Potatoes are a staple food in many cultures around the world. They are versatile and delicious and readily available in many varieties. These different varieties account for the various shapes, colors, and sizes you see when shopping for potatoes. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how much potatoes weigh. The weight of a potato can vary depending on its size, variety, and moisture content. In this article, we’ll explore the weight of potatoes and how it can differ based on these factors. We will also offer suggestions on how many potatoes to cook per person.
Weight of Different Potato Varieties
Potatoes come in several varieties, each with its own unique characteristics. Some common varieties include russet, red, white, and yellow potatoes. The weight of these potatoes can vary depending on the variety and size.
Russet Potatoes:
Russet potatoes are large, oval-shaped potatoes with rough, brown skin. They are commonly used for baking, frying, and mashing. A medium russet potato weighs about 6 to 8 ounces (170 to 227 grams), while a large russet potato can weigh up to 1 pound (454 grams) or more.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an average large russet potato weighs 13 ounces, an average medium potato weighs 7 ounces, an average small potato weighs 6 ounces, and the average baby or new potato weighs 1-3 ounces.
Red Potatoes:
Red potatoes have smooth, red skin and are smaller and rounder than russet potatoes. They are often used for roasting, boiling, and salads. A medium red potato weighs about 5 to 6 ounces (142 to 170 grams), while a large red potato can weigh up to 10 ounces (283 grams) or more.
White Potatoes:
White potatoes are medium-sized potatoes with thin, light brown skin. They are versatile and are used for boiling, baking, and frying. A medium white potato weighs about 5 to 6 ounces (142 to 170 grams), while a large white potato can weigh up to 8 ounces (227 grams) or more.
Yellow Potatoes:
Yellow potatoes, also known as Yukon Golds, are medium-sized potatoes with thin, light brown skin and yellow flesh. They are known for their buttery flavor and creamy texture. A medium yellow potato weighs about 6 to 7 ounces (170 to 198 grams), while a large yellow potato can weigh up to 10 ounces (283 grams) or more.
Factors Affecting Potato Weight
Several factors can affect a potato’s weight, including its size, moisture content, and storage method. Larger potatoes naturally weigh more than smaller potatoes, while potatoes with higher moisture content will weigh more than drier potatoes.
Size:
The size of a potato can vary widely, from small “new” potatoes to large baking potatoes. The weight of a potato is directly related to its size, with larger potatoes weighing more than smaller ones.
Moisture Content:
The moisture content of a potato can also affect its weight. Moist potatoes weigh more than dry potatoes. The moisture content of a potato is influenced by factors such as the variety, how it is grown, and how it is stored.
Storage:
How potatoes are stored can also affect their weight. If they are not stored properly, they will lose moisture faster and may weigh less than freshly harvested potatoes.
The ideal storage method for potatoes is a cool, dark area such as a pantry or a basement in which the temperature is approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit with sufficient air flow to keep the air from becoming stale.
The best storage container is a basket or a mesh bag that encourages sufficient airflow. Avoid storing potatoes in anything made of plastic or other non-porous material.
Avoid storing potatoes in a refrigerator. Storing them at a too-low temperature will cause the natural sugars to undergo a chemical reaction that will affect the taste and texture of the potatoes when cooked, and they will turn an unappetizing brown.
Although it seems natural to store root vegetables together, avoid storing onions with potatoes as the combination will make them produce an ethylene gas that causes them to mature faster and begin to sprout earlier.
How Much Is A Serving Of Potato?
As a cook with more than 60 years of cooking experience under my belt, I have always planned one medium size potato per person with 2 to 4 extras thrown in “just in case” when planning a meal, whether it is for mashed potatoes, potato casserole, French fries, or hash browns. The only exception might be for loaded baked potatoes, in which case I would plan to bake one large potato per person with an extra 1 or 2 for good measure.
By the time you peel a medium potato and cook and mash it, the result will be approximately 4 ounces of cooked potato. The USDA backs up my theory by recommending ½ cup or 4 oz of cooked potato as a serving.
We have established that one serving of cooked potato for one average person equals one medium potato (approximately 6 ounces), which produces 4 ounces or ½ cup of potato when cooked and peeled. So, to feed a family of 4, you will need at least 24.8 ounces of raw potato. The results of my experiment with potatoes show that I must have the following number of each type of potato to feed a family of four:
Russet:
- Small – 24.8 / 4.35 = 5.7 or 6 small potatoes
- Medium – 24.8 / 6.2 = 4 medium potatoes
- Large – 24.8 / 8.3 = 2.98 or 3 large potatoes
Red:
Average Weight 3.7 oz – 24.8/3.7 = 6.7 or 7 red potatoes
Fingerling:
Average Weight .98 oz – 24.8/.98 = 25.3 or 25 fingerling potatoes
Baby Gold:
Average Weight 1.9 oz – 24.8/1.9 = 13 baby gold potatoes
Sweet:
Average Weight 4.6 oz – 24.8/4.6 – 5.39 or 5 sweet potatoes
Final Thoughts
I should add that these are averages and estimates, and when I cook potatoes, I usually add a few extra to account for an extra person or two showing up at mealtime or even a heavy eater or two. Plus, I do like leftovers that I can work into the next meal. But the numbers of potatoes listed here are just a guide to use so that maybe you won’t run out of potatoes before the meal is finished. I hope this helps!
Thanks for stoppin’ by.
Jelly Grandma
Anne James has a wealth of experience in a wide array of interests and is an expert in quilting, cooking, gardening, camping, mixing drinks (bartending), and making jelly.
Anne has a professional canning business, has been featured in the local newspaper as well as on the Hershey website, and has been her family canner for decades. Anyone growing up in the South knows that there is always a person in the family who has knowledge of the “old ways,” and this is exactly what Anne is.
With over 55 years of experience in these endeavors, she brings a level of hands-on knowledge that is hard to surpass. Amazingly, she doesn’t need to reference many resources due to her vast wealth of experience. She IS the source.
Anne wants nothing more than to pass on her extensive knowledge to the next generations, whether that be family or anyone visiting her website, her YouTube channel, or survivalfreedom.com.
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