Guide to Freezing Avocados: 4 Freezing Methods for Avocados

The creamy texture of fresh avocado holds up to freezing, which is why many consumers stock up on them when they go on sale at the grocery store. Freezing avocados while they’re ripe means you can take your time using them in the kitchen, with less unintentional spoilage, which can help reduce food waste.

The versatility of avocados makes them an ideal choice for meal planning and last-minute weeknight creations.

To prevent ripe avocados from browning too much in the freezer, mist them with citrus juice, then remove as much air as possible from the storage bag before sealing. For best results, use a vacuum sealer. Here are some of the most common methods for freezing avocados:

• Whole: To freeze whole avocados, rinse the outer skin thoroughly, then dry and wrap each in plastic wrap. Next, place the wrapped avocados in a freezer-friendly plastic or reusable silicon bag, seal it, then store it in the freezer.
• Halved: To freeze avocado halves, slice lengthwise around the pit, and separate the avocado into two pieces. Spritz each cut side with a little lemon juice or lime juice to prevent browning, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped avocados in a freezer bag, press out the air, and seal it. Store the bag in a flat layer in the freezer until the halves are frozen to prevent clumping.
• Sliced: To freeze avocado slices or bite-sized cubes, take out the pit, and slice the avocado flesh into pieces. Discard the peel. Arrange the avocado on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spritz it with lemon juice, and freeze until it’s solid. Transfer the frozen avocado to a freezer bag or an airtight container, seal it, then place the bag in the freezer.
• Mashed: Freezing mashed avocado is one of the easiest ways to prep a batch of guacamole ahead of time. You can mash ripe avocados with lemon or lime juice in a bowl with a fork or potato masher or purée them in a food processor. Then, transfer the mashed avocado to an airtight container, and freeze. For new parents, puréed avocado also makes an excellent baby food: Blend the avocados with a little water to your preferred consistency, then transfer it to ice cube trays for easy portions.

Thawing frozen avocados is a straightforward process: Simply transfer the portion you need from the freezer to the refrigerator, where the avocado can thaw overnight, or set it out at room temperature for a few hours.

As they defrost, avocados may turn mushy from the excess water content, so aim to use them on the day you thaw them out.

The freezing process can affect the texture of the avocado, so puréeing, blending, or mashing are optimal preparation methods for the thawed fruit. Here are a few ways to use thawed avocado in your cooking:

1. 1. Add it to smoothies. Thawed avocado makes a great addition to a classic green smoothie: Combine ½ of an avocado with one cup of frozen fruit, leafy greens like spinach and kale, and top it off with almond milk or fruit juice.
2. 2. Add it to dips. A store of frozen mashed avocado makes it even easier to prepare avocado recipes like guacamole or avocado hummus. Serve guac alongside tacos and chips or pair it with the hummus in a crudité platter featuring fresh veggies.
3. 3. As a topping. If avocado toast is part of your daily routine, freezing avocados means a perfectly ripe toast topping or sandwich spread is always just a short thaw away.
4. 4. Add it to dressings. Avocado is a healthy ingredient that can add a creamy texture to salad dressings. Blend the avocado with olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and garlic in a blender or food processor, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Thin the dressing with a little cool water as needed.

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