How to Store Root Vegetables to Make Them Last Longer
Root vegetables are some of the longest-lasting produce you can buy, but only if stored correctly. The same drawer in the same fridge is not the right answer for all of them.
Potatoes: cool, dark and never the fridge
Refrigerating potatoes converts their starch to sugar, changing flavor and causing them to brown more when cooked. Store potatoes in a cool (10 to 15 degrees Celsius), dark place with some air circulation, such as a paper bag or ventilated bin in a cupboard or cellar. Avoid light, which causes greening and the production of solanine, a compound that can cause digestive upset. Remove any sprouting potatoes promptly.
Carrots: fridge in a sealed bag
Carrots keep best at around 0 to 4 degrees Celsius in a sealed bag or airtight container with a small piece of slightly damp paper towel to maintain humidity. Remove the green tops before storing, as they draw moisture from the root and speed decay. Stored this way, carrots can last four to six weeks.
Onions and garlic: dry, dark and ventilated
- Store onions in a mesh bag or open basket in a cool, dry cupboard with good airflow.
- Keep them away from potatoes: they release moisture and gases that cause potatoes to sprout faster.
- Garlic keeps best at room temperature in a dry, ventilated spot. Avoid the fridge, which can cause it to sprout.
- Cut onions should be wrapped tightly and refrigerated, then used within two to three days.
Parsnips and turnips
Parsnips and turnips keep well in the fridge in a plastic bag for two to three weeks. Like carrots, remove any leafy tops before storage. Turnips can also be stored in a cool, dark cellar if one is available.
Beets and radishes
Beets keep for two to four weeks in the fridge in a bag. Remove the greens and store them separately (they last only a couple of days but are edible). Radishes keep for one to two weeks in the fridge in a container with a little water.
Recibud tracks what is in your pantry and fridge so you know what needs to be used before it turns. For more on avoiding waste, see the guide to how long food lasts in the fridge.
Common questions
- Should potatoes be stored in the fridge?
- No. Refrigerating potatoes converts starch to sugar, which changes their flavor and can cause discoloration when cooking. Store them in a cool, dark, ventilated place such as a cupboard or pantry. The ideal temperature is around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
- Why do my onions keep going soft?
- Onions go soft when stored in humid or poorly ventilated conditions, or when stored too close to other produce. Store them in a mesh bag or open basket in a dry cupboard with good airflow. Never store them in the fridge or near potatoes.
- How long do carrots last in the fridge?
- Carrots stored in a sealed bag or airtight container with a small damp paper towel can last four to six weeks in the fridge. Removing the leafy tops before storage prevents them from drawing moisture from the root.