Should sweet potatoes be stored in the fridge?

To store fresh, whole sweet potatoes, start by curing the potatoes for 1 to 2 weeks by keeping them in a room with a temperature between 75 to 80 degrees F. Then, toss out any potatoes that appear to be bruised, rotting, or moldy. Next, wrap them individually in newspaper and pack them in a box or basket with an apple to prevent the sweet potatoes from budding. Finally, place the box or basket in a cool, dark location such as a basement or a cupboard away from any heat sources. To learn more, including how to store your sweet potatoes in the freezer, read on.

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Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins. They’re high in beta carotene, vitamins E and C, iron, potassium and vitamin B6! You’ll want to make sure that none of that yummy goodness goes to waste.

But what happens if you’ve prepared too much sweet potato?

How do you store cut sweet potatoes? To store cut sweet potatoes, submerge them in cold water and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To freeze cut sweet potatoes, first blanch the potatoes and then transfer them to an airtight container. Frozen cut sweet potatoes can last for up to 6 months in the freezer.

How to store raw cut sweet potatoes

Usually, the advice is not to store sweet potatoes in the fridge. This is because cold temperatures can cause the starch in the potato to convert to sugar, and this hardens the potato. However, this advice changes once you cut the sweet potato. 

An uncooked cut sweet potato should be kept submerged in cold water in the fridge. In an airtight container the potatoes will last for 3-4 days, but for the best quality eat them within 24 hours.

Should sweet potatoes be stored in the fridge?
Should sweet potatoes be stored in the fridge?
Uncooked, cut sweet potato should be submerged in cold water and refrigerated

The cold water will stop the sweet potatoes from oxidizing and turning brown. While brown sweet potatoes are fine to eat, they don’t look all that appetizing.

The water must be cold. The fridge will do a good enough job of keeping the water cold, but some people like to put a few ice cubes in with the water to keep it as cold as possible.

A secondary benefit of soaking the sweet potatoes in water is that all the surface starch will get washed off. If you’re planning to fry or roast the potatoes, this will ensure they’re extra crispy.

If you’re going to cook the potatoes in any sort of oil or fat, make sure you dry them thoroughly beforehand. Putting wet potatoes in oil can cause a lot of spitting and even cause the oil to explode. Definitely something you want to avoid. 

Related: How To Save Half A Banana

Can you freeze raw cut sweet potatoes?

It’s best to avoid freezing uncooked sweet potatoes unless you blanch them first. 

Sweet potatoes have very high water content. If you freeze them raw, the water will form ice crystals, which can affect both the flavor and texture of the potato.

When you cook frozen raw potatoes that haven’t been blanched they almost always turn to mush. Unblanched sweet potatoes also turn black in the freezer due to oxidation.

Should sweet potatoes be stored in the fridge?
Should sweet potatoes be stored in the fridge?

To blanch sweet potatoes follow these steps:

  • Peel and cut the sweet potatoes
  • Put the cut sweet potato into boiling water for 2-3 minutes depending on the size of the pieces
  • Transfer the sweet potatoes straight into ice-cold water and leave them there for a further 2-3 minutes. This stops the cooking process

Once you’ve blanched the potatoes you can portion them out and put them in freezer-safe bags. Portioning the potatoes out is very important because they'll stick together once they’re frozen.

It might appear difficult to determine whether or not a sweet potatoes go bad. But if you use your senses, it's pretty straight forward. Does your raw sweet potato smell strange? Is it wet, oozing, squishy, discolored, or sprouting? If your answer is "Yes!" to any of the above, toss it!

To help you avoid losing your sweet potatoes to spoilage, we've created the following guidelines, plus some tips on how to store them properly for best keeping.

When Raw

Stored on the counter, raw sweet potatoes can generally last up to two weeks. If you have access to a cool, dark, dry area (similar to a root cellar), sweet potatoes can last about a month. Maximize their shelf life by storing at a cool temperature. Allow for air circulation by storing in a loosely covered bag or open-weave basket. As long as your raw sweet potato is firm and not sprouting, it's still fresh.

When Cooked

Cooked sweet potatoes generally keep for a few hours at room temperature, and three to five days if refrigerated in an airtight container.

In the Refrigerator

Whole, raw sweet potatoes should not be refrigerated, as it can affect their taste and make them hard in the center. Do refrigerate after they've been cut, though. Covered in cold water, they last about a day.

In the Freezer

Raw sweet potatoes do not freeze well, but cooked sweet potatoes freeze beautifully. Roast, boil, or microwave them, mash the flesh, and then mix with a squeeze of lemon to prevent discoloration. Store in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Frozen cooked sweet potatoes will keep well for up to six months.

What is the best way to store sweet potatoes?

How To Store Sweetpotatoes.
Avoid storing sweetpotatoes in the refrigerator, which will produce a hard center and unpleasant taste..
Instead, store your sweetpotatoes in a cool, dry, well ventilated container. For best results, store them in a basement or root cellar away from strong heat sources..

How long do sweet potatoes last unrefrigerated?

Stored on the counter, raw sweet potatoes can generally last up to two weeks. If you have access to a cool, dark, dry area (similar to a root cellar), sweet potatoes can last about a month.

How do you prolong the shelf life of a sweet potato?

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.

How do you store uncooked sweet potatoes in the refrigerator?

Instructions.
An uncooked cut sweet potato should be kept submerged in cold water in the fridge..
In an airtight container the potatoes will last for 3-4 days, but for the best quality eat them within 24 hours..
The water must be cold..