How To Store Cut Avocado So It Lasts Longer

Are you tired of watching your avocados turn from vibrant green to an unappetizing shade of brown? You’re not alone. We’ve all experienced the frustration of cutting into a perfectly ripe avocado only to find it go bad within the blink of an eye. Fear not, fellow avocado lover! In this article, we’ll show you how to store cut avocado to maintain its deliciousness. From preserving its creamy texture to preventing unsightly browning, these tips and tricks will ensure your avocados stay picture-perfect.

Image for how to store cut avocado halves.

With the growing popularity of avocados and dishes like avocado toast, chefs and home cooks alike are finding inventive ways to incorporate this versatile fruit into both sweet and savory dishes. A few examples of these that you can find here are our chocolate avocado muffins and our juicy turkey avocado burger recipe.

Did you know that 95% of the avocados grown in the United States comes from California? The golden state is also responsible for 10% of the world’s production of avocados. Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Choosing the Perfect Avocado

When choosing a perfectly ripe avocado, it’s all about finding that delicate balance. You don’t want an unripe avocado that’s too firm, but also want to avoid an overripe one that’s too mushy. So how do you know when an avocado is just right? Here are a few tips to help you on your next trip to the grocery store:

Touch – First, give the avocado a gentle squeeze. It should yield slightly to pressure, but not feel overly soft or mushy. Think of it as giving a friendly handshake – firm, but with a little give. Avoid avocados that feel rock hard as they are likely not yet ripe.
Examine the Avocado Skin – Take a look at the avocado surface and color. Ripe avocados will have a dark green skin that almost appears black. However, be cautious of avocados with a surface area characterized by deep indentations or overly wrinkled skin, as these may be signs of overripeness or spoilage.
Removing the Stem – Another trick is to remove the small stem at the top of the avocado. If the area underneath is green, the avocado is good to go. If it’s brown, the avocado may be overripe or even rotten. But don’t worry if the stem doesn’t easily come off – that doesn’t necessarily mean the avocado is bad. It’s just one of many factors to consider.
Time Frame – Lastly, consider the time factor. If you need an avocado for immediate use, choose one that’s slightly softer. On the other hand, if you’re planning ahead and want an avocado to ripen over a few days, opt for a firmer one with bright green skin. You can speed up the ripening process by placing the avocado in a brown paper bag with a banana, which releases ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent. Another way to speed up the process is to wrap it in foil and bake it at 200°F for 10-15 minutes.

It’s best to consume avocados that are at their peak ripeness within 1-2 days.

Maximizing Ripeness

The ripening process is primarily influenced by temperature and time. Placing uncut avocados in a warm, room temperature environment, like a kitchen counter or a paper bag, speeds up the process. On the other hand, if you want to slow down the ripening process, keeping avocados in the refrigerator is the way to go. It would be ideal to store avocados in the crisper drawer. The cool temperature of the fridge delays the release of ethylene gas and helps maintain the avocado’s current state.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be sure to select perfectly ripe avocados every time.

Preventing Browning with Citrus Juice

Let’s explore how to prevent browning with citrus juice. Ascorbic acid and citric acid are compounds that can be found in fresh citrus juice. These compounds help minimize browning. An effective method to keep your haas avocados fresh and creamy is to use a citrus juice like lemon or lime juice. The natural acidity of lemon juice helps slow down the enzymatic browning process and preserves the vibrant green avocado flesh.

To do this, start by placing avocado on a cutting board and cut it in half. The pit can remain intact. Squeeze a little lemon juice directly onto the exposed flesh of the avocado halves. The goal is to coat the entire surface with a thin layer of juice.
You can use a brush or your fingers to gently spread the lemon juice evenly. Alternatively, you can dip the cut side of the avocado directly into a small bowl of lemon juice.

Whichever method you choose, make sure to thoroughly cover the exposed avocado flesh with lemon juice to create a protective barrier against browning.

It’s important to note that while lemon juice is effective in preventing browning, it may slightly alter the taste of the avocado. The citrusy flavor of the lemon can subtly infuse into the flesh, giving it a tangy flavor. If you prefer a more neutral taste, you can use lime juice as an alternative.

Squeezing lemon juice over avocado chunks.

How to Store Cut Avocado

Whether you have leftover avocado halves, avocado slices or want to prepare some in advance, proper storage and minimum oxygen exposure will keep them fresh and ready to use when you need them. From simple wrapping techniques to using innovative tools, there are several options available to extend the lifespan of your fresh avocados.

To inhibit the oxidation process and maintain the freshness of cut avocados, consider the following methods:

Refrigeration with Citrus: Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to any exposed area of the avocado. Place the cut avocado in an air-tight container cut-side down or wrap it in plastic wrap, ensuring direct contact between the wrap and the exposed flesh. Refrigerate promptly.
Onion Method: Store the cut avocado with half of a chopped onion. The sulfur compounds in onions can help delay the browning process. Place the avocado in an airtight container with the onion or wrap both together in cling wrap before refrigerating. This technique should add an extra day or two to the shelf life of your avocado. Keep in mind that this storage method will definitely add an onion flavor and smell to your avocado.
Coating with Oil: Lightly brush the cut surface of the avocado with a thin layer of olive oil or another cooking oil. This forms a protective layer, minimizing exposure to air and slowing down oxidation. Wrap the avocado tightly or store it avocado cut-side down in an airtight container before refrigerating.
Vacuum Sealing: If you have a vacuum sealer, use it to remove excess air around the cut avocado. Less air exposure slows down oxidation. Place the vacuum-sealed avocado in the refrigerator. By vacuum sealing your cut avocados, you can extend their shelf life by several days. Just remember to store them in the refrigerator to maximize their freshness.
Pit-In Storage: Leave the pit in half of an avocado if only using one portion. The pit helps reduce the surface area exposed to air, slowing down browning. Coat the exposed areas with a citrus juice then wrap the avocado tightly making sure to press the wrap directly onto the cut surface of the avocado to create an airtight seal. or place it in an airtight food storage container before refrigerating.
Beeswax Wrap – Beeswax wrap is a great alternative to plastic wrap. Start by warming beeswax wrap in your hands then proceed to fold the wrap over the cut avocado, covering it completely. Press the wrap around the avocado to create a seal. Ensure that the edges of the beeswax wrap are securely sealed. The warmth of your hands helps soften the wrap, allowing it to adhere to the avocado and create a protective layer.
Avocado Huggers – These silicone covers eco-friendly and are specially designed to fit around your halved avocados, providing a snug and airtight seal. Not only do they keep your avocados fresh, but they also help reduce food waste by eliminating the need for disposable plastic wraps.
Avocado Saver – Avocado savers are specifically designed containers that mimic the shape of an avocado, complete with a secure lid. These containers help to minimize air exposure and keep the avocado fresh for longer periods. Some avocado savers even come with adjustable straps to hold the two halves together, preventing any air contact.
Frozen Avocado – Explore our guide for how to freeze avocado to discover easy ways of freezing this popular fruit. From avocado chunks to sliced avocado and whole avocados, this guide has got you covered!

Removing seed from cut avocado with a knife.

Food storage tip: avoid wrapping avocado half in aluminum foil as the direct contact can speed up the browning process.

From selecting the perfectly ripe fruit to preventing browning with lemon juice, we’ve uncovered the best ways for preserving avocado freshness. By following these guidelines and methods, you will confidently know how to store cut avocado to enjoy later as well as minimizing food waste.

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