How long potatoes actually last is a common question that I get. With conflicting info online about how long and where they can be stored, it’s easy to get confused. Well, I’ve been growing the things all my life and have stored them every different way possible and at virtually every temperature. Therefore, I can give you a definitive answer.
Potatoes will last 1 or 2 weeks when kept at room temperature and 3-5 months when stored in the vegetable container in the refrigerator. In a cool dark area (45 to 50 ° F) like a root cellar, they will last 4-6 months. Dried potatoes can last up to 2 years or longer.
How long potatoes last:
| Type | Room Temperature | Refrigerator | Cool Dark Pantry/Cellar |
| Uncooked Potatoes | Up to 2 weeks | 3-4 months | 4-6 months |
| Cooked Potatoes | 2 hours | 3-5 days | N/A |
| Dried Potatoes (In Original Box) | 1-2 years | N/A | 3-4 Years |
| Dried Potatoes (Mylar bag or #10 Can) | Up to 25 years (55 to 70°F) | N/A | Up to 30 years |
Just keep in mind that shelf life can vary based on actual conditions, type of potato, and a number of other factors. Let’s explore the shelf life of potatoes further.
How Long Will Uncooked Potatoes Last?
One thing to keep in mind is that when purchased from the buyer, you can never really be sure how fresh potatoes are. For all we know, they could have been in the shop for many weeks.
Potatoes are very versatile and are available from the supermarket or whole foods markets. When given a choice, buy them from a whole foods type store as they are likely to be fresher and therefore last longer. Even better, if you have an opportunity, purchase the potatoes at the local farmer’s market.
Can I Freeze Potatoes?
Do not freeze your whole potatoes as this will ruin them. Either put them into the bottom of the refrigerator or in a dark, cool pantry area until they are needed.
Related Are Potatoes a Good Survival Food? | 3 Things to Consider.
How Long Will Cooked Potatoes Last?
When boiled and mashed with a bit of milk, unused portions will last in the refrigerator for three days. Mashed potatoes can be frozen for around three months. If baked to a lovely golden brown, they will also be good in the refrigerator for up to four days.
If you are making potato chips, they are best eaten immediately, as they will become soggy when refrigerated. Different nationalities cook potatoes in different ways Italians make potato gnocchi, and theIndian culture makes potato pakora, which can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen.
How to Tell If Potatoes Have Gone Bad?
There are five main ways to tell if potatoes have gone bad:
- They have become soft to the touch
- They may have brown patches on them. If there is one brown spot, it sometimes leads to a small worm that could be tunneling inside. Throw the potato away.
- If there is any green on the potato, do not cut it out. Throw it away, as it could be toxic.
- If you cook them and they taste bitter, do not eat as there could be a problem.
- If there is any sign of mold on the skin, do not eat it.
How to Properly Store Potatoes
Learning how to store potatoes correctly is important. Please do not leave in the light as they will become green and inedible and start to send up shoots. The green on the potato indicates the presence of a toxin called solanine, and once they turn green, it is best to throw them away.
Make sure that your potatoes are firm when you bring them home from the shop, and then you can safely store them either in the crisper at the bottom of the refrigerator or in a cool dark drawer or pantry. The darkness is essential as any light, and they will start to shoot sprouts and become inedible.
If they are in the refrigerator, put them into a fridge storage bag first. Do not store in the same drawer as the onions leave the onions out, as being next to them will cause deterioration of the potatoes. Leave onions hanging up in a net bag. If you have brought your potatoes home in a hessian bag, leave them in it as this will help to keep the light out. Put the bag into your pantry area or root cellar if you have one.
Best Way to Store Raw Potatoes
Have some drawers or boxes in your pantry or root cellar to store vegetables separately as it is better not to put them all in the same drawer. Make sure that the pantry is dark to stop your potatoes from reacting to light.
To save time, if you have peeled your potatoes, put them in a plastic container (Amazon Recommendation), and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week, until needed.
If you grow potatoes, when you dig them out of the ground, shake off the earth, but do not wash them until you are ready to use them. If they are whole, do not remove them until you are prepared to use them, just put them away in a dark, cool area, unless it is mid-summer they do not need to be in the refrigerator. If you can put them into a cloth shopping bag, it will increase the darkness and help you to store them for slightly longer.
How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Last?
Sweet potatoes will last for 3-5 months when stored in the vegetable container in the refrigerator and about 1 or 2 weeks when kept at room temperature. In a cool dark area like a root cellar, they can last as long as 4-6 months.
The Best Way to Store Cooked Potatoes
Always refrigerate potatoes once they are cooked. In some families, potatoes are the only vegetable that the children will eat, and it is a good idea to have some potatoes cooked and frozen ready to serve. Boiled potatoes can be frozen in portions in plastic containers and will last for about 12 weeks. Just make sure you label them with the date for future reference.
Baked potatoes can be frozen and reconstituted as a microwave dinner at a later date. Small potatoes chats can be boiled whole and frozen to later use in salads. Or if making a potato salad that can also be frozen for 12 weeks. It is something that can be quickly served with your weekday dinner when prepared in advance and frozen.
How Long Do Mashed Potatoes Last in the Fridge?
When stored properly in an airtight container, mashed potatoes will typically last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. However, if the potatoes had sat out for 2 hours or longer after the meal, it is best to throw them out and not attempt to save them due to potential bacterial proliferation.
How Long Do Cooked Instant Mashed Potatoes Last in the Fridge?
When stored properly in an airtight container, instant mashed potatoes will typically last 4 or 5 days in the refrigerator. However, if the instant potatoes have sat out for 2 hours or longer after the meal, it is best to throw them out due to the possibility that bacteria could be present.
Does the Type of Potato Matter?
Russets and Yukons, which are dense and often used in fries, tend to last longer than new white potatoes.
There are too many types of potatoes to mention them all, but a basic knowledge will help the purchaser to make the right choice when buying:
- Desiree– Red-skinned with cream flesh, best for boiling, mashing, and salads.
- Carisma– Low GI, useful for controlling blood sugar levels, can be used for mashing and baking.
- Kestral– Cream colored with purple marks, Mashing, roasting, and baking.
- Pontiac– Round and smooth with pink skin, mashing, boiling, and salads.
- Cream Delight- Available in small sizes, can be boiled and put into salads.
Helpful Related Products
For your convenience, here are the products mentioned in this article:
Final Thoughts
Potatoes are such a universally liked vegetable, and they can be cooked in many different ways. They are the third biggest crop globally, and 55% of households buy potatoes every week. The potato contains fiber and vitamins B and C, which is mainly in the skin, and if you are boiling them depending on the type, you could consider leaving the skin on.
It is my opinion that it is unnecessary to ever buy instant potatoes from the supermarket since they are so easy to prepare yourself. Unless, of course, you are trying to fill your long-term emergency food stores. You may want to check out my article on how to store rice and beans for the long term if you want a DIY solution.
Of course, if you want the easiest solution, I recommend My Patriot Supply for your long-term stored foods needs.
Anne James has a wealth of experience in a wide array of interests and is an expert in quilting, cooking, gardening, camping, mixing drinks (worked as a professional bartender), and making jelly.
Anne has a professional canning business, has been featured in the local newspaper as well as on the Hershey website, and has been her family canner for decades. Anyone growing up in the South knows that there is always a person in the family who has knowledge of the “old ways,” and this is exactly what Anne is.
With over 55 years of experience in these endeavors, she brings a level of hands-on knowledge that is hard to surpass. Amazingly, she doesn’t need to reference many resources due to her vast wealth of experience. She IS the source.
Anne wants nothing more than to pass on her extensive knowledge to the next generations, whether that be family or anyone visiting her website, her YouTube channel, or preservingsweetness.com.