Freezing Potatoes
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Raw (Fresh) Potatoes:
New potatoes work best for freezing raw. Select smooth, firm potatoes from the supermarket or get them directly from the garden. Peel or scrape and wash. Remove any deep eyes, bruises or green coloring form the flesh. Cut into 1/2 inch slices or cubes. Water-blanch for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the size. Potatoes should still be somewhat firm after blanching. Cool and drain. Pack in freezer bags leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Label, seal and freeze. Potatoes can also be boiled whole with the skins on before being frozen. Cook until nearly done. Remove, cool and peel off skins. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in freezer bags. Seal, label and freeze. To prepare, finish cooking in water or microwave.French Fried Potatoes:
Use mature potatoes (stored longer than 30 days) for making fresh fried potatoes. Wash and peel potatoes. Cut them into 1/3-inch sticks lengthwise, then crosswise into 3/8-inch strips. Rinse in cold water and dry thoroughly on paper towels. Fry small amounts in deep, hot oil (360ºF) for about 5 minutes. Potatoes should be tender but not brown. Drain on paper towel. Cool. Package, seal and freeze. Store frozen for 2 months. To serve, finish browning in 425ºF oven or fry in oil. Another method is to place the potato strips in a plastic bag with salt and oil. Shake the bag until the strips are fully coated. Bake them in an oven preheated to 425º until they are golden brown. Cool, package and freeze. Store frozen for 2 months. Reheat in oven until warm.Hashed Brown Potatoes:
For hashed browned potatoes, prepare as you would to serve, only brown them only to the brown-and-serve stage. Cool and package for freezing. Store frozen for one to 2 months. When you want to use them, finish cooking and browning as you would normally.Mashed Potatoes:
Prepare mashed potatoes as for serving. Cool. Pack in airtight containers for freezing. Alternatively, spoon individual servings of mashed potatoes onto baking sheets and tray-freeze until firm. Once firm, transfer into suitable containers and freeze. Remove individual mounds as needed. Store in the freezer for 1 month. Thaw mashed potatoes in microwave safe container.Twice Baked or Stuffed Potatoes:
To stuff baked potatoes, remove the cooked potato from the skin, mash it and add seasonings or desired fillings. Return potato to the skin, piling lightly. Wrap each potato with plastic individually, then place in freezer bags. Store in the freezer for 1 month. Potatoes can be removed from wrappers and baked for 30 minutes at 425ºF. After 15 to 20 minutes in the oven, top each potato with grated cheese if desired.Sweet Potatoes:
Wash and peel. Cook until almost tender. Cool. Leave whole, or cut into halves, slices or mash. Dip halves or slices into a solution of 1/2 cup of lemon juice or 1 tablespoon of ascorbic acid to 1 quart water for 5 seconds. This will keep flesh from darkening. To keep mashed sweet potatoes from darkening during freezing, add 2 tablespoons of orange or lemon juice to each quart of mashed potatoes. Pack in suitable container and freeze.Suitable Freezer Packaging:
Freezer containers should be moisture and vapor resistant and should not be prone to cracking or breaking at low temperatures. Containers should provide protection against absorbing flavors or odors and should be easy to label. Suitable packaging for freezing potatoes includes freezer-grade plastic bags, rigid plastic containers or glass containers and heavy-duty aluminum foil or foil containers.Refrigerating Potatoes:
Leftover cooked potatoes can be stored in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers for 2 to 3 days. Fresh, whole potatoes should be placed in a well ventilated container and stored in a cool, dark, moist place for 2 to 4 months. Do not refrigerate potatoes or keep them in plastic bags. Cure home grown potatoes for several days after harvesting in a warm, dark place before storage. This toughens up their skins and extends their storage time.Feedback About This Post:
RE: Freezing Potatoes
I accidentally put a 5lb bag of potatoes in the freezer about a week ago and just realized it today are they still good?
Post By kat (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
Well, I just thawed out a Minestrone soup I froze over a week ago. Dumb me put potatoes in the soup vs pasta. I'm now picking out all the nasty tasting potatoes from my soup. I won't freeze anything with potatoes in it again!
Post By Deb (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
This is all FANTASTIC info! I always seem to lose my potatoes before I can use them up and saw that they are now selling frozen potatoes. I thought I'd investigate to freeze my own rather than pay extra for store bought.
Note to those microwaving in plastic/plastic wrap - REALLY bad idea. Cancer-causing chemicals are released from the plastic into your food. Thanks much for your help!
Post By Louisa (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
This is all FANTASTIC info! I always seem to lose my potatoes before I can use them up and saw that they are now selling frozen potatoes. I thought I'd investigate to freeze my own rather than pay extra for store bought.
Note to those microwaving in plastic/plastic wrap - REALLY bad idea. Cancer-causing chemicals are released from the plastic into your food. Thanks much for your help!
Post By Louisa (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
This information was helpful. Last night I boiled a lot of new potatoes for a potato salad; however, the all-man *cabin/camping* trip my husband was planning has been canceled, twice now. I was wondering if I could freeze some of the potatoes because I can't use them all right now for a household of two. I think I will dice up half of the cooked potatoes for future cottage fries and freeze them. Thanks to all contributors!
Post By gemstone (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
What happen to Potato White? We used it for years and froze our potatoes and they turned out great. We never cooked them before freezing them. Is there a substute I cas use instead of potato white?""
Post By Mary Tutt (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
I keep mashed sweet potatos in the freezer. I just mash with butter as always. I have a set of the hamburger
stack containers and I fill them with the sweet potatoes. As to how long they will keep they never lasted long enough to find out.
Post By SunshineRose (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
How long does freezing potatoes last?
Post By linda (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
Uncooked red, round new potatoes seem to freeze very well. My raw whole russets thawed with moisture release (brown liquid), but cooked, or perhaps semi-cooked froze fine. (Read somewhere else that freezing tea also releases liquid. Ruptured cell walls?) On sale near $2/10 lb hard to beat. Well if you have space in your freezer.
Post By Guest (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
I have frozen potatoes for years in every way you can think of. Mostly to save time,because we have a farm and we always seem to be running.And we have a big family so I buy a lot at one time.But my family likes them frozen or made fresh.As long as they are not completely cooked ,before freezing they taste great.
Thanx ! BEE
Post By BEE (Guest Post)
RE: Freezing Potatoes
I just had mashed potatoes that I had frozen from Thanksgiving and they were fine. I put them in the oven with a meatloaf and heated them at the same time. Also Microwaved them after freezing and results were the same. I did thaw them completely in the fridge before heating.
good luck, Ceil
Post by CEIL
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