If I Store My Cooked Potatoes in Water in the Refrigerator, Will They Become Mushy? (2024)

FAQs

If I Store My Cooked Potatoes in Water in the Refrigerator, Will They Become Mushy? ›

Won't the potatoes become mushy? A: Once cooked (whole or cut) potatoes can be stored in water (with or without vinegar) without becoming discolored or mushy.

A: You can store peeled potatoes in water in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Peeled potatoes left out by themselves at room temperature, on a refrigerator shelf or wrapped in foil or plastic wrap will still get dark overnight, so submerge them in a bowl of water, cover and refrigerate.

Cooked or boiled potatoes can be safely stored in the fridge in an airtight container and will keep for around 3-4 days. Cool down your cooked potatoes first before transferring them to the fridge. This is a great way to prepare salads or side dishes before a big event.

As a general rule though, you just need to add a tablespoon or two of vinegar to every couple quarts of boiling water. It's that simple: Add your vinegar, salt your water, then transfer your washed, dried, and cut or peeled potatoes to the pot.

Cooked potatoes and other cooked vegetables can be safely kept in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates fruits and vegetables, if more information is needed on produce, you can call the FDA toll-free at (888) 723-3366 or go to their website at FDA (www.fda.gov).

Once cooked (whole or cut) potatoes can be stored in water (with or without vinegar) without becoming discolored or mushy. But, water storage isn't necessary. Refrigerate the boiled potatoes in a sealed container and use within a couple of days.

How long can peeled and cut potatoes sit in water before cooking, before they begin taking on too much water? A: We usually recommend no more than 24 hours. You can keep the potatoes from absorbing the water by making sure the water is not salted, and is chilled (you can even add ice to the water).

How To Store a Leftover Baked Potato. To ensure the quality of your leftover baked potato, store it properly. Let your potato cool completely (unwrap it if baked in foil). Place potatoes in a metal or glass pan, cover them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate them.

Potatoes are best kept around 45 to 50 degrees, which means they shouldn't be stored in the fridge or freezer. The best place to store them for maximum shelf life is a cool basem*nt or garage—as long as it's dry.

Why are my cooked potatoes mushy? ›

The starch in potatoes is held together by pectin. When that pectin breaks down too quickly in the boiling process, mushy potatoes result. Adding vinegar to the water fixes that problem because, as López-Alt explains, “pectin breaks down much more slowly in acidic environments.”

The Vinegar Trick

In his recipe, López-Alt shares his secret for perfectly cooked potatoes every time: Adding vinegar to the water (specifically, 1 tablespoon of vinegar per 1 quart of water) prevents overcooking. This one tip has transformed potato salad for Kristina Razon, the Senior Food Editor at Kitchn.

While you can wait for the water to boil before adding in the potatoes, they will cook more evenly if you add them to the pot while the water is cold. Potatoes added to boiling water can turn out mushy on the outside and tough on the inside.

Refrigerating boiled potatoes can contribute to the formation of potential carcinogens. When cold-stored potatoes are reheated at high temperatures, the sugars and amino acids in the potatoes may react to form acrylamide, a substance linked to cancer. To minimise this risk, consider alternative storage methods.

It's important to drain the potatoes immediately after cooking. Don't leave them to sit in the liquid while you finish preparing the rest of the meal. Potatoes retain their heat quite well, so putting them back in the pot after draining and putting a lid on them will keep them warm until you're ready to serve.

Surprisingly, even the fridge isn't great. Cold temperatures prompt the spuds to turn their starches into sugars (something called cold-induced sweetening), making them taste, well, sweeter, and will likely make them turn brown when cooked. Storing them there will fly for a little while, but not long term.

If you're using the potatoes within a few hours, you can leave them submerged in water on the counter. If you need more time, potatoes can be stored in water in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Before you're ready to cook, check to see if there is starch at the bottom of your container.

Keep potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place.

As a rule of thumb, the best place to store potatoes is in a cool, dry area of your kitchen, with good ventilation and out of direct sunlight. A kitchen cupboard or closet, even the basem*nt or garage, can all the good choices.

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

We recommend washing the potato under a faucet, using a vegetable brush to clean any dirt accumulated in the eyes. Then placing on a rack or colander with holes to allow some air circulation before placing in refrigeration till you are ready to bake the potato.