How to Preserve Potatoes with Canning and Freezing Methods

Learn how to preserve potatoes with my blog. Discover the best methods for canning and freezing potatoes, including pressure canning techniques and how to cut, parboil, and vacuum seal French fries. This guide is perfect for large families and sustainable living.

Happy late August from Tiny Farm Big Family! The potato harvest has now been cured, and it is time to preserve those potatoes we will use for soups and French fries before the new baby arrives. Feeding a large family is a chore for a homemaker. It takes 4-5 pounds of fries and 2 quarts of potatoes to feed the crew per meal.

My favorite ways of preserving potatoes are making fries, cutting, and canning. In this guide, I’ll share our tried-and-true methods for preserving potatoes to ensure a steady supply throughout the year. Let’s dive into how to plan your preserving method, how many potatoes to can, how many fries to cut and freeze, how to pressure can potatoes, and how to cut, parboil, and vacuum seal French fries.

How to Plan Your Preserving Method:

Preserving potatoes efficiently starts with a well-thought-out plan. As a homemaker for a large family, I must determine how we’ll use the potatoes throughout the year. Here are some steps to help you plan your preserving method:

Assess Your Needs: Estimate the potatoes your family consumes. For us, it’s 5 pounds of fries and 2 quarts of potatoes per meal. Calculate this over a week or month to get a clear picture.
Choose Preservation Methods: Decide between canning, freezing, or combining both. Canning is great for soups and stews while freezing works well for fries and other quick-prep dishes.
Organize Your Space: Ensure you have enough storage space in your pantry and freezer. Clear out old items and make room for the new stock.
Gather Supplies: Stock up on canning jars, lids, a pressure canner, freezer bags, vacuum seal bags, and a reliable vacuum sealer.
Schedule the Work: Plan your preservation days. It’s a big task, so breaking it into manageable chunks over a few days or weekends can make it more enjoyable and less overwhelming.

How Many Potatoes to Preserve with Pressure Canner?

Canning potatoes is an excellent way to preserve them for soups, stews, and other hearty dishes. To determine how many potatoes to can, consider the following:

Family Size: Our large family uses 2 quarts of canned potatoes per meal. If you use them weekly, you’ll need about 8 quarts monthly.
Frequency of Use: Estimate how often you’ll use canned potatoes. For us, it’s at least twice a week, so we aim to can around 64 quarts (or more) to last us until the next harvest.
Batch Size: Each canning session should aim to process a manageable amount of potatoes. We usually can 20-30 pounds of potatoes per session, yielding about 10-15 quarts.
Storage Considerations: Ensure you have a cool, dark place to store your canned potatoes. Properly canned potatoes can last up to a year or more if stored correctly.

How Many Fries to Cut and Freeze to Preserve Potatoes:

French fries are a family favorite, and freezing them ensures a quick and easy side dish is ready. Here’s how to determine how many fries to cut and freeze:

Calculate Consumption: We use 5 pounds of fries per meal. If we have fries twice a month, that’s 10 pounds per month.
Estimate Monthly Needs: Multiply your weekly consumption by the number of weeks in a month. For us, it’s 5 pounds x 2 weeks = 10 lbs per month.
Plan for the Year: To ensure we have enough fries for the year, we aim to freeze around 240 pounds. This might sound like a lot, but for a large family, it ensures we never run out.
Space Requirements: Make sure you have enough freezer space. We invested in a large chest freezer to accommodate our frozen fries and other preserved foods.
French Fry Cutter: You need to invest in a good french fry cutter that makes this task quick and easy.

How to Pressure Can Potatoes For Preserving:

Pressure-canning potatoes is a safe and effective way to preserve them. Follow these steps to ensure success:

Prepare the Potatoes: Wash, peel, and cut the potatoes into uniform pieces (cubes or slices).
Blanch the Potatoes: Boil the cut potatoes for 2-3 minutes to blanch them, then immediately cool them in ice water.
Pack the Jars: Pack the blanched potatoes into sterilized canning jars, leaving about 1 inch of headspace. Add boiling water to cover the potatoes, maintaining the headspace.
Add Salt (Optional): If desired, add ½ teaspoon of canning salt per pint or one teaspoon per quart.
Remove Air Bubbles: Use a non-metallic utensil to remove any air bubbles, adjusting the headspace if necessary.
Seal the Jars: Wipe the jar rims, place the lids on, and secure with rings.
Process in Pressure Canner: Follow your pressure canner’s instructions for processing times and pressure levels. Generally, it’s 35 minutes for pints and 40 minutes for quarts at 10 PSI (adjust for altitude if necessary).
Cool and Store: Allow the jars to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check the seals, label the jars, and store them in a cool, dark place.

How to Cut, Parboil, and Vacuum Seal French Fries:

Freezing French fries involves a few steps, but it’s well worth the effort for delicious, homemade fries. Here’s how we do it:

Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them into uniform strips, about ¼ to ½ inch thick. The BEST french fry cutter.
Parboil the Fries: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cut potatoes and boil for 2-3 minutes. This helps maintain their texture during freezing.
Cool and Dry: Immediately transfer the parboiled fries to an ice-water bath to stop cooking. Drain and pat them dry thoroughly.
Flash Freeze: Spread the fries in a single layer on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for a few hours or until they’re solid.
Vacuum Seal: Once frozen, transfer the fries to vacuum-seal bags. Use a vacuum sealer to remove the air and seal the bags. Label and date the bags.
Store in Freezer: Place the sealed bags in the freezer. Adequately sealed and stored fries can last up to a year.

Coming Soon: My Favorite Potato Chip and Tater Tot Recipes!

Stay tuned for more potato goodness! I’ll be sharing my favorite potato chip and tater tot recipes soon. These homemade snacks are perfect for satisfying cravings and making the most of your potato harvest.

A Fully Stocked Pantry and Freeze with Potatoes.

Preserving potatoes for a large family is a rewarding endeavor that ensures we have nutritious and delicious meals year-round. By planning your preserving methods, determining how many potatoes to can and freeze, and mastering the techniques of pressure canning and vacuum sealing, you’ll be well-prepared to feed your crew. Our tried-and-true methods have served us well, and I’m excited to share them with you.

As a homemaker, seeing the shelves and freezer stocked with home-preserved food is incredibly satisfying. It not only saves money but also provides peace of mind knowing we have wholesome, homegrown food to nourish our family. Stay tuned for more delicious potato recipes coming your way!