Learn whether its safe to cook potatoes with eyes—or if its time to let them go.
Leah Brickley is a senior editor and Emily Saladino is a culinary editor at Food Network.
Whether youve had a bowl of russets on the counter for days, or just picked up a handful of fingerlings the farmers market, your potatoes might start to sprout. Sometimes called eyes, these frilly growths can look worrisome but are entirely natural. Sprouted potatoes are safe to eat, too; just remove the eyes and check the rest of the potatoes for freshness. Heres how to know if its safe to eat sprouted potatoes and when its better to toss them—or if its time to give them a new life beyond the kitchen.
Sprouted potatoes that are still firm, have relatively small sprouts, and don’t show any wrinkles or shriveling are okay to eat, as long as you cut off the sprouted parts and soft spots. However, there’s still a chance you could get sick. If your potato is sprouted and shriveled up, then it’s too far gone. Toss, it.
Sprouted Potato Fast Facts
Its NOT safe to eat potatoes that are:
Soft, squishy or wrinkly
Greenish in color on the outside or under the skin
It is safe to eat potatoes that are:
Normally colored, with no greenish tint
Sprouted — simply dig out the sprouts with a peeler
Why Do Potatoes Sprout?
Potatoes sprout when theyre stored in a space circa 68 degrees F. These conditions make the plants think that its spring and thus time to regenerate; those fuzzy “eyes” on the surface of a sprouted potato are actually the start of new potato plants, which would grow fresh tubers if planted in soil.
A potato that has grown eyes is still safe to eat so long as its firm to the touch and its skin isnt shriveled. Sprouts, however, are not edible and should be removed and tossed.
Close-up of seed potatoes spilling out of a paper bag onto a white background
Is It Safe to Eat Sprouted Potatoes? | Dietitian Q&A | EatingWell
FAQ
Can you bake potatoes with eyes on them?
Should you remove the eyes of potatoes before cooking?
Can you peel potatoes with eyes?
When should you throw out potatoes?
Can you eat a potato with eyes?
A potato that has grown eyes is still safe to eat so long as it’s firm to the touch and its skin isn’t shriveled. Sprouts, however, are not edible and should be removed and tossed. It’s easy to remove sprouts from potatoes with a sharp paring knife or vegetable peeler.
Is it healthy to eat a baked potato every day?
It is safe to consume potatoes every day as long as you cook them without much salt or saturated fats (fried). One medium-size potato can be part of a healthy diet, although it is better to combined other foods.
Are potato eyes poisonous?
While some people may view potato eyes as a delicacy and consume them, it is important to know whether they are safe to eat or not. The truth is, potato eyes are not generally poisonous but can contain solanine, a chemical that can lead to digestive distress and other health issues.
What happens if you eat a lot of potato eyes?
The amount of solanine in potato eyes varies, and the level may become toxic if a large number of potato eyes are eaten. The signs of solanine poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, headaches, and nausea.