Can raw sweet potatoes be frozen? - The Ultimate Guide

You may be inspired by a sweet potato recipe and buy too many. And while sweet potatoes do last a long time, you may not want to use them repeatedly in a few weeks. How should you preserve sweet potatoes?

Can raw sweet potatoes be frozen? You can freeze raw sweet potatoes. However, it is recommended to blanch raw sweet potatoes before freezing. Blanching helps minimize texture and flavor changes that sweet potatoes can undergo as a result of the freezing and thawing processes.

In this article, we’ll tell you the best way to freeze raw sweet potatoes and what steps you shouldn’t skip to get the best results.

You will also learn about the shelf life of frozen raw sweet potatoes and what are the signs that they have gone bad.

Do raw sweet potatoes freeze well?

Freezing raw potatoes doesn’t work well no matter which variety you use. There is too much water in raw potatoes for them to freeze well. 

The high water content of potatoes causes them to become watery, mushy and grainy when you thaw them.

That is why it is recommended to at least blanch the potatoes before freezing them. Peeling, cutting, and transferring potatoes directly to the freezer can look appealing and save time.

However, spending a few more minutes to properly prepare your potatoes will give much better results and extend the life of your food.

Can raw sweet potatoes be frozen?

As we have already explained, freezing raw potatoes is not the best idea. And sweet potatoes are no exception.

They will suffer changes in texture and flavor, especially if you do not use a proper freezing technique and skip the blanching step. 

Blanching sweet potatoes before freezing is important for several reasons. First, because blanching reduces the water content of the sweet potatoes, it prevents them from becoming too watery and mushy. 

Second, blanching helps maintain the color of the sweet potatoes. Third, it minimizes flavor changes in sweet potatoes after thawing.

And finally, blanching is said to prevent vegetables from losing their nutritional content. 

But blanching raw sweet potatoes isn’t the only step to ensure sweet potatoes are fine after thawing. If you have decided to freeze raw sweet potatoes, be sure to freeze the ones that are still fresh and in good condition.

How to store sweet potatoes

So if storing raw sweet potatoes in the freezer isn’t the best idea, what should you do with cut raw sweet potatoes if you don’t need them right now?

As we have already said, freezing sweet potatoes works well if we blanch them first. If you don’t have time to blanch the potatoes, store them submerged in cold water. This way, raw cut sweet potatoes will keep well for 3-4 days. 

How to freeze raw sweet potatoes

If you don’t want to cook the sweet potatoes before freezing them, you can try freezing them raw. It’s certainly a better option than letting this versatile vegetable go to waste.

Here are step-by-step instructions for freezing sweet potatoes without cooking them.

1. Start by peeling the sweet potatoes. She cuts the big eyes out of the potato.
2. Cut the potatoes into sticks or chunks. Potato chunks should preferably be 1 inch thick. You can also cut the potatoes into chunks.
3. Blanch the sweet potatoes by placing them in a pot of boiling water for 1-2 minutes. 
4. After a few minutes, remove the potatoes from the boiling water and transfer them to a bowl filled with ice water. This will instantly stop the cooking process and prevent the potatoes from getting too soft. Also, blanching potatoes properly minimizes the chances that the sweet potatoes will be mushy when thawed.
5. Take the potatoes out of the cold water and let them drain. Meanwhile, the potatoes will cool completely.
6. Once the potatoes are drained, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put the tray in the freezer until the potatoes are frozen enough that they don’t stick together.
7. After 2-3 hours, take the sweet potato slices out of the freezer, cut them into portions, and transfer them to airtight freezer bags . It is important to use heavy-duty freezer bags as they will prevent the potatoes from getting freezer burn and absorbing odors from other items in the freezer.
8. Squeeze excess air out of freezer bags. 
9. Label the bags with the date and use the potatoes as soon as possible. 

Can sweet potatoes be frozen without blanching them?

Although blanching sweet potatoes only takes a few minutes, some people don’t have the time to do it.

Although we don’t recommend freezing raw sweet potatoes without blanching, you can. Be aware, however, that once defrosted, there is a good chance that the sweet potatoes will become too starchy, mushy, and stringy.

If you freeze raw sweet potatoes without blanching, be sure to use them as soon as possible. 

How long do raw sweet potatoes last in the freezer?

Sweet potatoes have a long shelf life compared to many other vegetables. If you store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, they will keep well for about 1 month. 

Some people prefer to store raw sweet potatoes in the fridge, where they can last up to 3 months.

However, keep in mind that storing raw potatoes in the fridge causes them to harden in the center and not taste as good when cooked.

The freezer does extend the shelf life of sweet potatoes. Cooked sweet potatoes last in the freezer for about 12 months . This is the shelf life for frozen cooked sweet potatoes, whether pureed, sliced, or whole.

Raw sweet potatoes, on the other hand, do not last as long in the freezer. We recommend that you use frozen raw sweet potatoes within 3 months.

Potatoes also keep well past that time. However, the longer you keep them in the freezer, the more the flavor and texture will change.

Other methods to freeze sweet potatoes

As you already know, freezing raw sweet potatoes is not the most recommended way to keep this vegetable cold.

If you have time, it’s good to cook the sweet potatoes before putting them in the freezer . Depending on how you plan to use the sweet potatoes later, you can boil, bake, or puree them ahead of time.

Keeping boiled, baked, or mashed sweet potatoes in the freezer is a good way to speed up the cooking process for many dishes and make preparing meals and snacks easier.

For example, frozen boiled sweet potatoes are perfect for stews and soups. Frozen baked sweet potatoes, on the other hand, need about a half hour in the oven to revive and complete your meal.

How to thaw frozen sweet potatoes

You can use the sweet potatoes after defrosting them in the fridge. Leave the sweet potatoes in the fridge overnight to thaw completely. 

If you’re in a hurry, you can use the cold water method to defrost the sweet potatoes.

To do this, simply submerge the bag with frozen sweet potatoes in a bowl filled with cold water. Sweet potatoes will soften and come back to life more quickly than in the fridge.

The microwave is also an option if you need to defrost the potatoes in a few minutes. However, you can easily dry out the potatoes. So be careful when using this thawing method.

Never thaw frozen sweet potatoes at room temperature or in hot or lukewarm water. Doing so increases the risk of bacterial contamination in food.

But the great thing about frozen blanched potatoes is that they can go right on the hot plate. The key is to give the potatoes enough time to cook.

You can use frozen potatoes in casseroles, stews, and soups. You can also roast or roast the sweet potatoes without defrosting them.

To roast blanched frozen sweet potatoes, place them on a cookie sheet without thawing. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake until sweet potatoes are cooked through and crisp.

Signs that frozen potatoes have gone bad

It is natural for potatoes to darken in the freezer. This is why many people add lemon juice to cooked potatoes before freezing them, so that they retain their natural color.

But while a slight darkening of the potatoes is fine, severe discoloration is a sign that the potatoes have gone bad and should be thrown away . Dried spots on frozen potatoes don’t make them good for consumption either.

You should also throw out the thawed potatoes if you notice an unpleasant odor or any trace of mold. 

If you haven’t wrapped your sweet potatoes well, there’s a good chance they’ll get freezer burn. Freezer burnt sweet potatoes are safe to eat.

However, freezer burn causes major changes in texture and flavor, and you may find it best to discard the sweet potatoes.