Have you ever had a lot of potatoes and wondered how to freeze them? Well look no further because I have just the tips for you to do it successfully at home. This is especially wonderful when potatoes are in season in your area ... nothing better than fresh from the farm or market goodness! It does take a little work, but so worth the effort and costs just pennies to do! I received 11 large baking potatoes free (again it pays to know your farmer) and made mine into diced potatoes and French fries.
*Note - Baking potatoes (such as Russet), including Yukon Gold, freeze better than red potatoes. I kept all the cut potatoes in a large bowl filled with ice-water until ready to cook. Place water in large stock pot adding 1-2 tsp. sea salt and bring to a full, rolling boil before adding the potatoes to blanch before freezing. When ready to use after freezing, cook them frozen, do not thaw first. The Potatoes will brown if you defrost them.
Freezing Diced Potatoes:Diced potatoes can be frozen for use in a variety of recipes. Here's how:
- Peel two pounds of potatoes. (or whatever amount you want to work with.) Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
- Simmer the diced potatoes in salted water until just tender.
- Spray a sheet pan with non-stick cooking oil and spread cooked potatoes in a single layer on the pan.
- Place the pan of diced potatoes in the freezer until frozen solidly.
- Transfer the frozen potato cubes to freezer bags or containers to use as needed.
- Shred or grate 2 pounds of potatoes (or any amount you want to work with).
- Place grated/shredded potatoes in a bowl of iced water until all potatoes are shredded.
- Drain the ice water when you are ready to prepare the potatoes for freezing.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil.
- Place the shredded potatoes into the boiling water just until they begin to be tender.
- Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray.
- Drain the potatoes thoroughly and place on the sheet pan in mounds or patties.
- Leave on the sheet pan until solidly frozen, then store in freezer bags or containers.
- Peel and cut the potatoes
you want to freeze into "french fry lengths."
- Boil cut potatoes in salted water until partially cooked.
- Drain and place in a single layer on a sprayed sheet pan.
- Freeze until solid; transfer to freezer bags or containers and put in freezer.
Yield: 11 large baking potatoes yielded one gallon bag of French fries and two quart bags of diced potatoes.
Enjoy,
Mary
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This is a great idea. Having the potatoes ready to eat in the freezer makes them more likely to get used instead of turning into seed potatoes for next year.
ReplyDeleteshoot, I tried this but my potatoes turned black when I unfroze them, what am I doing wrong?
ReplyDeleteDon't thaw them
DeleteWhat about mashing them?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mash them.
DeleteHow long can they be kept in the freezer for?
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DeleteDid you really just say that? ��
Delete2-3 hours to flash freeze. Then bag up for long term freezer storage.
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ReplyDeleteBeen thinking of doing just that, always buy a bag but they go all soft before I can use them all. Wanted to know what to do to freeze and store correctly this verified my thoughts, thanks! How long will the last frozen for? is my main concern
ReplyDeleteMine have lasted many months. Don't thaw them, bake or fry them from frozen.
DeleteDo you have to use salted water? I have a daughter who cannot have salt in her diet.
ReplyDeleteNo Rachel you don't have to use salt in the water, you can omit it.
DeleteDon’t you have to cool them before spreading them out to freeze?? I thought after blanching them you needed
ReplyDeleteto cool them.
No, you don't need to.
DeleteDo you have to boil the diced potatoes before freezing, and what happens if you don't? Thank you in advance!
ReplyDeleteYou do need to blanch them before freezing.
DeleteThanks for this. I have always wanted to know how I can keep my bag of potatoes for long🤗
ReplyDeleteMy BFF has honed my homemade skills to include pot pies; I usually dice potatoes about 1/4" or so, blanch them in a big bowl in the microwave, and put them in with the mixture - is that TOO small to freeze, and SHOULD I, or should I NOT still blanch them?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
You do need to blanch them and yes you can freeze them BUT as always don't thaw - cook from frozen.
DeleteWhat are your thoughts on making potato salad from potatoes that have been previously steamed and frozen?
ReplyDeleteI've never tried it but don't see why not. You would need to put them in boiling water from frozen and cook just a few minutes until tender then proceed with your recipe.
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