Can You Freeze Boiled Potatoes?

How to Freeze Boiled Potatoes

If you know before you heat them that you plan to freeze some of your boiled potatoes, we recommend removing them from the hob after around nine or ten minutes while they’re still a little firm.

This will ensure their texture is preserved during the freezing process. Below are the steps to follow once your potatoes are par or fully boiled. 

1. Allow to Cool
   Remove your boiled potatoes from the water and transfer those that you plan to freeze to a separate bowl or container. Allow them to cool to room temperature. You can speed up this process by placing them in cold water if you wish.
2. Dry Thoroughly
   Once your boiled potatoes have cooled, you need to dry them thoroughly with a paper towel before freezing them.  
3. Freeze Initially
   Line a tray with greaseproof paper and place your boiled potatoes on top. Make sure they’re not touching one another and transfer the tray to the freezer for around two hours. 
4. Remove From Freezer and Bag Up
   Once your boiled potatoes are frozen solid, remove the tray from the freezer and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. This will ensure they don’t stick together when you place the bag in the freezer. 
5. Label and Freeze
   Write the date that you boiled the potatoes, as well as their use-by date on the front of the bag. Remember, you can freeze boiled potatoes for around three months. 

3 Tips for Freezing Boiled Potatoes

Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing boiled potatoes to have the best results:

• Parboil Over Boil – Parboiled potatoes freeze much better than fully boiled potatoes. If you leave them on the hob for too long, they are likely to soften when they thaw, which can make it difficult to reheat them. It’s best to boil your potatoes for no more than ten minutes if you plan to freeze them. 
• Use Waxy Potatoes
  Some potato varieties freeze better than others. The best for freezing are those that can be described as ‘waxy’ and include red, white, and yellow potatoes, as they tend to have a lower moisture content than others.
• Great for Extending Life – Boiling and then freezing potatoes is actually a great way to extend their shelf life. Although potatoes can be stored for several weeks in a cool dark place, if you notice a growth on a potato’s exterior, it’s a sign that it’s going bad. Parboiling and then freezing them is a great way to preserve them for future use. 

How Long Can You Freeze Boiled Potatoes?

You can freeze boiled potatoes for around three months. 

Boiled potatoes will be fine in the fridge for a few days after you’ve prepared them, so you don’t need to freeze them if you plan to use them within a couple of days. 

You Can Freeze Boiled Potatoes for up to 3 Months

How Do You Defrost Boiled Potatoes?

The best way to defrost boiled potatoes is to remove them from the freezer and place them in the fridge. You can either take out the whole bag or remove the individual potatoes you think you need.

It’s best to leave them in the fridge overnight while they thaw. When you reheat boiled potatoes, remember that they don’t need to be cooked for very long. Add them to the pan for a few minutes or reheat them in the microwave.

If you overcook them, they will go soggy.

Can You Refreeze Boiled Potatoes?

We wouldn’t recommend refreezing boiled potatoes. The reason for this is that the additional moisture that forms on the potatoes during freezing can cause them to go soggy.

Due to the fact that your potatoes can be removed from the freezer one by one, there should be no need to freeze them more than once, providing you plan your meals accordingly. 

Do Boiled Potatoes Freeze Well?

Parboiled potatoes freeze really well, but if you overcook them, they are likely to become soggy or soft. It’s also important to remember not to cook them for too long during the reheating process, as you will ruin their texture.

If you follow the steps outlined above, however, you should encounter no issues at all when it comes to freezing boiled potatoes. 

Related FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about freezing boiled potatoes or potatoes in general, then these may help:

Can You Freeze Boiled Potatoes with the Skin On?

You can freeze boiled potatoes with and without the skin on. It comes down to personal preference. There is, however, a risk that the skins become soggy if they’re not stored airtight in the freezer so be careful.

Can You Parboil then Freeze Potatoes for Roasting?

This is actually a great way to roast potatoes as it saves you time in the week if you still want to enjoy roast potatoes. Parboil, freeze and then when you’re ready you can tip the frozen potatoes into a hot pan in the oven. Easy!