Due to their high water content, potatoes can turn mushy if frozen raw
Freezing potatoes can be tricky for first timers, as potatoes in soups or other liquids can turn mushy when defrosted, much like potatoes if you decide to freeze them raw. This is because potatoes contain a great deal of water, and commercial producers will partially dehydrate the potatoes before freezing to prevent this problem. If you have a stew or soup with potatoes that you wish to freeze, you're better off removing the potatoes and freezing the remainder of the ingredients.
Raw Potatoes
If you want to freeze raw potatoes, new potatoes work best. Choose potatoes without any bruises, or cut bruised areas off with a knife. Use firm, smooth potatoes and peel and rinse before freezing. For best results, blanch them in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and allow to cool down before putting in freezer bags in the freezer.
Cooked Potatoes
Potatoes that have been fried, roasted, stuffed and boiled can be frozen. Allow fried potatoes to dry before putting in freezer bags. Wrap roasted and stuffed potatoes in plastic wrap before putting in freezer bags. Cooked potatoes can be stored for one to two months in the freezer.
Mashed Potatoes
Put mashed potato into an airtight container before freezing. This will keep for one month. Alternatively, if you want to freeze individual portions to make defrosting easier, either spoon servings into various airtight containers or use a baking sheets and tray-freeze each portion until you're ready to transfer them to containers.
Defrosting
Cooked potatoes, whether fried or baked previously can be defrosted in the oven at a medium heat. If you've wrapped potatoes in plastic wrap before freezing remember to remove this first. Frozen mashed potatoes can be defrosted in the microwave.
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