curing or drying the potatoes for 7 to 10 days further improves their storage potential. If you have clay soil, you may want to lightly rinse off excess soil, then pat the spuds dry. Lay them out in a dim room and cover them with a cloth or towels to block out sunlight.

No plastic bags

In fact, plastic bags can trap moisture, creating a damp environment where the potatoes are likely to spoil more quickly, so your best bet is to take them out and store them somewhere else. A paper bag, a small hessian sack or a basket are all good options that allow plenty of air circulation.

What is the best basket for storing potatoes? ›

A plastic basket with open weaving (something like a small laundry basket) makes a great storage bin for potatoes. Just make sure you place the basket in a dark place, like a closet or pantry. It's also important not to wash potatoes prior to storing them. You can wipe them off with a dry cloth or paper towel.

You absolutely can freeze potatoes, and you should if you have an excess of spuds. But there's one important thing to remember: You should really only freeze cooked or partially cooked potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a lot of water. This water freezes and, when thawed, makes the potatoes mushy and grainy.

Kept in a cool, dark place (around 45 to 50 degrees), potatoes will likely last up to three months! At room temperature (around 68 degrees), you can store your potatoes for about two weeks.

Keep Potatoes in a Cool and Dry Environment

As previously explained, potatoes should be placed in a cardboard box, mesh bag, or basket to ensure good ventilation. Store your potatoes in a cool, dark place (45 to 50 F is the ideal temperature range), such as your pantry or unheated basem*nt.

Store potatoes in a cool, dark place with good ventilation. Potatoes need airflow to stay fresh, so store them in a container like a basket, open box or breathable bag. And don't refrigerate them; the fridge is too cold and will trigger the potatoes' starches to convert to sugars.

To keep tubers from turning green, avoid exposing them to light. When purchasing potato tubers, check for green coloring before purchasing them. You can prevent potatoes from turning green by storing them in a cool, dark area with good air circulation and high humidity.

Sprouted potatoes that are still firm, have relatively small sprouts, and don't show any wrinkles or shriveling are okay to eat, as long as you cut off the sprouted parts and soft spots. However, there's still a chance you could get sick. If your potato is sprouted and shriveled up, then it's too far gone. Toss, it.