You bought a bag of russet potatoes two weeks ago and most are still sitting in the pantry. One has sprouted. Another has a greenish patch on the skin. A third feels a little soft. And somewhere in the fridge is a container of leftover mashed potatoes from the weekend. What is still good?
Do potatoes go bad?
The short answer: Yes. Whole potatoes last 3 to 5 weeks in a cool dark pantry, or up to 2 to 3 months in a cold cellar or basement. On a warm kitchen counter they last only 1 to 2 weeks. Cut raw potatoes need to be used within 24 hours. Cooked potatoes last 3 to 4 days refrigerated per the USDA FoodKeeper app. Green skin and long sprouts are the two signs that a potato has produced solanine, a natural toxin that cooking does not destroy.
For storage guidance on other produce and pantry staples, see our Food Storage Guide. If you cook with onions and garlic alongside potatoes, see Do Onions Go Bad? and Does Garlic Go Bad?
Key Takeaways
Whole potatoes in a cool dark pantry (45 to 55°F): 3 to 5 weeks
Whole potatoes in a cold cellar or basement: 2 to 3 months
Whole potatoes on a warm counter: 1 to 2 weeks only
Cut raw potatoes: submerge in cold water, refrigerate, use within 24 hours
Cooked potatoes: 3 to 4 days airtight in the refrigerator (USDA FoodKeeper)
Freezer: raw potatoes do not freeze well; cooked potatoes freeze for up to 12 months
Small firm sprouts: remove deeply and use if the potato is firm and not green
Green skin or flesh: solanine toxin. Small patch: cut away at least 1/4 inch. Large green area: discard.
Foil-wrapped baked potatoes: remove foil before refrigerating. Foil creates botulism conditions.
Do not wash potatoes before storing. Moisture accelerates sprouting and decay.
How Long Do Potatoes Last?
Type
Room Temp Counter (65 to 70°F)
Cool Pantry (50 to 60°F)
Cool Cellar (45 to 55°F)
Freezer
Whole raw potato
1 to 2 weeks
3 to 5 weeks
2 to 3 months
Not recommended (raw)
Cut raw potato
No
No
24 hours in cold water (refrigerator)
Not recommended (raw)
Cooked potato (any preparation)
2 hours max
No
3 to 4 days airtight
10 to 12 months
Temperature determines shelf life more than location. A cool cellar, root cellar, or basement held at 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 13 degrees Celsius) is the ideal environment and extends shelf life significantly. A typical kitchen pantry or cupboard runs warmer at 50 to 60 degrees, which is still far better than a warm counter. The refrigerator is not recommended for whole raw potatoes for quality reasons covered in the companion post Do Potatoes Need to Be Refrigerated? Cooked potato figures per the USDA FoodKeeper app.
The Best Place to Store Potatoes
Potatoes are a cool-climate root crop that evolved underground. They need three things: darkness, cool temperatures, and airflow. A pantry, cupboard, or basement that stays between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal location. A wire basket, paper bag, or cardboard box provides the airflow they need. Plastic bags trap
