Updated 29 July 2026 · Written by Daniel Wright
Store potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated spot such as a paper bag in a pantry, where they last for weeks to months. Keep them out of the fridge, because cold converts their starch to sugar and makes them sweet and dark when cooked. Store them away from onions to prevent early sprouting.
Potatoes: cool, dark, ventilated spot, not the fridge, away from onions and light. They keep for weeks to months.
How to Store Potatoes
- Keep them in a cool, dark, airy place like a pantry, cellar or paper bag.
- Avoid the fridge, where cold turns potato starch to sugar, causing sweetness and dark cooking.
- Keep them out of direct light, which turns potatoes green and bitter.
- Store away from onions, which speed up sprouting.
Why Not the Fridge
Below about 40 F, a potato’s starch converts to sugar, giving an unpleasantly sweet taste and darker color when fried or roasted. A cool pantry around 45 to 55 F is ideal. Discard any potatoes that are heavily sprouted, shriveled or green. Keep them separate from stored onions, and use a breathable bag rather than a sealed container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn’t potatoes go in the fridge?
The cold converts their starch into sugar, making them taste sweet and turn dark when cooked. Store them in a cool pantry instead.
Are green potatoes safe to eat?
Green areas contain solanine, which is bitter and can be toxic in quantity. Cut away small green patches, but discard heavily green potatoes.
