Don't let good potatoes go to waste.
From French fries on the go to mashed potatoes accompanying your main course, there are many ways to cook a potato. This starchy vegetable is as versatile as you need it to be. Covering nearly every base for nutritional value from calcium to potassium, potatoes are also a substantial source of fiber. Because potatoes boast so much flavor and nutritional value, it's a shame to let them go to waste. Properly storing cooked potatoes can extend their shelf life until you want or crave them again.
Safe Storing Temperatures
Cooked potatoes need to remain warm until it is time to put them away. Improper cooling of potatoes can lead to botulism, a type of food poisoning that can lead to serious illness and in severe cases, death. Store cooked potatoes prior to consumption at 140 F or above by keeping them in the oven or in a pot on the stove with the heat turned up. Potatoes kept in the refrigerator need to be kept at 40 F or below; in the freezer, they must be kept at 0 F or below.
Refrigerator Storage
If you plan on incorporating the potatoes into your meal plan within the week, store the potatoes in the refrigerator. Place them into airtight containers or freezer bags. For baked potatoes, remove the foil wrapping before placing them in the refrigerator.
Freezer Storage
Cooked potatoes need to be cooled before freezing. Place them in the refrigerator or an ice bath for 15 to 20 minutes, then pack the potatoes into rigid airtight containers or freezer bags. For individual potato pieces that may not all be cooked at once, freeze them individually first. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread the potatoes over it before placing it in the freezer. After 15 to 20 minutes, when the potatoes have solidified, package them together in bags or containers. Mashed potatoes tend to freeze and maintain a better consistency when thawed than cubed or baked potatoes.
Storage Times and Considerations
Frozen potatoes can keep for 12 to 18 months in a freezer kept at 0 F. In the refrigerator, potatoes can be kept no longer than a week at 40 F or below. Thaw frozen potatoes in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight prior to using. Potatoes can be reheated by using your microwave, oven or stovetop.
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