In general, uncooked potatoes can last anywhere from 1 week to a few months. They’ll last longer if you keep them in a cool storage place, such as a pantry or root cellar, rather than at room temperature.
Potatoes were originally grown by native peoples of the Andes mountains in South America. Today, thousands of varieties are cultivated worldwide (1, 2, 3).
Though you may have noticed that potatoes tend to keep a long time, you may wonder precisely how long they last before spoiling.
This article tells you how long potatoes last — and how to tell whether they’re safe to eat.
The length of time that potatoes stay fresh depends on several factors, including how they’re stored and whether they’ve been cooked.
In general, uncooked potatoes can last anywhere from 1 week to a few months. Cooler temperatures, such as those afforded by a pantry or root cellar, allow them to keep longer than at room temperature.
Once cooked, potatoes last up to 4 days in the refrigerator and 1 year in the freezer, though the quality of cooked mashed potatoes suffers with freezing (4, 5).
The chart below details shelf lives for various types of potatoes, including sweet, russet, Yukon Gold, red, and purple varieties.
Even if you keep shelf life in mind, you should still check potatoes for telltale signs of spoilage.
Raw potatoes should be firm to the touch with tight skin that’s free of large bruises, black spots, or other blemishes.
Though it’s normal for potatoes to smell earthy or nutty, a musty or moldy odor is a hallmark of spoilage.
Sometimes, a potato might have a blemish or bad spot on the inside that you can’t see from the outside. A strong smell coming from an otherwise fresh-looking potato is a warning that the inside may have rotted or started to mold.
Cooked potatoes and other cooked vegetables can be safely kept in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates fruits and vegetables, if more information is needed on produce, you can call the FDA toll-free at (888) 723-3366 or go to their website at FDA (www.fda.gov).
Potatoes were originally grown by native peoples of the Andes mountains in South America. Today, thousands of varieties are cultivated worldwide (1, 2, 3).
Though it’s normal for potatoes to smell earthy or nutty, a musty or moldy odor is a hallmark of spoilage.
The chart below details shelf lives for various types of potatoes, including sweet, russet, Yukon Gold, red, and purple varieties.
Once cooked, potatoes last up to 4 days in the refrigerator and 1 year in the freezer, though the quality of cooked mashed potatoes suffers with freezing (4, 5).
Though you may have noticed that potatoes tend to keep a long time, you may wonder precisely how long they last before spoiling.
I baked several potatoes last week and put them in the fridge in individual containers. Would they still be ok to eat? I baked them using a rack that has a sharp tab that pierces the potato and holds it in place so there is a small cut in them. They are stored plain with no butter, sour cream, etc. The skin is dry and loose but the inside looks and smells fine. I have heard bad things about foil wrapped potatoes and wondered if the Tupperware containers would be considered a low oxygen environment?
These should be fine for a few days, 3-4 max. The food safety issue with foil is that if the potatoes were taken from the oven, warm, and sealed up in foil, then left out at room temp for an extended period of time then you should not eat them. Also, if they have dairy mixed with them that could introduce something that could grow with a neutral PH from the potato. If you baked the potatoes, let cool before sealing up in the plastic tubs, then refrigerated they should be fine.
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FAQ
How do you know if cooked potatoes have gone bad?
Can you eat potatoes 6 days out of date?
Are week old potatoes safe to eat?
When should you throw out potatoes?
How long can you keep cooked potatoes?
We’re here to help you find what you’re looking for. How long can you store cooked potatoes? Cooked potatoes and other cooked vegetables can be safely kept in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.
Should one have potatoes every day?
It depends, as it is a good source of carbohydrate. If the person is making a control in the consumption of carbohydrates, he should eat in moderation, that is, not somatising with other foods that are sources of carbohydrate. Like, macaroni and potatoes, ends up with a high load.
Are potatoes safe to eat?
Potatoes can pose health risks if a person consumes them after storing them incorrectly. But if a person stores potatoes correctly, they can safely keep for a long time. Potatoes are starchy tubers, which grow beneath the soil surface. These vegetables are good sources of some important vitamins and minerals.
What happens if you eat cooked potatoes?
Cooked potatoes may have mold but can also spoil without any noticeable signs. Cooked potatoes carry a high risk of food poisoning. After a few days, they may begin to harbor pathogens and bacteria that could result in illnesses, such as salmonella, listeria, botulism, and staphylococcal food poisoning.