Potatoes
The answer
Raw potatoes last 1–2 months in a cool, dark pantry. Don’t refrigerate raw potatoes.
Caution Cold storage turns potato starch to sugar and can darken them when cooked. Keep away from onions and sunlight.
How long it keeps
Fridge (40°F) Not recommended (raw) safe window
Freezer (0°F) Do not freeze raw best quality
Pantry 1–2 months OK stored right
Discard Discard potatoes that are soft, wrinkled, leaking, or smell rotten. Cut away small sprouts and green spots; discard heavily green potatoes.
The answer
Cooked potatoes last 3–4 days in the fridge and 10–12 months in the freezer (mashed or roasted).
How long it keeps
Fridge (40°F) 3–4 days safe window
Freezer (0°F) 10–12 months best quality
Room temp 2 hours max then discard
Discard Discard cooked potatoes left out more than 2 hours — including foil-wrapped baked potatoes.
By state & packaging
State Fridge Freezer
Raw, pantry — —
Cooked / mashed 3–4 days 10–12 months
Baked, in foil 3–4 days (unwrap first) 10–12 months
Signs it has gone bad
✕ Soft, wrinkled, or leaking
✕ Large green areas
✕ Rotten or musty smell
FAQ
Are green potatoes poisonous?
Green areas indicate solanine, which can cause illness in quantity. Cut away small green spots generously; discard potatoes that are green through much of the flesh or taste bitter.
Is a baked potato left in foil overnight safe?
No. Foil creates a low-oxygen environment where botulism bacteria can grow at room temperature. Discard it.