How Long Does A Potato Last?

In a previous blog, we discussed how to pick the best potatoes for your kitchen (we’d link to that here). But, like all good things, potatoes unfortunately cannot last forever. Eventually, they will become unfit for human consumption and should be thrown in the trash. But how do you know when the spuds have gotten to this point? Here’s a quick guide on how long potatoes normally last.

Luckily, potatoes last a fairly long time compared to other produce. On average, spuds can last around two months when kept in the right conditions, compared to broccoli or asparagus, which only last a few days in a refrigerator. This begs the question: what are the right conditions for potatoes to be kept? Potatoes should be kept in cool, dry, and dark places. It also helps to put them in a box or a bag to allow the spuds to breathe. If you keep the vegetables in this condition, they should have no problem staying fresh for weeks. 

While it seems like a refrigerator checks all the boxes for a cool, dark place, it’s not recommended for storing your potatoes. This is because the moisture from various other foods can cause the starch in the potato to turn to sugar and ruin the spud. 

How do you know your potatoes are starting to turn bad? As we mentioned in a previous blog on potato selection, employ the “Triple-S Method” of Spots, Softness, and Sprouts. 

Green spots on the potato mean the vegetable has begun producing solanine, which is harmful to humans and means the potato should be thrown away immediately. Soft potatoes, like other fruits and vegetables, mean that the spud is starting to age. While this isn’t always a bad thing, it means that you might have a shorter time to cook them. Sprouts on a potato mean the vegetable is starting to show its age, and while that doesn’t mean you should automatically throw it away, it’s certainly a sign that things are going south.

By storing them correctly and watching for signs of aging, you’ll be able to get the most life out of your potato before cooking and eating them.