Potatoes 101: How to Store Them and Choose the Right Type for Every Recipe

Potatoes are one of those ingredients that almost everyone keeps around. They’re cheap, filling, and you can do so much with them — mash them, roast them, turn them into crispy fries. They’re dependable and easy to cook, but if you’ve ever ended up with sprouting, mushy potatoes, you know there’s a bit of a trick to storing them the right way.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the basics of how to pick the best potatoes at the store, how to keep them fresh at home, and which types to use depending on what you’re cooking. It’s simple stuff, but it makes a real difference.

Choosing Potatoes at the Store

When you're shopping, look for potatoes that feel firm and have smooth skin. If they feel soft, wrinkly, or have big green spots, skip them. Green areas mean they’ve been exposed to too much light and can taste bitter. Little sprouts are okay if you're in a pinch, but it's usually a sign they're getting old.

Buying them loose (instead of in a sealed bag) makes it easier to check each one. That way, you can leave the bad ones behind.

Recipes You Might Like

If you're looking for ideas on how to use your potatoes, here are a few from the blog that my family loves:

A skillet with diced potatoes, ground meat, and vegetables. A sliced baguette, parsley, and peppercorns are nearby on a table.

The Best Way to Store Potatoes

A few storage tips can help your potatoes last much longer and taste better.

Keep them in a cool, dark place. A pantry, basement, or cupboard away from heat works well.
Try to find a spot that stays between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use a paper bag, mesh bag, or a basket — anything that lets them breathe. Plastic traps moisture and speeds up spoilage.
Don’t store them near onions. The gases they release make each other spoil faster.
Never put raw potatoes in the fridge. Cold temperatures mess with the starches and change the texture and flavor.

If you’ve already peeled or cut your potatoes, cover them with cold water and store them in the fridge. Just be sure to use them within a day.

How Long Do Potatoes Keep?

It depends on how and where you store them.

In a dark pantry or cupboard: about 2 to 4 weeks
In a cooler spot like a cellar or basement: up to 2 or 3 months
Peeled and stored in water in the fridge: use within 24 hours

Which Potatoes Are Best for Which Recipes?

Not all potatoes are the same. Some are starchy and fluffy, others are waxy and hold their shape. Choosing the right one makes a big difference in how your dish turns out.

Russet potatoes are starchy and light. They’re perfect for baked potatoes, French fries, and mashed potatoes.
Yukon Gold have a buttery texture and a bit more moisture. Great for mashing, roasting, or in a potato salad.
Red potatoes are waxy and hold their shape after cooking. Use them in soups, stews, or salads.
Fingerlings are small and nutty. Roast them or pan-fry them — they crisp up nicely.
New potatoes are just young potatoes. They’re small, tender, and taste great boiled or tossed into a salad.
Purple potatoes have an earthy flavor and deep color. Roast them or use them cold in salads when you want to add a bit of visual flair.

Tips: If you want mashed potatoes that are both fluffy and creamy, mix Russet and Yukon Gold together. It’s a little trick I use often.

Can You Plant a Potato That’s Sprouting?

Yes, and it’s actually kind of fun. If you have a potato that’s started sprouting, you can plant it in a big pot or in the garden. Cover it with soil and keep it moist. As the plant grows, keep adding more soil around it. When the leaves start to yellow and die back, you’ll know it’s time to dig up your potatoes.

Why I Always Keep Potatoes on Hand

For me, potatoes are one of those ingredients that save dinner more times than I can count. Whether I’m roasting them with garlic and olive oil or adding them to a soup on a cold night, they always work. They’re simple and familiar, but they make a meal feel hearty and complete.

A Quick Recap

Store your potatoes in a dark, cool, well-ventilated place — not in the fridge
Keep them away from onions
Use the right potato for the right dish
Sprouted potatoes? Plant them and grow your own

Once you get the hang of choosing and storing potatoes the right way, they’ll last longer, taste better, and you’ll waste a lot less. And honestly, knowing which type to use for each dish is one of those little cooking tricks that makes a big difference.