How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

  • Kitchen Tips
  • Food Storage and Kitchen Organization
  • Freezer

Here’s everything you need to know about freezing whole, cubed, mashed, French-fried, and shredded potatoes.

By

Corey Williams

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (1)

Corey Williams

Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. She has a decade of journalism experience.

Allrecipes' editorial guidelines

Updated on June 1, 2023

Don't toss your excess potatoes! It's much more practical and economical to freeze them for later use. It's easier than you think to perfectly freeze potatoes, but you do need to follow a few simple instructions. Here's what you need to know about freezing potatoes whether they're whole, cubed, mashed, French-fried, or shredded:

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (2)

Can You Freeze Potatoes?

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (3)

Yes! You absolutely can freeze potatoes, and you should if you have an excess of spuds. But there's one important thing to remember: You should really only freeze cooked or partially cooked potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a lot of water. This water freezes and, when thawed, makes the potatoes mushy and grainy.

How Long Do Potatoes Last?

It depends on how they're stored. Uncooked potatoes generally last up to two weeks at room temperature (never store raw potatoes in the fridge — this will ruin the texture) and cooked potatoes will last about four days in the refrigerator. Frozen cooked potatoes, however, will stay good for about a year.

Read more: How to Store Potatoes

How to Freeze Potatoes

The best way to freeze potatoes depends on what kind of potato you're working with. Here's how to freeze whole, mashed, French-fried, and shredded potatoes:

Whole or Cubed

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (4)

It's not hard to freeze whole or cubed potatoes, but you do need to follow a series of simple steps.

  1. Peel. This step isn't required, but it's helpful because blanching works best without the skin. If you think you may mash your potatoes after they're thawed, now would be a good time to cube them.
  2. Blanch. Fill a pot with water and season it with salt. Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling, drop the potatoes into the water. Blanching time depends on how large your potatoes or potato pieces are — it can take anywhere from three minutes for baby potatoes or small cubes to 10 minutes for whole russets. Remove the potatoes from the boiling water and immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
  3. Dry. Transfer the potatoes to a colander to drain after they have completely cooled. After they've drained, place them in a single layer on a kitchen towel. Pat with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
  4. Flash freeze. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a lined cookie sheet. Freeze at least four hours or up to overnight.
  5. Freeze. When the potatoes are frozen, you can transfer them to freezer-safe storage bags labeled with the date.

Read more: How to Freeze and Reheat Mashed Potatoes

French Fries or Potato Wedges

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (5)

If your French fries are uncooked, you'll need to blanch them before freezing (find instructions in the section above). If they're cooked, however, the process is a bit simpler.

  1. First freeze. Arrange cooked (and cooled!) fries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze at least four hours or up to overnight.
  2. Second freeze. When the fries are frozen, you can transfer them to freezer-safe storage bags labeled with the date.

Hash Browns

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (6)

Here's another situation that'll depend on the state of your spuds — are they cooked or uncooked? If they're uncooked, shred the potatoes with the large side of a cheese grater before blanching (since the potato is shredded, you'll only need to blanch them for a minute or two). Cooked hash browns are frozen just like French fries.

  1. First freeze. Scoop cooked (and cooled!) hash browns on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze at least four hours or up to overnight.
  2. Second freeze. When the hash browns are frozen, you can transfer them to freezer-safe storage bags labeled with the date.

Mashed

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (7)

Mashed potatoes tend to freeze better than other types of potatoes, as the fat from butter and cream helps them keep their texture. If you're planning to freeze the potatoes you're about to mash, now is not the time to skimp on the good stuff.

  1. Cool. Make sure the mashed potatoes are totally cool before starting the freezing process.
  2. Scoop. Scoop one cup portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. First freeze. Freeze at least four hours or up to overnight.
  4. Second freeze. When the potatoes are frozen, you can transfer them to freezer-safe storage bags labeled with the date.

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How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

FAQs

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide? ›

For best results, freeze as soon as harvested. Wash and scrub the potatoes leaving the skins on, if desired. Blanch 4 to 6 minutes if smaller than 1 to 1½ inches in diameter and 8 to 10 minutes if larger. The potato needs to be heated through completely to stop enzymatic reactions.

How to make frozen potatoes? ›

How to Freeze Potatoes
  1. Peel. This step isn't required, but it's helpful because blanching works best without the skin. ...
  2. Blanch. Fill a pot with water and season it with salt. ...
  3. Dry. Transfer the potatoes to a colander to drain after they have completely cooled. ...
  4. Flash freeze. ...
  5. Freeze.
Jun 1, 2023

Do I need to blanch potatoes before freezing? ›

For best results, freeze as soon as harvested. Wash and scrub the potatoes leaving the skins on, if desired. Blanch 4 to 6 minutes if smaller than 1 to 1½ inches in diameter and 8 to 10 minutes if larger. The potato needs to be heated through completely to stop enzymatic reactions.

Can you just cut and freeze potatoes? ›

To prepare and freeze your potatoes cut them into whatever shape you plan to use them in. As you cut them into their desired shape, place the potatoes directly into cold water with a tablespoon of lemon juice or distilled vinegar.

How do you vacuum seal and freeze potatoes? ›

Freezing: If you plan to store the potatoes for an extended period, consider freezing them. After blanching, cool and dry the potatoes, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to vacuum-sealed bags and return them to the freezer.

How do you freeze potatoes step by step? ›

Drain the potatoes in a colander, shaking to remove excess water. Freeze the potatoes on a sheet pan. Place the potatoes on a large baking sheet, spreading them so none touch, and slide into your freezer for 6 to 12 hours, or until each piece is frozen solid. Store the potatoes.

How long do you blanch potatoes? ›

♥ Place the potatoes into the boiling water

Set 3-5 minutes in timer for blanch time, as soon as you start to place the potatoes into the boiling water.

What happens if you don't blanch before freezing? ›

Unfortunately, if vegetables are not blanched correctly, the vegetables can become too soft and essential nutrients, like vitamin C, can be lost. The high temperature of boiling water or steam weakens the cell walls and the vegetables lose their crunchy texture.

Is it better to freeze potatoes raw or cooked? ›

Potatoes don't freeze well raw, so they will need to be cooked or partially cooked beforehand. The great thing is that you can choose a variety of different ways to prepare and freeze them. Try these methods with white, sweet or even purple potatoes. Always use potatoes that are fresh.

What should not be done when blanching potatoes? ›

You should avoid overcooking your potatoes during the blanching process, as this can cause them to burn easily when you cook them for a recipe. Lower the heat until the water is barely simmering. You will usually have to keep the stove at medium or low heat. Check your potatoes periodically.

Can you peel potatoes and put them in the freezer? ›

Whether or not you peel potatoes for freezing is up to you, but as with all ingredients, it's important only to freeze potatoes that are still at the peak of freshness and not those that should really go into the compost bin.

How long do raw cut potatoes last in the freezer? ›

However, If you do store raw potatoes in the freezer, they may last up to 10 to 12 months (more on storing potatoes later). To avoid a sweeter flavor and discoloration, blanch potatoes before refrigerating or freezing.

How long do vacuum sealed potatoes last in the freezer? ›

On average, a vacuum-sealed product under freezing conditions can last up to 5-6 months or even 1-2 years, depending on your freezer capacity. On the other hand, refrigerated vacuum-sealed products can last up to 1 to 2 weeks.

What is the best way to store bagged potatoes? ›

Keep them in a cool, dark and dry place: Potatoes should not be exposed to direct light, as this can lead to them turning green and producing a toxic substance known as solanine. To avoid this, store potatoes in a dark place with a temperature range of 43-50°F or cover them with a cloth or paper bag.

Do you need to defrost frozen potatoes before cooking? ›

The best thing about cooking with frozen potatoes is that you don't generally need to defrost them before using: spontaneous home-cooked chips, quick-as-a-flash mash and easy-peasy baked potatoes are all within your reach. Need some inspiration for your frozen spuds?

Can I still cook frozen potatoes? ›

A: It's okay to keep the potatoes frozen or you can let them thaw until they are still chilled. Place them on an oiled, flat-top grill or skillet that's heated to 350 degrees F.

Do you thaw frozen potatoes before frying? ›

When frying French fries, do not let them thaw before using. I recommend that frozen French fries be kept completely frozen before using. This guarantees that the surface of the potato is sealed during the frying process, resulting in a crispy, high quality fry.

How do you defrost frozen potatoes quickly? ›

If you're using frozen potatoes you'll need to defrost them. I put them in a large bowl and pop them in the microwave on the defrost setting - it took about 10 minutes to get them nice and defrosted.

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