How to store Potatoes
In the freezer: 365 days
In the pantry: 90 days
Store potatoes in a paper bag or breathable basket in a cool dark dry place — root cellar, pantry, or kitchen cabinet away from heat. Aim for 7–10°C. Light triggers green-skin formation (solanine, mildly toxic); humidity rots them. Don't store potatoes near onions: each releases gases that speed up the other's spoilage. Check the stash weekly and remove any soft or sprouting ones before the rot spreads. Don't wash before storing; wash just before cooking.
How to store it
- Cool dark dry pantry, 7–10°C
- Paper bag or breathable basket, not plastic
- Away from onions — speed up each other's spoilage
- Check weekly, remove soft or sprouted ones
- Don't refrigerate raw potatoes
Signs it has gone bad
- Soft or shriveled skin
- Deep green color through the flesh, not just skin
- Long sprouts more than 1cm
- Mold, slime, or strong rotten smell
Signs it has gone bad
How long do potatoes last?
Whole raw potatoes last 2–3 months in a cool dark pantry. Cooked potatoes keep 3–5 days refrigerated.
Should you refrigerate potatoes?
No — cold converts starch to sugar, making potatoes taste sweet and brown quickly when cooked. Use a cool pantry instead.
Are sprouted potatoes safe to eat?
Yes, after removing the sprouts and any green skin. Deeply green or shriveled potatoes contain too much solanine — throw them out.