How to Store Potatoes to Keep Them Fresh | Glad® (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Potatoes to Keep Them Fresh | Glad®? ›

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.

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.

Lack of airflow can cause potatoes to accumulate moisture and spoil quickly from the growth of mold and bacteria. So, skip the airtight containers and sealed plastic bags. Instead, opt for airy containers like mesh produce bags, muslin breathable bags, paper bags, wire baskets, and burlap sacks.

2. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Storage Conditions A dark place that is 38-42 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 - 90 percent humidity is perfect. Common places that work well are a basem*nt (away from the furnace), garage, root cellar, or a dark and cool closet or kitchen cupboard close the floor.

Can you freeze raw potatoes? ›

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.

Eventually, potatoes will start to lose their freshness and may develop sprouts or get moldy. So, in order to keep potatoes fresh for 4 to 6 months you'll need a proper food storage container or plastic zip bag that seals in air to properly store them in.

Keep your spuds in a dark environment to help prevent sprouting. Stashing tubers in a lidded box works great. Some folks store them in slightly open dresser drawers or newspaper-lined clothes baskets. Avoid too-cool temps, which can trigger starches in potatoes to turn into sugars.

Store your potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place until use. The optimum storage is 45-55 degrees F. Avoid storing potatoes where the temperature may change frequently, such as next to appliances or under the sink, or in direct sunlight, such as countertops.