4 Storage Tips to Keep Potatoes Fresh
- Keep potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place. As a rule of thumb, the best place to store potatoes is in a cool, dry area of your kitchen, with ...
- A basket, bowl, or paper bag is better than a plastic bag. ...
- Never store potatoes in the refrigerator. There’s no need to keep potatoes in the fridge. ...
- Avoid storing potatoes near onions, bananas, or apples. ...
How to make potatoes last longer?
Method 1 Method 1 of 2: Storing Potatoes Download Article
- Sort your potatoes. After buying a bunch of potatoes or gathering them from your garden, take a few moments to sift through them.
- Store healthy potatoes in a dark, dry place. Once you've separated the damaged potatoes from the undamaged ones, put the latter in a spot that's not exposed to light ...
- Keep the temperature cool. ...
What temperature to store potatoes?
How to Store Potatoes so They Last for Months (Yes, Months)
- Keep Them out of the Sunlight (but Not out of Sight). Don’t store potatoes out in the open on the countertop. ...
- Make Sure They Still Have Airflow. Either transfer your potatoes to a paper or mesh bag, like the Five Two Organic Cotton Reusable Produce Bags or a well-ventilated container.
- Don’t Store Them Next to Your Onions. ...
- Avoid Warm Spots. ...
How to store potatoes to keep them fresh?
Store Raw Potatoes in a Cool Place
- Store potatoes in a well-ventilated container, ideally one with holes on the sides to allow proper airflow.
- Keep them in a cool place that is not exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures.
- Store your potatoes away from onions and other vegetables because their smell can seep into food easily when they are stored together.
How to keep potatoes overnight?
Storing peeled potatoes overnight is as easy as 1-2-3:
- Peel potatoes using a vegetable peeler (this top-rated OXO peeler glides through tough skins like a breeze). ...
- Fill a bowl with cool water, submerge potatoes, then cover with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator overnight.
- When it's time to start working with the potatoes, just drain them well in a colander and get cooking.

How do you store potatoes in the kitchen?
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.
What is the best way to store potatoes?
Where should I store them? You need to keep your potatoes in a dry, dark place. Exposure to light or moisture can bring on rotting in the skin. You'll also need to allow your spuds to be well-ventilated so avoid any airtight containers or spots – a netted bag or wicker basket should do the trick.
Should you store potatoes in cupboard?
Your potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard for up to 5 weeks. Use a storage container that is well-ventilated, such as a crate, a cardboard box with holes punched in it, or any container that will allow any excess moisture to evaporate.
Should potatoes be kept in the refrigerator or on the counter?
Uncooked potatoes are best kept somewhere cool and dry, but don't keep them in the fridge. Putting potatoes in the fridge can increase the amount of sugar they contain, and lead to higher levels of a chemical called acrylamide when the potatoes are baked, fried or roasted at high temperatures.
How do you store potatoes at home?
The key is to store potatoes in a cool dry place, like in the cabinet of a pantry, in a paper bag or cardboard box. It's important to keep potatoes at the cool, ideal temperature (but not, surprisingly, the fridge) to prevent them from turning green, getting soft spots, or pre-maturely sprouting.
Where should onions and potatoes be stored?
Keep 'em where you can see 'em: Don't shove these foods into the cold recesses of the back of the fridge, says Davison. Instead, keep them in the front where it's warmest (but still cool, because it is a refrigerator, after all). The fridge will keep them fresh but if it's too cold, they could become dried out.
Where should potatoes be stored in an apartment?
Potatoes and onions should be stored separately in a cool, dry area. In a small apartment, they could be placed on the countertop or a shelf provided that they are inside a container. Put them inside different a paper bag with ventilation. Limit their exposure to light to avoid sprouting.
Where should onions be stored in the kitchen?
Keep storage onions in a cool, dark, and dry place. Moisture and light lead to mold (ew) and sprouting (annoying, though not a deal-breaker), so stow your storage onions (red, yellow, and white as well as shallots and the diminutive pearl and cippoline) in a dry, well-ventilated basket, bin, or large bowl.
How do you store onions and potatoes in the pantry?
0:371:38The Best Way to Store Potatoes and Onions, According to Rach - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMy mother being an old-school Sicilian that she is she kept our potatoes onions and most of ourMoreMy mother being an old-school Sicilian that she is she kept our potatoes onions and most of our pantry in the dishwasher. Using the racks to separate. Things. That's not how I do it I keep them dry
How do you store potatoes so they don't sprout?
Store potatoes with an apple to avoid early sprouting. Keep them away from onions and in a cool, dark place. The ethylene gas given off by an apple will prevent potatoes from sprouting, while keeping onions nearby will actually cause them to sprout.
How do you keep potatoes from spoiling?
4 Storage Tips to Keep Potatoes FreshKeep potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place. ... A basket, bowl, or paper bag is better than a plastic bag. ... Never store potatoes in the refrigerator. ... Avoid storing potatoes near onions, bananas, or apples.
Should onions be stored in the refrigerator?
Avoid Storing Whole Onions in the Fridge That's why onions are best stored in a cool but dry, dark and well-ventilated place. These conditions ensure that they don't absorb too much moisture or experience heat or humidity. Storing whole onions in the fridge exposes them to cold, humid conditions.
How to store potatoes?
How to Store Your Potatoes 1 Inspect all the potatoes for soft spots, sprouts, mold, shovel damage, and pest damage. Only perfect potatoes are suitable for long-term storage. 2 Place the potatoes in a cardboard box, paper bag, mesh bag, or basket to ensure good ventilation. Plastic bags won't allow them to breathe and will shorten their shelf life considerably, so remove them from a plastic bag if you've brought them home in one. 3 Store your potatoes in a cool, humid, and dark place (45 to 50 F is the ideal temperature range). If you have an unheated basement, that's a perfect spot for your potatoes. An insulated garage or shed might also work during the winter. Never store potatoes in the fridge. The too-cold temperature turns the potato starch into sugar. 4 Check on your potatoes regularly and remove any that are soft, shriveled, or sprouted so they don't cause more potatoes to go bad. Even if your potatoes have sprouted, they are still safe to eat as long as they are firm to the touch and are not shriveled. 1
How to store potatoes long term?
Only perfect potatoes are suitable for long-term storage. Place the potatoes in a cardboard box, paper bag, mesh bag, or basket to ensure good ventilation. Plastic bags won't allow them to breathe and will shorten their shelf life considerably, so remove them from a plastic bag if you've brought them home in one.
How to keep potatoes going year after year?
Just cut your potatoes up so there's an eye on each piece; allow them to harden off and then plant them in your garden. If you're growing varieties that you love, this is a great way to keep them going year after year, without any added expense. A Definitive Guide to 10 Types of Potatoes. Article Sources.
Why is it important to keep potatoes away from onions?
Keep your potatoes away from other produce to prevent flavor transfer and premature ripening. It's especially important to keep your potatoes away from onions. They both release gases that ripen the other one. This makes that combo potato and onion storage box an all-around bad idea.
How long do potatoes last?
Potatoes last longer on the kitchen counter than most fruits and vegetables, but eventually, they start to sprout green shoots and lose some of their freshness and flavor. If you know how to store them properly, they'll stay fresh weeks, or possibly even months, longer.
When do potatoes sprout?
Aim to store no more potatoes than you can use during the fall and winter. Once spring arrives, those potatoes are going to start sprouting. Of course, if you're a gardener, sprouted potatoes aren't a problem at all.
Do store bought potatoes sprout?
Avoiding Sprouts. If you grow your own potatoes, it's especially important to store them properly. Store-bought potatoes are usually sprayed with growth inhibitors that slow down their sprouting. Your potatoes won't have that advantage (though most gardeners would say that's no advantage at all).
Pantry
The best way to store potatoes is in a cool, dark, and dry place with sufficient air flow and circulation. Storing them out of the sunlight will help prevent sprouting. The ideal temperature for storing potatoes is between 35–40°F, preferably nothing below freezing or above 60°F. More often than not, this will be a pantry or a root cellar.
Countertop
The most common method of potato storage is storing them on the countertop. Potatoes last longer on the countertop than most other fruits and vegetables. The best way to store potatoes on the countertop is in a fruit or bread basket. Alternatively, a bread box with air holes can do the trick.
Refrigerator
Storing potatoes in the refrigerator is not ideal for the long-term, as the cold temperatures can increase the amount of sugar they contain which in turn leads to higher levels of a chemical called acrylamide, it can also form during high-temperature cooking. This chemical poses a potential health risk in humans, so it is best to reduce any intake.
Freezer
Potatoes don't freeze well raw because they brown and turn mushy when they are defrosted. The best way to store potatoes in the freezer is to cook them first to destroy the enzymes that cause discoloration and then store them in an airtight container. Freezers can still potentially spoil potatoes if they are not sealed in an airtight container.
Cured
It is possible to cure your potatoes in order to extend their shelf life. This is especially true of homegrown spuds. To cure them, store new potatoes at a moderately high temperature of about 65°F℉ and 85–95% humidity levels for about two weeks. This can be done in an empty (and off) oven with the door slightly ajar or in a small, dark closet.
Dehydrated
For an unusual potato storage method, consider dehydrating them. This works well if you have an excess of mashed potatoes that you don't want to go bad. Place the mashed potatoes in a food processor and blend until smooth, then spoon onto a dehydrator sheet in thin layers and dry until they break away (this can take up to 36 hours).
How to store potatoes in a pantry?
Article Summary X. To store potatoes, first place them in an open bag, basket, or other ventilated container since closed containers make potatoes spoil faster. Then, store the potatoes in a cool, dry, dark place, like a pantry or your basement.
How to keep potatoes dry?
If your potatoes are covered with dirt, let them dry out, then use a dry brush to remove any noticeable clumps. You can (and should) wash them right before you start to cook them.
How to tell if a potato is bad?
However, every few weeks it is wise to check your potatoes briefly for "problem" signs. One rotten potato can infect the others around it, so getting rid of bad potatoes before they have a chance to spread is vital. Symptoms to look for include: Greening: The potato gains a subtle green color.
What causes potatoes to turn green?
Once you've separated the damaged potatoes from the undamaged ones, put the latter in a spot that's not exposed to light or moisture. These things can cause greening and/or rotting. Good examples include basements, cellars, and out-of-the-way kitchen cabinets.
How long do you let potatoes sit?
Let the potatoes sit this way undisturbed. After about two weeks, the potato skins will be thickened and dry. Brush off any large clumps of dirt from the surface of the potato and store them according to the directions above (this will require you to lower the temperature slightly).
What to look for when buying potatoes?
Look for any potatoes with broken skins, bruises, or any other visible damage. These shouldn't be stored — they will rot faster than normal and may spread the rot to undamaged potatoes.
Can you put potatoes in wicker baskets?
Additionally, you'll want your potatoes to stay well-ventilated. Most potatoes are sold in mesh bags that allow air to pass through — these are fine. Don't transfer the potatoes to an airtight container. If you picked the potatoes yourself, try layering them in wicker baskets or ventilated boxes.
How to store potatoes for spoilage?
Place in an Open Bowl or Paper Bag. 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.
Why is it important to store potatoes at lower temperatures?
). Storing at temperatures slightly above refrigeration is a great way to extend shelf life and maintain vitamin C content. Storing potatoes in a cool place helps slow their rate of sprouting and maintains their vitamin C content.
How long can you keep cooked potatoes in the refrigerator?
Store Cooked Leftovers in the Refrigerator for Three or Four Days. Cooked potatoes will last for several days in the refrigerator. However, leftovers may become watery or gummy, since potato starches change shape and release water as they cool ( 22 ).
How much solanine is in potatoes?
However, many countries have mandatory guidelines that limit the amount of solanine in commercial potatoes to under 91 mg per pound (200 mg/kg), so this is not a common concern ( 8. Trusted Source. , 9. Trusted Source. ). Solanine is almost exclusively located in the peel and first 1/8th inch (3.2 mm) of the flesh.
How long can you store raw potatoes in water?
Store Raw Slices in Water for up to One Day. Once peeled and sliced, raw potatoes quickly discolor when exposed to air. This is because they contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, which reacts with oxygen and turns the flesh a grey or brownish color.
How long do potatoes keep?
When stored between 43–50°F (6–10°C), raw potatoes will keep for many months without spoiling ( 3 ). This temperature range is slightly warmer than refrigeration and can be found in cool cellars, basements, garages or sheds.
What are the characteristics of a potato?
When selecting, look for the following characteristics: Firm to the touch: Soft potatoes have already begun to degrade, so look for firm, bright qualities. Smooth skin: Potatoes that have been damaged by cold temperatures may develop pitted skin and brown centers, so look for smooth textures.
What do you use in potato cakes?
These potato cakes use the mashed potatoes, stuffing and breadcrumbs. To go all out, add meat and cheese. —Jeri Psikal, Norman, Oklahoma. Go to Recipe. Potato Pan Rolls. My family loves these rolls and requests them often. They don't take long to make because you use quick-rise yeast.
Does potato bread keep longer?
The potato's starchy quality absorbs liquid during the kneading stage, and it holds onto that liquid during baking. The bread finishes with a crisp, brown exterior crust and a flavorful, moist interior that helps the bread keep longer. —Joan Ranzini, Waynesboro, Virginia. Go to Recipe. Taste of Home.
Can onions be stored with potatoes?
(However, garlic, another root bulb, can be safely stored alongside onions with no scary side effects.)
Can you store onions in the refrigerator?
You can keep them in a paper bag or even a wire basket. It isn’t necessary to store onions in the refrigerator, as the cold temperature will quickly soften their texture. Don’t miss all eight foods you’re spoiling in the refrigerator!
Can you keep spuds in the refrigerator?
You know that spuds should never be kept in the refrigerator. But it’s easy to think that potatoes and onions should be stored together in the pantry. Here’s the truth—storing them together might not be the best idea.
