It happens quickly that you have cooked too many potatoes and do not know what to do with them. Of course, they are much too good to throw away! But can you actually freeze potatoes? We clarify the question and reveal the best way to store potatoes.
Can you freeze raw potatoes?
Raw potatoes are not suitable for freezing. The tubers contain a lot of starch, which would turn into sugar at the subzero temperatures in the freezer. This process has no negative impact on our health, but the taste is very unfamiliar and not very convincing.
In expanding, freezing destroys the cell structure of potatoes, which means that after thawing, the tubers are mushy and look glassy - so they are neither very tasty nor very appetizing to look at.
Freeze cooked potatoes: Here's how
Cooked potatoes, on the other hand, can be frozen, even though their consistency is not as good as that of fresh potatoes. Proceed as follows:
First, boil the potatoes and let them cool down. Then peel the potatoes - but of course, you can also freeze boiled potatoes that have already been peeled.
It is best to cut the tubers into cubes or slices. If they are smaller, you can also freeze them whole.
Finally, put the potatoes in freezer bags, seal them airtight, and put them in the freezer. You can use them later to make a delicious potato soup, for example.
Tip: Prepared potato dishes such as mashed potatoes or potato gratin are not suitable for freezing.
What is the best way to store potatoes?
The great advantage of potatoes is that you can store them for a very long time. In a cool and dark place, the tubers will keep up to 6 months. The optimal storage temperature is between two and seven degrees. If potatoes are stored too cool, they become inedible, as described above.