You can freeze almost anything, especially if you have the right freezer products to help. But because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Of course, we get it. We’ve found ourselves with a ton of leftover potato salad after a summer barbecue. It never feels good to waste food, which brings us to the question at hand: Can you freeze potato salad?
How Long Does Potato Salad Last in the Fridge?
According to the USDA, leftovers like potato salad should last in the refrigerator for three to four days. Store-bought potato salad will be stamped with a best-by date. You’ll want to keep the “two-hour rule” in mind, though. If your potato salad was held at room temperature for two hours, throw it away instead of returning it to the refrigerator.
It’s important to think about the ingredients here, too. Did you make a vinegary German-style potato salad without mayonnaise? That will last slightly longer than a potato salad made with mayo or hard-boiled eggs.
Can You Freeze Potato Salad?
Yes: You can freeze potato salad. Keep in mind that it won’t have the same texture when it thaws, though. A number of ingredients can be affected. Mayonnaise is an emulsion, so it doesn’t hold in the freezer. The individual ingredients will separate and make the thawed potato salad look and taste a little weird. The same can be said for potato salad made with sour cream or other dairy-based ingredients, which also don’t freeze well. While you’re better off freezing an oil- or mustard-based potato salad, the salad simply won’t be the same when it thaws. The potatoes will be soggy and can turn gray in the freezer.
Instead of freezing it, we recommend thinking of creative ways to use up leftover potato salad. Try stuffing it inside a tortilla for a fun spin on a wrap, or mashing the whole mixture to make potato croquettes.
You can also roast potato salad: Put it in a colander, wash off the excess mayonnaise and pop it in a 425°F oven for about 30 minutes, turning the potatoes halfway through. (Trust us: You’ve gotta try it.)
How to Freeze Potato Salad
If you must freeze potato salad, here’s how to do it. Before getting started, check out our ultimate guide for freezing food. In general, frozen vegetables last about eight months in the freezer. Since potato salad has added ingredients, you can probably count on about three to six months until the quality really starts to decline.
Freezing homemade potato salad
To freeze homemade potato salad, place the salad in a freezer-safe bag. Press the salad into a single layer and squeeze out as much air as possible. Freeze the potato salad flat, as this will help it thaw out more quickly and keep the potatoes from getting too soggy. We recommend this for potato salad recipes made with mustard or oil.
Freezing store-bought potato salad
To freeze store-bought potato salad, remove it from the container it came in. Freezing it in a square container will keep the middle of the potato salad frozen as the exterior thaws, leading to deteriorated texture. Place it in a freezer-safe bag and follow the instructions for freezing homemade potato salad.
Freezing potato salad with mayo
We don’t recommend freezing potato salad made with mayonnaise or dairy-based ingredients like sour cream. These ingredients don’t freeze well, leading to a weird texture when the potato salad thaws. If you do freeze potato salad with mayonnaise, we recommend serving it warm.
How to Thaw Potato Salad
The best way to thaw frozen potato salad is in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re running short on time, you can place the freezer bag in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the salad is thawed. Keep in mind that the potato salad can become waterlogged if there is a hole in the bag, so be sure your bag is airtight.
Mama’s Potato Salad
This old-fashioned potato salad recipe doesn't have many ingredients, so it isn't as colorful as many that you find nowadays. But Mama made it the way her mother did, and that's the way I still make it today. Try it and see if it isn't one of the best potato salads you have ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York
Southern Potato Salad
This Southern potato salad is perfect for a church supper or potluck. The pickles add extra sweetness. —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama
Sicilian Potato Salad
Fresh basil is the star of this mayo-free, Italian-inspired take on potato salad. It's one of our favorite light potato salad recipes. —Sue Falk, Warren, Michigan
Cleo's Potato Salad
My mom, Cleo Lightfoot, loved cooking all kinds of recipes, but her favorite meal was one she made when hosting backyard barbecues in the summer. She would make her famous ribs, baked beans and this delicious potato salad. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Dill Pickle Potato Salad
This creamy dill pickle potato salad makes a flavorful and attractive addition to a Fourth of July picnic or church supper.—Nancy Holland, Morgan Hill, California
Honey Mustard Red Potato Salad
We love red potato salad recipes. And this summer cookout star is crunchy-delicious with a brilliant zesty dressing. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Chipotle Sweet Potato Salad
I love the velvety taste and texture of sweet potatoes. A friend served sweet potatoes cooked with peppers and they tasted delicious together. I took those flavors and developed them into this creamy, smoky potato salad. —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio
Tex-Mex Potato Salad
I created this Tex-Mex potato salad for one of my cooking classes, and it was a hit. It's perfect for a cookout or potluck. The secret ingredient is pickled jalapenos—they add so much interest and flavor! Add a can of black beans for more protein. —Dianna Ackerley, Cibolo, Texas
Grilled Firecracker Potato Salad
I can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia
Potato Salad with Kalamata-Hazelnut Vinaigrette
Potato salad tossed with vinaigrette has a lighter taste than traditional mayo versions. I add velvety avocado and hazelnuts for cool texture and crunch. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Marinated Sweet Potato Salad
My dad has been growing sweet potatoes for more than two decades. My brother and I have been partners in the operation for the last several years. This recipe, from our mom and our wives, is a terrific way to serve our favorite vegetable. —Tim Jack Edmondson, Vardaman, Mississippi
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
I revamped my mother's potato salad to taste more like baked potatoes with all the fixin's, which I love. This loaded baked potato salad is now the most requested dish at family gatherings. Even my mother asked for the recipe! —Jackie Deckard, Solsberry, Indiana
Herb-Vinaigrette Potato Salad
This is a great way to celebrate early produce from the garden. To add some more crunch, sprinkle with croutons. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Grandma’s Classic Potato Salad
When I asked my grandmother how old this classic potato salad recipe was, she told me that her mom used to make it when she was a little girl. It has definitely stood the test of time. —Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Grilled Three-Potato Salad
Everyone in our extended family loves to cook, so I put together all of our favorite recipes in a cookbook to be handed down from generation to generation. This recipe comes from that cookbook. It's a delicious twist on traditional potato salad. —Suzette Jury, Keene, California
Dilly Potato & Egg Salad
Everyone has a favorite potato salad, and this is mine. As a young bride, I was eager to learn how to cook and make things that my husband would love. I combined my mom's and his mom's recipes, and this potato and egg salad the delicious result. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Spicy Cajun Potato Salad
Here in Louisiana we have a lot of get-togethers, and if you want your dish to be chosen over all of the rest, it has to have a kick! This does the trick. —Amanda West, Sibley, Louisiana
Red and Sweet Potato Salad
Two types of potatoes help this creamy side dish stand out at warm weather get-togethers. People love the spicy mustard dressing. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
Green Goddess Vegan Potato Salad
Don't be fooled by the green color—this vegan potato salad is absolutely delicious! It's perfect for potlucks and for those with dietary restrictions. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California
Pressure-Cooker Potato Salad
I used to rarely make potato salad because it can be somewhat time-consuming, but because of this easy pressure-cooker potato salad recipe, I'll be making it more often! We prefer this salad with unpeeled red potatoes but you can use any potato—with or without the skin. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
Tossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Mexican Roasted Potato Salad
My husband is the No. 1 fan of this south-of-the-border potato salad. The leftovers make an awesome late-night snack, straight from the fridge. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Authentic German Potato Salad
This authentic German potato salad recipe came from Speck’s Restaurant, which was a famous eating establishment in St. Louis from the 1920s through the ‘50s. I ate lunch there almost every day and always ordered the potato salad. When the owner learned I was getting married, he gave me the recipe as a wedding gift! —Violette Klevorn, Washington, Missouri
Fried Potato Salad
This recipe began with leftover fried potatoes I had on hand. We liked it so much that now I fry potatoes just to make this unique potato salad. Sometimes I add grated sharp cheddar for a cheesy twist. —Leann Stallard, Dryden, Virginia
Tropical Sweet Potato Salad
I had an abundance of sweet potatoes, so I put them to work and came up with this sweet and spicy salad. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Grilled Southwestern Potato Salad
This salad is perfect with a grilled steak for a Tex-Mex meal, and most of it can even be prepared out in the backyard. Poblanos and cayenne make it pop. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Tzatziki Potato Salad
My son has an egg allergy, so this potato salad is perfect for him. For extra color, add radishes, apple and garlic dill pickles. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario
Grandma's Potato Salad
Our Fourth of July feast wouldn't be complete without this chilled old-fashioned potato salad. It's my grandma's treasured recipe. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
White Ale Potato Salad
Take this one outside! My grown-up recipe uses beer instead of mayo, so you don't need to worry about keeping it cool. It's a really popular recipe on my blog, girllikestoeat.com. —Jenny MacBeth, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Ranch Potato Salad
I make this creamy potato salad with cheese, bacon and ranch salad dressing. My sister asked for the recipe as soon as she tried it. —Lynn Breunig, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Sweet Potato Waldorf Salad
I came up with this recipe when I promised to bring a potato salad to a picnic but had no regular potatoes on hand. The sweet potatoes were there, so I revised my regular potato salad recipe and a new dish was born! Adding the apples was an inspired touch, and the dish was a hit.—Lois Jeffery, Chesterland, Ohio
Red Potato and Egg Salad
This flavorful red potato salad with egg is the perfect side for summer cookouts. The red potatoes really dress it up. —Margaret Blomquist, Newfield, New York
Roasted Sweet Potato & Prosciutto Salad
I still think there's no better combo than sweet potatoes with pork, or prosciutto in this case. I'm a retired physician and am glad that sweet potatoes are being given their due as nutritional powerhouses. —Helen Conwell, Portland, Oregon
Potato-Bean Salad with Herb Dressing
My veggie garden inspired this creamy combo of beans, potatoes and fresh herbs. I toss them with a ranch-style dressing sparked up with Creole mustard. —Chris Cummer, Bayonne, New JerseyThe post Can You Freeze Potato Salad? appeared first on Taste of Home.
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