How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Last and How to Store Them | Glad® (2024)

FAQs

How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Last and How to Store Them | Glad®? ›

How long sweet potatoes last in normal room temperature depends on many factors, and it's best to keep them in a pantry to last 3–5 weeks. You can also store sweet potatoes in the fridge for 2–3 months, or freeze them to last even longer.

The best way to store your sweet potatoes is in a cool, dry, and dark area, like your pantry or the back corner on your kitchen countertop. Keep them in a bowl or basket so that they're self-contained, and always thoroughly wash and scrub their skin before you cook them.

It's best to keep sweet potatoes in a cool, dry area that gets good ventilation, according to the U.S. Sweet Potato Council. You really shouldn't store sweet potatoes in the fridge if you plan to eat them within a month or so, as refrigeration can bring on an unpleasant taste and a hard center.

Can You Freeze Sweet Potatoes? The simple answer is yes! Sweet potatoes can be frozen raw, baked, boiled, or even mashed. However, keep in mind that raw frozen sweet potatoes are likely to get freezer burn, so try to cook them in some way first.

Once cut, sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two to four days. Can I freeze raw sweet potatoes? We don't recommend it! Freezing uncooked potatoes will change their taste and texture, causing them to become mealy.

Cooked sweet potatoes can last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. To make them last longer — store sweet potatoes in an airtight plastic bag or container.

Traditional methods recommend storing sweet potatoes in some sand, but you can also use a box or perforated plastic bag in the right temperatures and conditions. Curing is crucial to storing sweet potatoes for winter successfully. Harvest the potatoes in a dry period if possible.

If your sweet potato is soft in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato should be discarded. Another sign that sweet potatoes have taken a turn for the worse is if they start growing stalky purplish sprouts.

A basket, bowl, or paper bag is better than a plastic bag. A paper bag, basket, or large bowl are ideal for storing a pile of potatoes since they allow for plenty of air circulation. If you carried potatoes home from the store in a plastic bag, it's best to remove them for longer-term storage.

What to do with too many sweet potatoes? ›

And never wash the sweet potatoes with water before curing or storing, as that will shorten their shelf-life. You can gently brush off dirt, but refrain from washing the sweet potatoes with water before curing or storing, as that will shorten their shelf-life.

Can you freeze raw sweet potatoes? It's not recommended to freeze raw sweet potato fries or cubes. They won't hold up well in the freezer and they won't cook correctly in recipes. Blanching or cooking sweet potatoes fully is the way to go.

Cool Storage is Optimal for Sweet Potatoes

As a general rule, you'll want to store your root veggies in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Maybe this is why the basem*nt is so great. They'll need some sort of air circulation. Nothing fancy.

Whether they're mashed, baked, or boiled, sweet potatoes are fine for dogs to eat as long as they're cooked, peeled, and plain. Again, avoid any seasonings or extra ingredients that may be included in “human food” recipes, such as butter, sugar, or salt.

These Veggies Like It Cool and Dry

They will last longest at 50 to 60°F and 60 to 70 percent humidity. (Again, storage times are for ideal conditions.) A vinyl-coated wire laundry cart tucked into a dark basem*nt room provides perfect storage for sweet potatoes.

Cured sweet potatoes kept in a root cellar or basem*nt can last up to six months. If you don't have a root cellar, sweet potatoes will last up to two weeks on the counter or up to a year in the freezer.

Sweet potatoes can maintain excellent quality for up to a year in proper storage conditions. The ideal storage conditions for sweet potato are the same as for winter squash; moderately warm (55-60F) at 60-75% relative humidity.