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Did you know you can freeze avocado? Follow these simple methods and you’ll always have this creamy fruit on hand for all your recipes!
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Can You Freeze Avocados?
Avocados are chock full of flavor and nutrients, but it can sometimes be tricky to use up several ripe avocados when they ripen all at once. Whether you bought avocados on sale or just have a surplus from a generous tree in your yard, freezing them can help prevent waste and keep that creamy goodness ready for your next recipe. Use our tips below and pop them in the freezer so you can have them on hand for all kinds of recipes. Guacamole, smoothies, dressings, and spreads can come together in no time when you have a stash of frozen avocado. So, if you find a good deal, snatch them up, then use the following tips to freeze them for later.
Freezing Avocados Whole
You can freeze the entire fruit, skin and all! This is the easiest way, and it works great. Here’s all you do:
- Wash the entire fruit and dry.
- Wrap each piece tightly with plastic wrap.
- Place each piece of fruit into a Ziploc freezer bag and seal tight.
- Keep in the freezer for 3-6 months for optimum freshness.
Avocado Halves
You’re doing a little bit more work on the front end, but having avocado halves on hand are great for when you only need a little bit at a time and don’t want to use an entire fruit.
- Wash the avocado with the skin on.
- Cut in half and peel (no need to remove the pit).
- Sprinkle lemon juice on each half.
- Wrap each avocado half in plastic wrap.
- Then, place them all in a freezer safe bag.
- Press out all the air, zip closed, then freeze.
Avocado Slices
Having frozen slices of avocado on hand are perfect for smoothies! Just grab a few at a time and toss in with fruit and veggies and you have a creamy, healthy snack or meal.
- Wash and peel the avocado.
- Slice in half with a knife, remove the pit.
- Slice the fruit into wedges or dice.
- Sprinkle or brush lemon or lime juice on each slice.
- Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about an hour.
- Then, transfer the frozen slices into a Ziploc bag and seal tight, removing all the air to prevent freezer burn.
Mashed Avocado
Mashed avocado, or avocado puree, can stay in the freezer for six months or longer, and works perfectly for guacamole, baby food, salad dressings, or spreads.
- Wash, peel, and remove pit.
- Mash with a fork or in a food processor with a little bit of lemon or lime juice.
- Store in individual serving sizes in Ziploc freezer bags, a freezer-safe bag, or freezer safe container squeezing out as much air as possible. You can also freeze smaller portions in ice cube trays if you just need baby food portions.
Tips for Freezing
- Use ripe avocados: Make sure your avocados are ripe. If they are still hard and green or they won’t be soft enough even after they thaw.
- Lemon juice: Get a cheap spray bottle from The Dollar Store and fill with lemon juice. Then, you can spray the slices evenly with lemon juice before freezing so they don’t brown.
- Freeze before bagging: Spread slices or cubes of avocado on a baking sheet or tray and freeze slightly before adding them to a freezer bag.
- Use airtight containers: Make sure to use airtight containers or Ziplock bags when storing avocado in the freezer.
- Vacuum Seal (Optional): If you have a vacuum sealer, use it to remove excess air from the storage bag or container. This helps prevent freezer burn.
Tips For Thawing and Using Frozen Avocado
- Thaw & use right away: Avocado may be brown after thawing, so use them right away or toss with lemon or lime juice before using.
- Thawing: To thaw, place in a bowl of cold water for about thirty minutes or thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Make guacamole: You can make guacamole and freeze it too! Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Use in recipes: Remember, the texture of avocados may change slightly after freezing, but their flavor remains intact, making them a convenient addition to various dishes, especially those that involve blending or mashing.
Pros and Cons to Freezing Avocados
Pros:
- Avocados are full of healthy fats and vitamins, so they’re a terrific source of nutrients for your family.
- Freezing avocado in cubes allows you to salvage all your ripe fruit to use for later.
- Frozen avocado chunks are perfect to throw into smoothies, make salad dressings, or spreading on sandwiches, burritos, or tacos.
- A scoop of mashed avocado makes perfect baby food or guacamole.
Cons:
- Avocados contain a lot of water, causing ice crystals to form. This can cause thawed avocado to be a little mushy.
- Freezing can take away the avocado’s signature creamy texture, so you may want to opt for fresh avocado for slicing on salad or avocado toast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, avocados taste good after being frozen. Freezing avocados does alter the texture, so it is preferable to use frozen avocados for smoothies, guacamole, and other recipes where they will be mashed and mixed with other ingredients. Use fresh avocado for slicing avocados on toast or to add as a garnish to dishes
If prepared with lemon or lime juice, and wrapped properly, mashed avocados won’t turn brown when they are frozen. However, if the avocado is frozen whole with the skin on, the green color will become more brownish. It is still good to use in smoothies and recipes where it is mixed with other ingredients.
Yes! Wash and dry the outside of the avocado, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a reusable or plastic freezer bag. Keep in mind, the avocado flesh will turn a little brown because of the freezing process. It can stay in the freezer up to 6 months.
Read Next: Avocado Toast – 3 ways!
Recipes that Use Frozen Avocado
You can make many different avocado recipes using avocado that has been frozen! Try a few of our favorites:
How to Freeze Avocado
How to Freeze Avocado
Video
Ingredients
- 2 avocados
- 1 teaspoon lime juice optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Method 1: Wrap each whole avocado tightly with plastic wrap. Place each piece of fruit into a Ziploc freezer bag and seal tight.
- Method 2: Cut in half (no need to peel or remove the pit). Sprinkle lemon juice on each half. Wrap each avocado half in plastic wrap then place in a freezer safe bag. Press out all the air, zip close, then freeze.
- Method 3: Peel and remove pit. Slice or dice the avocados. Sprinkle on lemon or lime juice. Place cuts on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about an hour then transfer the frozen slices into a Ziploc bag. Seal tight, removing all the air.
- Method 4: Peel and remove Pit. Mash the avocados with a fork or in a food processor with a little bit of lemon or lime juice. Store in individual serving sizes in Ziploc freezer bags or freezer-safe containers, with all the air removed.
Notes
Tips for Freezing and Thawing Avocados
-
- Make sure your avocados are ripe before freezing.
-
- Get a cheap spray bottle and fill with lemon juice. Then, you can spray your avocado pieces evenly with lemon juice before freezing so they don’t brown.
-
- Make sure to use airtight containers or freezer Ziploc bags when storing avocado in the freezer.
-
- Avocado may be brown after thawing. Use them right away or toss with lemon or lime juice.
-
- To thaw, place the frozen avocado in a bowl of cold water for about thirty minutes or thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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- You can make guacamole and freeze it too! Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
This is something that I did not know that you could do with avocados. Thank you so much for this tip,I’m pretty sure it will turn out to be one of the most useful tips that I will ever use in my cooking. We LOVE avocados! Thanks again! Lisa
Thanks for sharing these tips. I mashed and froze ripe, flavorful avocados with lime. Looked beautiful when thawed but had very little flavor—almost none—and the creaminess was gone.
Thank you for your instructions. Even though I live in the Avocado Capital I didn’t know they could be frozen. How long does a whole avocado take to thaw? Mine are all large grade avos. Thank you.
Mine usually take about 1 hour at room temperature!
Thank you very much for this beautiful, helpful list of suggestions. I’m 45 and am just now learning this- woo hoo!!🤓
Tq very much for that tip. I did try this and my avocados are now diced up and frozen. Cannot wait to try them in winter.
Thanks a lot for these suggestions re freezing avocadoes. Now gonna try one of the methods :).
Does freezing avocado make the texture different/ less enjoyable?
It depends on what you use it for. In the post above we go over how freezing affects the taste and texture in the Pros and Cons section. That should give you an idea of how to best use your frozen avocado.
I never knew you could freeze avocados! This will come in SO HANDY, especially since they get so ripe so quickly.
This is very helpful. Thanks for telling me things I did not know about avocados.
Wow how have I never frozen avocado!? This is such a great idea with great tips. Thank you!
Need to try