You're staring at a 10-lb. bag of russets, wondering how long do potatoes last before they sprout? The spuds will be good for a month or two, as long as you store them the right way.
How Long Do Potatoes Last? How to Store Potatoes to Increase Shelf Life
Updated on Aug. 31, 2024
The rule of thumb when it comes to spuds is “more is better.” You never know how many people will want a second helping of hearty potato recipes, which is why so many of us buy our russets and reds in 5- or 10-pound bags. You might think potatoes last forever, but it depends on how you store ’em.
How long do potatoes last?
In the pantry, potatoes can last for one to two months, says Dr. Vanessa Coffman, director of the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness. Since “best by” dates are only regulated for infant formula, check the packaging to see if there’s a “use by” date instead. Once the “use by” date has passed, it’s likely that the quality or flavor of the potatoes has diminished.
How to Store Potatoes at Room Temperature
Learning how to store potatoes and onions (spoiler: not together) will increase the longevity of both vegetables.
Don’t place your potatoes in a bowl on the kitchen counter and expect them to hang in there all week. Instead, they should be stored in a cupboard, pantry or cellar. “Potatoes should be stored in a well-ventilated cool, dry and dark place, ideally between 45 to 55°F—otherwise there’s risk of potatoes going bad,” says Coffman.
You may think the ideal “cool, dark and dry” storage spot sounds like a fridge, but that’s not the case. Potatoes are one of the foods that shouldn’t be stored in the refrigerator. Why? Storage temps below 45° can cause the starches to convert to sugar and change the taste of your tuber.
If you’re used to washing your produce ahead of time (especially root vegetables with dirt on the skin), remind yourself to skip that step when it comes to potatoes. Potatoes shouldn’t be washed until you’re ready to use them, because moisture from washing promotes the growth of fungus and bacteria.
How do you store cooked potatoes?
Within two hours, transfer leftover cooked potatoes to a shallow container and place in the refrigerator. The timeline is crucial. After two hours, the leftovers become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureus, campylobacter, E. coli and salmonella that can make someone ill.
How do you store potatoes in the freezer?
You can peel and blanch potatoes in salted water, dry them and freeze them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The next day, transfer those potatoes to a zip-close storage bag so they take up less space in the freezer.
How do you know if a potato has gone bad?
Raw Potatoes
Examine the potato on all sides. If it’s soft, has a musty or moldy odor, dark spots or blemishes, or if it’s turned green, it’s bad. The same is true if you spot sprouts on your potatoes. “If in doubt, throw it out, as foods with harmful bacteria may not look, smell or even taste different,” says Coffman.
Cooked Potatoes
Outside of seeing actual mold growing on your leftovers, it’s nearly impossible to know when they’ve gone bad. Foodborne pathogens are invisible to the naked eye, so toss any cooked potatoes more than four days old.
The Best Potato Storage Containers
There’s a reason potatoes have their own storage containers. It’s not a ploy to get you to buy another kitchen gadget; potatoes require special containers to stay fresher longer.
There are various functional potato storage containers for every type of kitchen, but here are a few favorites: a farmhouse-style 3-piece storage set for potatoes, onions and garlic (they all thrive in the same environment when stored separately from one another); this practical potato bag with blackout lining and a stackable wire basket cart.
