Learn how to store avocados and enjoy them fresh in salads, in a burrito or sushi bowl.

Avocados are nutritious and versatile. They contain healthy fats, which can help you feel fuller for longer. Their smooth and creamy texture makes them perfect for sweet desserts and dips. They can be used in healthy meals like this homemade chicken chipotle burrito bowl recipe or even in vegan sushi. 

Before we get to learn about how to store avocado, let’s discuss how to tell if an avocado is ripe.

How to tell if an avocado is ripe

A fully ripe avocado will give under pressure and have a darker peel than an unripe one. However, the avocado shouldn't be mushy or have large indentations suggesting it's past its prime. Unripe avocados have bright green peels and do not yield to firm pressure.

You must consider your intended use when choosing the best avocado for your requirements. A ripe avocado must be consumed within two to three days of purchase to avoid spoilage. If you aren't using your avocado for several days after purchasing it, consider choosing a slightly underripe avocado so it has time to ripen.

Now let’s discuss storing avocados.

How to store avocado

Storing avocado need not be difficult. The best way to store avocado depends upon when you want to eat it, and if it is open or not. We reckon storing avocado in the fridge or freezer helps avocados stay fresh so they can be enjoyed for longer. There are many benefits to knowing how to store avocado properly. So, here are our tips on how to store avocado:

How to store whole avocado

(i) How to store a whole unripe avocado 

Wondering how to store unripe avocado? Leaving your avocados on the counter uncovered will allow them to ripen at room temperature. Up to five days may pass before they are fully ripe, so be sure to check them every day by gently pressing on them to see if they give. For rapid ripening, put them in a paper bag. 

(ii) How to store a whole ripe avocado

Not sure how to store ripe avocado? It is best to store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This will slow the ripening process, allowing you a few days to eat the avocado, depending on how ripe it is. Once you’re ready to eat your avocados, this recipe for the ever popular Guacamole is tasty.

How to store cut avocado

Once an avocado is cut or opened, it has to be eaten or preserved so it doesn’t oxidise and turn brown. For a quick no-cook avocado dish, try the easy and tasty tuna and salmon tartare with avocado sushi recipe.

How to store open avocado 

How to store avocado half and how to store avocado with pit is the same. Sprinkle it with lemon or lime juice. Then, wrap it tightly with cling wrap. This is a useful method for how to store avocado in the fridge and how to keep avocados fresh. The avocado will last a few days till you are ready to eat it.

You may be thinking, isn't there another way on how to store avocados? Yes! You can store them in water. 

This is how to store avocados in water:

• Fill a container halfway with water
• Add your open avocado to the container
• Fill container with water and cover
• Store in the fridge 

The avocado will stay fresh for 2 days. Thereafter, you could try this Mexican pozole recipe. It tastes great with avocado.

How to preserve avocado for months

How to preserve avocado? The freezer is the best avocado storage as it can keep it preserved for months. This is ideal if you feel like making a spontaneous creamy dip of chilled chile con queso with avocado. It goes well with crispy homemade potato chips.

How to store avocado in freezer

How to store mashed avocado? The same way as storing avocados that are chopped in the freezer. It's simple! 
Chop or mash the avocado and spray with lemon juice. Wrap in cling wrap and put in a freezer bag. It should last for 3-6 months. 

How to freeze avocados

Mist ripe avocados with citrus juice before sealing them in a storage bag to minimise air exposure and prevent excessive browning in the freezer. Use a vacuum sealer for the best outcome. The following are a few of the most popular techniques for freezing avocados:

• Whole: Thoroughly rinse the outer skin of each avocado before patting it dry and wrapping it in plastic wrap before freezing. The avocados should then be sealed in a freezer-safe plastic bag or reusable silicone bag and placed in the freezer.
• Half: Slice the avocado in half lengthwise, enclosing the pit, and divide the fruit into two portions to freeze. To avoid browning, spritz a little lemon or lime juice on each cut side before tightly wrapping them in plastic wrap. Put the wrapped avocados in a freezer bag, seal it, and press the air out. To avoid clumping, store the bag in the freezer in a flat layer until the halves are solid.
• Sliced: Remove the avocado's pit and slice the flesh into bite-sized pieces to freeze in slices or cubes. Throw away the peel. Place the avocado on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spritz it with lemon juice, and then freeze it until it is completely solid. The frozen avocado should be transferred to a freezer bag or an airtight container, sealed, and stored in the freezer.
• Mashed: One of the easiest methods to prepare a batch of guacamole in advance is to freeze mashed avocado. Ripe avocados can be puréed in a food processor or mashed with lemon or lime juice in a bowl using a fork or potato masher. After that, put the avocado in an airtight container to freeze it. Puréed avocado also makes a great baby food for new parents: avocados and a little water should be blended to your desired consistency before being transferred to ice cube trays for portion control.

Once you are ready to use your frozen avocado, you’ll need to thaw it properly. 

How to thaw frozen avocado

The process of thawing frozen avocados is simple: you can either leave the avocado out at room temperature for a few hours or simply move the portion you need from the freezer to the refrigerator, where it can thaw overnight. Avocados may become mushy as they defrost due to their high water content, so try to use them the very day you thaw them out.

Some more avocado recipes to enjoy

• Chicken Avocado Fettuccine
• Avocado Pesto Pasta
• Superfood Chicken salad
• Mango and avocado salad
• Healthy Avocado Smash for Breakfast