You know how fresh avocados are. They are completely unripe one minute, perfectly ripe the next, and then overripe a minute later. Knowing how to freeze avocados can ensure that you have a perfectly ripe avocado on hand when you need it the most!
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Can You Freeze Avocado?
Yes! You can freeze avocados and extend their shelf life, but there are a couple of things to be aware of before you start shoving them into your freezer. Whether you have an avocado tree in your yard or you’ve scored a bounty of ripe avocados from the grocery store, these tips will help keep you from wasting them next time!
5 Easy Ways To Freeze Avocado!
Freezing fresh avocado is easy to do. You also have options! Freeze avocado pieces, avocado chunks, avocado purée, or even whole avocados. Choose the best way to freeze avocados for you.
1. How To Freeze A Whole Avocado
One thing you should know about freezing an entire avocado is that color and flavor will change. The texture change is noticeable too. While you won’t want to use it for avocado toast or in salads, there are other ways to use a whole frozen avocado.
- Leave the skin on.
- Put your avocados in the freezer whole. It helps to put them in a freezer bag and label it with the date.
- Use them within 3 months.
2. How To Freeze Avocado Halves
If you freeze avocado halves, you can have them portioned out to make a chocolate avocado smoothie and plenty more. Here’s how to do it!
- Slice the avocado lengthwise, going around the pit.
- Separate the avocado into two equal halves.
- Give each side of exposed avocado flesh a squeeze of citrus (lemon or lime juice works great here) to keep them from browning.
- Wrap each half up nice and tight in a wax wrap or plastic wrap.
- Stow them in a freezer-safe container like a Stasher bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing it.
3. How To Freeze Sliced Avocado
If you want to have avocado slices ready to go for your next salad or sandwich, here’s how to freeze them.
- Start by slicing the avocado in half and removing the pit.
- Cut the avocado flesh into slices, then throw away the peel.
- Place the avocado slices onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle the slices with fresh lemon juice.
- Freeze until the slices are solid, then move to either a freezer bag or an airtight container to keep in your freezer until ready to use.
4. How To Freeze Cubed Avocado
Would you prefer your avocado to be in cubes? Here’s how you can freeze it that way!
- Cut your avocado in half and toss the pit.
- Make cuts into the flesh of the avocado to create cubes and throw out the peel.
- Arrange the cubes of avocado onto a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Give the cubes a spray or drizzle of a bit of lemon juice.
- Freeze them until they’ve become solid. You can then use an airtight container or freezer-safe bag to store them in your freezer.
5. How To Freeze Mashed Avocado
If you love guacamole, then freezing pureed avocados is the way to go. You’ll always be ready with a batch of guac for game day, movie night, tacos, or any time that craving strikes.
- Mash your ripe avocados with a tad of lemon or lime juice. You can use a fork, potato masher or even make an avocado puree with your food processor.
- Put the mashed avocado in an airtight container.
- Freeze your mashed avocado.
Alternatively, you can scoop the mashed avocado into an ice cube tray. Once it is frozen, transfer the cubed avocado into a freezer-safe container such as a resealable bag.
Full Recipe Video: How To Freeze Avocado 5 Ways
Tips For Freezing and Thawing
Keep in mind that frozen avocados are best used within 3 months. To thaw them, it’s quite simple. You’ll want to move the portion you intend to use from your freezer into the fridge to thaw overnight. You can also set your frozen avocado out at room temperature. Depending on how you’ve frozen it, this can take about 30 minutes or longer.
For a whole frozen avocado, you will want to rinse it under cool water, pat it dry, and then set it on your countertops. Don’t forget that avocados will have excess water content as they thaw.
You will want to use them the same day you thaw them out, no matter which way you stored them in the freezer.
How To Use Frozen Avocado
What should you do with your California avocados that you’ve pulled from the freezer? It’s best not to use them in avocado toast, where they are often the star ingredient. Here’s how you can use them!
Sandwiches
You won’t want them on avocado toast because you’ll be able to taste the change in flavor and texture. Instead, put them along with vegan bacon, fresh tomato, lettuce, roasted red pepper, and more or even some melted vegan cheese for a delicious café-style lunch.
Smoothies
Your smoothie recipes will be creamier and more nutritious with your avocado blended in. You won’t notice any changes to the original format since your other ingredients will balance it out.
Guacamole
Need I say more? Your mashed avocado from the freezer only needs some chopped red onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and spices to make the best guacamole ever!
Dips
Why not combine that avocado for guacamole dips mixed with tomatillo or avocado hummus? Yum!
Dressings and Sauces
Because of its creamy texture, avocado is great for dressings and sauces. Simply add a little lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and red wine vinegar, and put your thawed avocado with it into the blender for a salad dressing you’ll want to eat on everything.
Desserts
Chocolate avocado pudding, avocado brownies, avocado ice cream, and more can all be made with your avocados from the freezer. You won’t have to worry about brown spots here!
FAQ
Yes, you absolutely can freeze a whole avocado. It’s best to take the extra few seconds to slice, cube, or mash it up first. However, even if you stick it in a freezer bag and tuck it away, you won’t let that avocado go to waste.
When freezing whole, you can stick that avocado in a freezer bag and let it be. For sliced or cubed avocado, you should spread the slices or cubes onto a lined baking sheet and freeze them until they become solid first. Then you can portion them into freezer bags or an airtight container for later use without them sticking together in a big, difficult clump.
If you’re mashing your avocado first, you’ll want to put it in an airtight container as it will be easier to scoop out and use once you thaw it out.
When you freeze your avocados, they will retain their nutrition. However, when you store or thaw them, they may take on a brown hue. They will still be good to eat, but they won’t have the prettiest presentation, so stick to putting them in smoothies, dips, guacamole, dressings, desserts, and spreads.
With sliced, cubed, or mashed frozen avocado, you should make sure you give them a spritz of citrus juice from lemon or lime to help keep them from browning.
Yes, frozen avocados taste good. You’ll likely find you don’t want them to be the only ingredient on your sandwich or salad since they will taste a little different from their fresh counterparts. However, freezing them definitely ensures you won’t waste this precious kitchen staple!
Final Words
The next time you have a perfectly ripe avocado but can’t make time to eat it before it becomes overripe, try one of these easy methods for how to freeze avocado. All avocado lovers need a way to have extra avocados on hand at any time!
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This is great. I am going to save some money now!
Excellent!