Salty Recipe Collections & Inspirations

Store Potatoes in the Dark to Prevent Greening

A wire basket filled with potatoes sitting in a cool, dark pantry away from light and heat sources.

Daily Kitchen Note

Improperly stored potatoes can quickly sprout, shrivel, or turn green and bitter. Keeping them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated spot ensures they stay fresh and safe to eat for up to a month.

A wire basket filled with potatoes sitting in a cool, dark pantry away from light and heat sources.

How to Store potatoes

  1. Select clean, firm potatoes without bruises or sprouts.
  2. Place the potatoes in a well-ventilated container, such as a wire basket or mesh bag.
  3. Store the container in a cool, dark place, ideally between 45 and 50 °F, away from direct light and heat.

Why it works

Exposure to light causes potatoes to turn green and produce a bitter, toxic substance. Storing them in a cool, dark environment with good ventilation prevents this reaction and delays sprouting, while keeping them out of the refrigerator prevents their starches from turning into sugars.

Source

Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Using & Storing Potatoes

Back to blog

Leave a comment