This Simple Trick Keeps Potatoes from Turning Brown

When preparing a meal for guests, there are so many ingredients to chop, proteins to marinate, and sides to prep, you’ll want to make sure all that hard work pays off. The last thing you need is a side dish full of gray potato salad or a muddled brown mash.

Here’s how to keep potatoes from turning brown, so they’ll be worthy of both your finest dinner party and your casual weeknight meals (these mashed potato dishes are perfect for either!).

Starch is the problem

If you’ve ever cubed a potato only to come back to a brownish-gray mess on your cutting board 10 minutes later, you’re not alone. Potatoes brown quickly when exposed to fresh air because they are jam-packed with starch. When these starches are exposed to oxygen, they undergo a process called oxidation, which leaves your potato with a grayish or brownish tint. They’re 100% edible, but instantly less appetizing.

Slow browning with water

The easiest (and most common) method for protecting your precious potatoes from browning is to use cold water. When sliced spuds are placed in water, the oxidation process slow.

Make-ahead tip! Sliced, shredded, cubed, or really any kind of peeled potato can be stored in cold water for about 24 hours before any noticeable change happens to the potato’s structure or texture.

Grated potatoes (like the ones you need for these creamy hash browns) brown even faster than cubed ones, so waste no time getting them into water. Fill a bowl with just enough cool water to cover your potatoes by about an inch. Place your mandoline and grater directly over the bowl and grate straight into the water to keep your potatoes as white as possible.

Psst: Are you making this dangerous mistake with your mandoline?

Acid stops it altogether

As mentioned above, placing spuds in water will slow the oxidation process, but it will not stop it. If you’re planning to store your potatoes in water for more than six hours, say overnight, adding a bit of acid is a good idea.

Lowering the pH of the potato helps fight off oxidation. Just like you squeeze a lemon on sliced apples, a bit of lemon juice or white vinegar in the bowl with the potatoes will ward of gray hues. Use the ratio of one teaspoon to a half gallon of water to get all the anti-browning impact with no notable flavor changes.

Now that you’re ready to party with the most beautiful potatoes possible; try out our favorite scalloped potato recipes.

32 Recipes That Take Mashed Potatoes to a Whole New Level

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Colcannon Potatoes

Every Irish family has its own colcannon recipe, since it's a classic dish. My recipe comes from my father's family in Ireland. It's part of my St. Pat's menu, along with lamb chops, carrots and soda bread. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon

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Cheese Smashed Potatoes

Who doesn't like mashed potatoes? Try this slimmed-down dish with any entree. —Janet Homes, Surprise, Arizona

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Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole

Bacon, cheddar and sour cream turn ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary twice baked potato casserole. It's one of our family's beloved standards for the holidays. —Kyle Cox, Scottsdale, Arizona

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Sour Cream Potatoes

One of the great things about these creamy potatoes is they turn out even better if you make them a couple days ahead and bake them on the day you serve them till they're golden brown on top.—Krista Smith Kliebensteain, Broomfield, Colorado

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Loaded Smashed Taters

You can make an entire pot of smashed taters in the time it takes to bake a single potato! I like to use baby Yukon Golds because the skins are very thin and easy to mash. Make this to your taste—sometimes I add in garlic and chives or sub shallots for the green onions. My husband loves these potatoes with steak, and even my 20-month-old daughter enjoys them! —Andrea Quiroz, Chicago, Illinois

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Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

With five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois

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Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

Caramelized onions give a sweet and savory taste to this side dish from our Test Kitchen. Prepared with red potatoes, reduced-fat cheese and bacon, it makes a heartwarming accompaniment to any main course.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Rich & Creamy Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

For special occasions (like my husband’s birthday dinners), I mash my potatoes with cream cheese, sour cream and Parmesan. It's divine comfort food. —Jo Ann Burrington, Osceola, Indiana

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Potato Stuffing Casserole

I adapted this recipe from a Pennsylvania Dutch cookbook, and it's indicative of the fine German cooking found in this area. If you're looking for an alternative to mashed potatoes, try this dish. —Elsa Kerschner, Kunkletown, Pennsylvania

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Apple Mashed Potatoes

I love potatoes…especially mashed. When I came up with this combination, it was declared a winner. I serve this as a side dish when I have pork as an entree, but it's great with any meat. —Rebecca Page, Pensacola, Florida

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Creamy Mushroom-Potato Bake

The day I first made this, we'd invited a neighbor—a bachelor farmer—over, and I wanted to fix something hearty. It was a hit instantly. These days, our three sons enjoy it as a change from regular mashed potatoes. We've found that it's best served with beef...either with or without gravy. —Kathy Smith, Granger, Indiana

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Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

When I serve this easy mash, the bowl is always scraped clean. Before holiday feasts, I make it early and keep it warm in a slow cooker so I can focus on last-minute details. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana

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Cheddar and Chive Mashed Potatoes

My husband swears my cheddar mashed potatoes are the world's best. We always have some in the freezer. Sometimes I dollop individual servings in muffin cups and reheat them that way instead. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida

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Party Potatoes

These creamy tasty potatoes can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to pop them in the oven (I often do that). The garlic powder and chives add zip, and the shredded cheese adds color. —Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa

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Stilton, Bacon & Garlic Smashed Potatoes

Bold, savory flavor from bacon, Stilton cheese and fresh garlic take mashed potatoes to a whole new level. This side dish is so rich and satisfying, it could be eaten as an entree! —Jamie Brown-Miller, Napa, California

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Potato Pumpkin Mash

No more plain white mashed potatoes for us! I swirl fresh pumpkin into potatoes for a little extra holiday color. — Michelle Medley, Dallas, Texas

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Chunky Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I like to dress up these mashed spuds with a whole bulb of roasted garlic. It may seem like overkill, but once cooked, any harshness mellows out and you're left with sweet and delicate garlic flavor. —Mrs. Jackie Gregston, Hallsville, Texas

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Mashed Potatoes with Garlic-Olive Oil

Garlic mashed potatoes are high on our love list. To intensify the flavor, I combine garlic and olive oil in the food processor and drizzle it on top of the potatoes. — Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

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Confetti Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes make a beautiful side dish for any meal. Onion, peppers and cheese add color and flavor to the potatoes. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma

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Mashed Potato Cups

This recipe makes a tasty side dish that's a nice alternative to the standard potatoes or rice. —Jill Hancock, Nashua, New Hampshire

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Slow-Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family's taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida

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Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes

My family loves this decadent homestyle recipe of buttermilk, potatoes and butter. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy! —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Loaded Smashed Potatoes

If mashed potatoes are a must at your family Thanksgiving, then why not go all out with the works? I love garlic, onions and bacon, and this dish has all three! —Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri

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Classic Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

These make-ahead mashed potatoes save me a ton of time on Christmas day. No more frantically whipping the potatoes while hungry family and guests hang around the kitchen! —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington

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Mozzarella Mashed Potato Remix

Here's a yummy way to finish off extra mashed potatoes. The gooey cheese, creamy potatoes and golden crust blend perfectly to create spud heaven. Your family will love this mashed potato casserole!—Rosemarie Weleski, Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania

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Cheddar Cheese Mashed Potatoes

A sweet potato added to the usual Yukon golds gives these cheesy potatoes a slightly sweet flavor and nice rich color. No one will believe they’re lighter. —Connie Boll, Chilton, Wisconsin

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Gouda Mixed Potato Mash

Everything's better with cheese, right? This cheesy two-potato mash is no exception. If you cube the cheese, you’ll discover delicious pockets of melted cheese throughout the dish. —Shelby Goddard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Double-Baked Mashed Potatoes

Dress up an all-time favorite comfort food with savory fixings. This is an easy twice baked mashed potatoes recipe that delivers big flavor. Better still, you can effortlessly double or triple it for a crowd. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana

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Triple Mash with Horseradish Bread Crumbs

Why settle for traditional mashed potatoes when you can enjoy three times the flavor? Combine spuds with rutabaga and parsnips, along with the zip of horseradish, for a taste treat. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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Spanakopita Mashed Potatoes

I learned to cook by watching my mom in the kitchen. Most of the recipes I make use only five or six ingredients, and have a healthier bent. I created this recipe after I tried a spinach-topped baked potato. Flecks of red and green from the potato skin and spinach make these potatoes look festive and special. By not peeling the potatoes, you not only keep some nutrients, you also save on prep time.—Ashley Levy, Columbia, Maryland

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Mediterranean Mashed Potatoes

It's hard for our family to imagine eating mashed potatoes any other way but this. It tastes great on its own or drizzled with tahini sauce. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland

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Gruyere Mashed Potatoes

Gruyere cheese and chives take mashed potatoes to a whole new level this holiday season! Don’t have chives? Just use extra green onion instead. Salsarose - Tasteofhome.com Community

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Mandy Naglich