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How to Store Potatoes Long Term (It Works!)

July 17, 2022 By Heidi 32 Comments

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

Are you wondering How to Store Potatoes Long Term without a root cellar? These simple little potato storage tricks work like a charm!

Then… be sure you also know How to Keep Strawberries Fresh Longer and how to Grow Green Onions in Water!

How to Store Potatoes Long Term

How to Store Potatoes Long Term

Once you know How to Store Potatoes Long Term, keeping fresh potatoes on hand at home will be so much easier.

There’s nothing worse than going to grab some potatoes for dinner only to realize they’ve started sprouting or turning green, right?

That’s why I’ve rounded up some of my favorite potato storage tricks to share with you today!

These simply kitchen tips work great for Russet Potatoes, Red Potatoes, Yellow Potatoes, Petite Fingerlings, and Sweet Potatoes… and are the easiest way to make your potatoes last longer!

So what is the best way to store potatoes? Simply follow these proven tips to ensure you’ll have potatoes on hand whenever you need them.

Here’s what you need to do to help your potatoes last longer at home…

Related: Fruit and Veggie Wash

How Do You Store Potatoes Long Term Without a Root Cellar?

It’s actually so easy!

No root cellar is required to be able to store your potatoes for an extended period of time.

All you’ll need are cool, dark and dry conditions, and you can drastically extend the life of your potatoes!

#1: Store Potatoes in a Cool Cupboard, Closet, Basement, or Root Cellar.

The warmer the temperature, the faster your potatoes will want to sprout.

That’s why you’ll first want to find a cool location in your home to store your potatoes.

Whether it’s a cool cupboard or hall closet, a chilly basement, or even a root cellar, the cooler the location the longer the potatoes will hold off on sprouting.

#2: But Keep Them Out of the Refrigerator

How to Store Potatoes Long Term

Even though potatoes love cool locations, you’ll want to make sure you keep them OUT of your refrigerator.

When potatoes are stored in the fridge, the starches in them can convert to sugar.

#3: Store Potatoes in a Dark Location & Keep the Light Away

Now back to that cool cupboard, closet, basement or root cellar… in addition to a nice cool location, you’ll also want to keep your potatoes out of the light.

Why store potatoes in the dark?

Well, when potatoes are exposed to too much light, a green hue can start to take over on the skin. This can be a sign that the potato is now potentially harmful to eat, so we obviously want to avoid having potatoes ever start to turn green in the first place.

Thankfully, the lack of light will help avoid that, prolong the life of the potato, and reduce early sprouting.

#4: Store Potatoes in a Brown Paper Bag or Wire Basket

How to Store Potatoes Long Term

The key here is to always make sure your potatoes are well ventilated when stored. So if you’re wondering… can you store potatoes in a paper sack?

Well, you sure can!

As opposed to closed off airtight containers or zipped up plastic bags, open brown paper bags are a great way to store potatoes to allow for proper ventilation and air flow. I like to punch holes in my bags with a paper hole punch first to allow for even better ventilation.

Simply fold your bag in half and punch two rows of holes every inch or two like this…

Or as an alternative, you can place them in a large open plastic milk crate or wire basket with holes allowing for plenty of air circulation.

#5: Keep Potatoes Dry & Away from Humidity

Along with the well ventilated storage… you’ll want to make sure you also find a dry spot in your home to store potatoes.

So a steamy bathroom closet or garage that gets humid obviously won’t be good options.

When you’re locating that perfect, cool, dark spot in your home… just make sure it’s a spot that also is nice and dry.

Bonus Tip: How to Store Potatoes From Garden

Do you have potatoes growing outside in the garden, or potato grow bags?

Here’s what you need to do…

Frugal friend Margaret writes: “One other tip for people growing their own potatoes… gently brush off the dirt. DO NOT WASH THEM. I learned this tip in 4H. It helps keep them longer. That also goes for all stored, home grown root vegetables.”

How to Use up Potatoes at Home

Related: Delicious Potato Side Dish Recipes

So now that you know how to store potatoes long term, you may want some more ideas of delicious ways to use up those taters!

Here are some of my favorite ways to use potatoes…

  • Cheesy Potato Bake
  • Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
  • Hasselback Potatoes
  • Homemade Baked Potato Soup
  • Homemade Hash Browns
  • Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Loaded Potato Casserole
  • Loaded Smashed Potatoes
  • Potato Pancakes
  • Pressure Cooker Baked Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
  • Roasted Herb Potatoes
  • Seasoned Potato Wedges Recipe
  • Shepherd’s Pie
  • Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Fries
  • Sweet Potato Baby Food
  • Delicious Sweet Potato Pie
  • Zuppa Toscana
Preserving Potatoes for Later

More Food Preservation Tips

One of the easiest ways to save money on groceries is to simply avoid food waste.  

So be sure to check out even more of my clever tips that will help your produce last longer…

How to Keep Strawberries Fresh Longer

With these easy little tricks, you’ll never need to toss out your favorite berries again!

Fresh Strawberries

How to Keep Bananas Fresh

If you want to keep your bananas from ripening too quickly, you really need to try this trick!

How to Keep Lettuce Fresh

Avoid waste and make your lettuce last longer when you use this easy tip!

How to Keep Celery Fresh

Keep your Celery fresh and crisp with this simple tip that is sure to save you money!

How to Keep Cilantro Fresh

Keeping Cilantro Fresh really couldn’t be easier, and it’s the only way I store it.  This little kitchen trick works like a charm!

How to Keep Basil Fresh

Make your fresh basil last longer when you use this simple trick for how to keep basil fresh!

Growing Green Onions in Water

This is one of my favorite tips.  It feels unbelievable it’s so easy!

Growing Green Onions in Water Indoors

Genius Kitchen Tips and Tricks to Save Time and Effort

Stock up on loads and loads of helpful ideas for making everything in your kitchen… EASIER!!

Genius Kitchen Tips and Tricks

Canning and Preserving for Beginners (Your Ultimate Guide)

This guide to Canning and Preserving for Beginners will give you the easy step-by-step instructions you need to get started canning and preserving your own food.

Clever Kitchen and Grocery Tips

Fruit and Veggie Wash

Before you use bite into those fruits and veggies, be sure to use this DIY Fruit and Veggie Wash with Vinegar!

Sweet Potato Slips (How to Grow Sweet Potatoes at Home!)

Did you know it’s actually really easy to grow your own sweet potatoes at home? All you’ll need are some Sweet Potato Slips to get started!

101 Easy Meal Prep Ideas

Mealtime is about to get ridiculously simple with this HUGE list of Easy Meal Prep Ideas! You won’t believe how much time and money you’ll save each week!

Easy Meal Prep Ideas

How To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half (35 Brilliant Money Saving Tips)

Want to know how to cut your grocery bill in half?  Keep more cash in your wallet with these easy money saving tricks!

Homesteading 101! (Ultimate Guide for Homesteaders Today)

Savor every moment of the simpler life and take your homesteader skills to the next level with this ultimate guide for Homesteading 101!

So have you tried any of these tips for How to Store Potatoes Long Term yet?

Leave a comment & share!

Filed Under: Kitchen Tips Tagged With: Potatoes

Comments

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    • Angela white says

      July 25, 2022 at 3:23 pm

      I always stored my potatoes inside the refrigerator but from today I will keep them out of the refrigerator thanks for sharing these important tips

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 25, 2022 at 4:22 pm

        You’re very welcome, Angela… I’m so glad you liked the tips!

        Reply
    • CoCo says

      July 22, 2022 at 12:31 pm

      These are all great tips for storing potatoes, Heidi! I had no idea you could put them in a paper bag with holes like that but I’m excited to pass that trick along. We have ours in a basket in the pantry right now and they seem to be doing ok but our pantry is on an exterior wall so I definitely need to make sure they’re safe from the humidity. Thanks for the heads up! Hugs, CoCo

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 22, 2022 at 5:20 pm

        Those pantry walls that face the exterior sure can be tricky… I have one of those too, and in the Summer I can just feel the heat pouring in!

        Reply
    • Tasia ~ two sugar bugs says

      July 21, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      Great tips! We store ours in a basket in the pantry with onions and garlic. I love the idea of the hole punched paper bag; I need to try it!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 22, 2022 at 5:19 pm

        Yes… definitely give it a try!

        Reply
    • The Exclusive Beauty Diary says

      July 20, 2022 at 3:04 am

      I always store potatoes in basement because there is dark and cold all of the time.

      http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:54 pm

        That’s wonderful… it sounds like the perfect spot for potato storage!

        Reply
    • Adriana Leandro says

      July 19, 2022 at 1:17 pm

      Interesting tips.
      I live in tropical country and my potatoes sprout in a few days. I need to eat quickly.
      Have a nice day.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:53 pm

        They really do sprout so quickly in warm and humid environments… I’m glad you liked the tips!

        Reply
    • Val says

      July 19, 2022 at 8:29 am

      Great tips. I knew storing potatoes in a paper bag is helpful but I did not realize it should have holes in it. Potatoes don’t last long in our house so storage is never a problem. 🙂

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:53 pm

        Aren’t they SO delicious and versatile? 🙂

        Reply
    • Healthy World Cuisine says

      July 19, 2022 at 5:57 am

      Love the hole punch idea in a big paper bag. We have a big basket but also store onions and garlic so having them in a bag for each is perfect.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:52 pm

        Definitely… I love that idea for having a bag for each!

        Reply
    • Kathrine Eldridge says

      July 19, 2022 at 4:20 am

      Thanks for these tips for storing because I was wondering! Taking the potatoes out of the frig now. Lol!

      https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:51 pm

        Haha… that’s a good choice, Kathrine! 🙂

        Reply
    • delphine says

      July 19, 2022 at 1:19 am

      Merci beaucoup pour ces conseils, on aime beaucoup les pommes de terre à la maison
      Bonne journée

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:51 pm

        Avec plaisir, Delphine. 🙂 Bonne journée

        Reply
    • Lovely says

      July 18, 2022 at 9:04 pm

      These are great tips. I see some of my friends storing potatoes in the fridge, and that’s a big no for me.
      xoxo
      Lovely
      http://www.mynameislovely.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:50 pm

        I completely agree, Lovely! They really are so much better out of the fridge. 🙂

        Reply
    • Her Digital Coffee says

      July 18, 2022 at 8:21 pm

      Thank you for sharing your tips Heidi! I’ve always stored my potatoes in the pantry and now I’ll keep in mind to use a paper bag or wire basket. Storing food properly is so important and helps us deal with less waste!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:50 pm

        That’s so true… I’m always looking for ways to cut down on food waste, and these tricks really do help!

        Reply
    • Judee says

      July 18, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      Thanks Heidi,
      I live in Florida and my potatoes sprout in a few days when I get them home. It is so frustrating but even with the air on our condo has a high humidity. I’ll try the paper bag tip. Thanks

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 18, 2022 at 5:59 pm

        Oh no ~ that humidity really does a number on potatoes! Definitely try the paper bag tip or a wire basket in a cool dark closet. 🙂

        Reply
    • Michelle says

      July 18, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      Great tips! Love the idea of punching out holes in the paper bag! Will have to try it out!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 18, 2022 at 4:57 pm

        Yes, definitely… it’s such a simple little trick! 🙂

        Reply
    • Carol says

      July 18, 2022 at 3:59 pm

      I already follow most of your suggestions. Living in Florida, few homes have a basement or cellar. I store mine in a brown paper bag in a closet. It’s the same temperature as the rest of the house but that’s all I can do that way. Good post!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 18, 2022 at 4:56 pm

        That’s so good you’re already storing them in a brown paper bag in a dark closet, Carol… even if that’s all you can do, you’re already way ahead of the game!

        Reply
    • somewhereinireland says

      July 18, 2022 at 1:52 pm

      Great tips! We usually store them in a wire basket and they keep well.
      Have a wonderful week!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 18, 2022 at 1:56 pm

        That’s wonderful… that airflow really does make such a difference!

        Reply
    • Veronica Lee says

      July 17, 2022 at 8:42 pm

      Once again, thanks for these handy tips, Heidi.

      Potatoes sprout fast in our tropical corner of the world!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        July 18, 2022 at 12:17 pm

        You’re very welcome, Veronica! These tips will definitely help to slow down that sprouting process! 🙂

        Reply

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    About Heidi Picture
    Hi, I'm Heidi... I'm so glad you're here! I'm the Frugal Girl living here in sunny AZ with my hubby, and love sharing Easy Recipes & Frugal Living Tips!
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