Basic methods for freezing potatoes Lay the potato on a tray without letting them touch each other. Pop the tray into the freezer and, when frozen solid (about six to 12 hours), transfer to a resealable airtight freezer bag, remove any excess air, label and pop back into the freezer.
You can freeze potatoes for future use. If you store raw potatoes in a cool, dry place, they can last for weeks, but freezing can preserve potatoes for up to three months. The key is to partially cook the potatoes first, a process known as blanching. If you freeze raw potatoes, they will be mushy and watery.
The key to freezing potatoes and sweet potatoes—whether for fries, hash browns or even simple roasted wedges—is to partially cook them first. Because they contain so much water, raw potatoes don't freeze well and can turn mushy, watery or even grainy.
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.
Yes, you can freeze boiled potatoes. Boiled potatoes can be frozen for around 3 months. It's best if you parboil your potatoes before freezing them as this will protect their texture, but they should be okay to freeze if they're fully boiled, too.
Basic methods for freezing potatoes
Lay the potato on a tray without letting them touch each other. Pop the tray into the freezer and, when frozen solid (about six to 12 hours), transfer to a resealable airtight freezer bag, remove any excess air, label and pop back into the freezer.
Can you freeze raw potatoes? No, uncooked potatoes do not freeze well. Potatoes need to be pre-cooked before freezing or the texture and flavor will degrade, and the cold temperature will turn the potato black when thawed. Blanching potatoes stops enzyme actions, which can cause loss of flavor, color and texture.
This process, which is called oxidation, happens because potatoes are a naturally starchy vegetable. And when exposed to oxygen, starches turn gray, brown, or even black. An oxidized potato is completely safe to eat. The process doesn't affect the flavor or texture of the vegetable.
You can freeze just about any vegetable except celery, watercress, endive, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber and radishes. These foods have a high water content and become soggy and water-logged when thawed.
Freeze potatoes in slices
Instructions: Slice the potatoes and place them on a sheet pan or in a freezer safe baking dish. Place this in the freezer, and wait for a few hours. When the potatoes are slightly frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer safe container for permanent freezer storage.
The short answer is no. Once frozen the cell structure changes as well as the taste. They will turn black when cooked.
POTATO FACTS
Freezing (if done correctly) simply places the food and its nutrients in “suspended animation,” so nutrient loss is minimal. similar nutrients as their fresh counterparts, but at slightly lower levels. vitamin C and 738 milligrams of potassium.
When you're ready to serve them, simply fry, boil, or microwave them until fork tender — without any need to thaw them. You'll have mashed potatoes, french fries, or crispy roasted potatoes on the table in minutes.
Uncooked potatoes should also never be stored in the freezer. When exposed to freezing temperatures, the water inside potatoes expands and forms crystals that break down the cell wall structures. This makes them mushy and unusable when defrosted (13).
Can You Refreeze Raw Potatoes? Generally, it's safe to refreeze potatoes. The biggest issue you face is that they can quite easily go mushy, particularly if you've cooked them or if they're part of another dish (like curry). Potatoes are best enjoyed when they're fresh or directly from frozen.
While shelled eggs and canned foods are the only things that aren't safe to freeze, there are a handful of other foods that don't freeze well. These include: Fruits and vegetables with high water content - (celery, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes, melon). They'll be limp and soggy when thawed.
Freezing cheese causes ice crystals to develop, disrupting the cheese's structure. This may affect the texture and make it drier, more crumbly, and mealy. It can also halt the ripening process of cheeses with beneficial, active mold populations.
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.
Place frozen or thawed potatoes in a covered oven-safe dish and heat in a 350º F oven for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Rinse them in a combo of water and a little bit of white vinegar. Blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before freezing (source). <- This takes more time, but seems to be the best way to prevent your potatoes from turning black.
The un-blanched fries can turn out dark (especially if the potatoes were stored too cold before they got to you). I know a few places that successfully do fresh cut fries without blanching, like In N Out, but they are the exception rather than the rule and have a whole bank of fryers to work with.
The key is to store potatoes in a cool dry place, like in the cabinet of a pantry, in a paper bag or cardboard box. It's important to keep potatoes at the cool, ideal temperature (but not, surprisingly, the fridge) to prevent them from turning green, getting soft spots, or pre-maturely sprouting.
If you need to prepare whole potatoes from frozen, you may need to thaw it prior to preparing it. You can do this by baking it in the oven for about 30 minutes, or by using your microwave's defrost cycle. Once thawed, you should be able to prepare and cook your potato as normal.