How To Freeze Avocado
Whether you're trying to make a simple avocado toast recipe, or you're getting crafty in the kitchen with an avocado dessert, the last thing you want is an overripe avocado. While it is safe to eat brown avocado, it is, admittedly, not aesthetically pleasing.
There are plenty of reasons to eat a lot of avocado but it can be a challenge to stock up on them knowing their tendency to accelerate from ripe to overripe at warp speed. You can start with learning how to pick the best avocados and then try some of the best ways to keep them fresh. But sometimes you can't just rely on those methods to ensure that you have that fresh deep green goodness ready to go when you need it.
One of the easiest ways to keep avocado around without worrying about freshness is to freeze it. While freezing isn't ideal for a dish that requires slices of fresh avocado, it's a perfect way to preserve avocados for purees, smoothies, and even guacamole.
How to best freeze and thaw avocados
Some may question if avocados freeze well or if freezing avocados ruins them, but the reality is that you can effectively store avocados in the freezer. According to Healthline, the best way to begin the freezing process with avocado is to start by halving the avocado (or slicing it into smaller pieces), and then brushing or misting it with lemon. Next, wrap the avocado tightly with plastic wrap, leaving as little room for air as possible.
Healthline also recommends freezing already pureed or mashed avocado and storing it in a resealable bag or airtight container, or even an ice cube tray. If you have a vacuum sealer, that will work well, too.
Once you've frozen your avocado, the natural question is: How do I best thaw avocados? Masterclass recommends taking frozen avocados from the freezer to thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours. Masterclass does note that the texture of frozen avocado may differ from fresh avocado, sporting a less firm consistency. This makes it more ideal for spreads and smoothies.
As Wholesome Yum notes, one of the best benefits to freezing avocados is that you can grab a bunch while they're on sale, which is a great tip in a time when food costs are rising. But whether times are tough or not, effectively freezing food is always a good way to cut on waste and keep your favorites on hand.