Ever need an avocado, but all the ones at the store are far from ripe? Or maybe it's peak avocado season and you wish you could stock up and buy 20—but we all know avocados don't last long.
Thanks to the freezer, you can stock up on in-season produce and eat it year-round. From broccoli and peas to berries and mango, we freeze all kinds of produce. So why not avocado?
Can You Freeze An Avocado?
Yes, you can freeze avocados. You can even find frozen chunks of avocado in the freezer aisle at some grocery stores. But be warned, freezing avocado can change its flavor and texture, causing it to lose its buttery feel and taste, according to Avocados From Mexico.
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Once thawed, the company says that mashed avocado might be grainy, and sliced or cubed avocado can turn mushy. So, yes, you can freeze avocado, but once thawed it might not be the best for avocado toast or topping colorful summer salads. Rather, we suggest using it in dips or smoothies where it's not the star ingredient (sorry, guac).
How Do You Freeze An Avocado?
Beyond diced avocado, there are severals ways you can freeze them depending on how you intend to use your avocados. And now that you're about to always have avocados on hand, make sure to keep these 70 avocado recipes bookmarked.
Here are all the ways you can freeze avocado:
Yes, you can throw whole avocados right in the freezer. You'll want to wrap them in plastic wrap or secure them in a plastic bag. They can also be halved or cut into slices with the skin left on, or cut into cubes with the skin removed.
To keep your avocados from turning brown, MasterClass recommends spritzing cut avocados with citrus juice and removing as much air as possible from storage bags. It's also recommended to lay cubed avocado on a baking sheet, and once the pieces freeze, transfer them to a plastic freezer bag. This method will also keep the pieces from sticking together.
You can also mash avocado (with some added citrus juice!) and store it in an airtight freezer container, or even an ice cube tray. This is an ideal method if you want to make dips, dressings, baked goods, or smoothies.
How To Thaw Frozen Avocado
How do you thaw frozen avocado when you're ready to use it? First, frozen avocado doesn't always need to be thawed—it works great for blending into smoothies. But you can also thaw avocado by placing it in the refrigerator or setting it on the counter for a few hours.
How Can You Use Frozen Avocado?
Once thawed, frozen avocado isn't going to have the creamy texture or rich flavor it has when fresh. So you should use it in recipes where it doesn't stand on its own and the flavor and consistency of fresh avocado isn't key. Throw frozen chunks into the blender for a green smoothie, or thaw it and use in this copycat Trader Joe's Green Goddess Dressing, avocado pancakes, or chocolate avocado bread.
How Long Does Frozen Avocado Last?
It's better to use frozen avocado sooner than later. It should last one to two months in the freezer, according to Avocados From Mexico.
Allison Arnold is the Associate SEO Editor at Delish, where she writes about kitchen gadgets and food and culture. She likes exercising almost as much as eating, and has a thorough Google Maps ranking system for her favorite restaurants and bars. You can find her spewing hot takes on the food world and planning her next trip, all with multiple cans of seltzer open at a time.
