Learn how to freeze avocados to preserve its freshness and enjoy it all year round. This simple guide includes step-by-step instructions for frozen avocados, tips, information on storage and usage and an easy recipe for chunky guacamole.
Can you freeze avocado?
In One word YES.
As someone who loves to buy avocados all around the year, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be when they go bad before I have a chance to use them. That's why I've found that freezing avocados in whole, halves, slices or puree are a great way to preserve their freshness and avoid food wastage.
Whenever avocados are on sale or at a good price, I like to pick up a lot and freeze them for later use. In this article, I share the step-by-step process for freezing avocados, as well as tips for storage and usage.
Why freeze avocados at home?
- Making frozen avocado slices, whole or halves at home is much cheaper than buying them from the supermarket. A kilogram of frozen avocado slices costs about £10, while a pack of ripe avocados at home costs only £2. That's a significant cost-saving!
- Freezing avocado slices at home helps prevent ripe avocados from going to waste.
- It allows you to preserve avocados for later use in various recipes, such as smoothies, salads, or as a topping.
- It provides convenience when avocados are not readily available or in season.
Ingredients & more: You will need
- Avocado: Select ripe avocados for freezing. They should be firm yet yield slightly to gentle pressure.
- Lemon or Lime Juice:This helps prevent browning and preserves their green colour and freshness.
- Cling film/ Plastic wrap/Beeswax paper: This creates a protective barrier against freezer burn and helps maintain their texture and taste.
- Airtight container / Freezer safe bags: The container /bags will further protect them from freezer odours and maintain their quality during storage.
Frozen Avocados Four ways: Step by Step guide
Freezing avocados are a great way to preserve their freshness and enjoy them all year round. You can freeze them as whole, halves, slices, chunks or puree.
How to freeze whole avocados?
- Select ripe avocados that are slightly soft but not mushy. Rinse to get rid of any dirt and dry them with a towel.
- Wrap each avocado tightly in plastic wrap / cling film.
- Place the wrapped avocados in a labeled freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze until you are ready to use. Avocados can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Freeze avocado halves: How?
- To freeze avocado halves, start with a ripe avocado. Wash and pat dry. Carefully cut it into halves with knife and remove the pits.
- Next, lightly coat the avocado halves with lemon or lime juice to prevent browning.
- Wrap each avocado half tightly in cling film, ensuring there are no gaps or holes.
- Place the wrapped avocado halves in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to freeze avocado chunks / slices?
- To freeze avocado pieces, slices or chunks, start with a ripe avocado. Cut it into halves, remove the pit, and cut into pieces.
- Brush the pieces with lemon or lime juice to prevent browning.
- Arrange them on a parchment paper-lined baking tray and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- Afterward, transfer the frozen slices/ chunks into labeled zip-lock or freezer-safe bags and store in the freezer until needed.
How to freeze mashed avocado?
To freeze, first make Freshly Mashed Avocados at home. Place the avocado flesh in a bowl and mash with a fork. Add lemon juice or lime juice and mash again.
Portion to individual portions in air tight containers or add them to ice cube trays. Freeze it. Cover them with a cling film as close to the puree as possible, removing any air. The reason is that frozen mashed avocado tend to brown quicker than the rest.
Thaw the Frozen Avocados
To thaw frozen avocados, there are two ways to do it.
The first method is to remove the frozen avocados from the freezer and place them in the refrigerator overnight. This allows them to thaw gradually and safely.
Alternatively, if you need to use the avocados sooner, you can let them sit at room temperature for approximately an hour or until they have thawed to your desired consistency. Remember to monitor the avocados closely to avoid over-thawing.
How to use Frozen Avocado?
Frozen avocados can be used in smashed avocado toast recipe, avocado ice cream, dips, smoothies, guacamole, hummus or flatbread.
As they are not as creamy in texture as the fresh ones, it is less suitable for salads or sandwiches. However you can use them in salad dressings.
Tips & Tricks
- Pick a ripe avocado for freezing. To check if the avocado are ripe, gently press the tip. If they are soft, you know they are ripe and ready to use.
- To prevent browning, coat the avocado halves with lemon or lime juice before freezing.
- Use a brush to coat the avocado with lemon juice. This is particularly recommended to avoid mess.
- You can also wrap avocado halves in cling film, beeswax paper or aluminum foil to protect them from air.
- Frozen avocado halves are best used in dips, smoothies, or as a substitute for butter or oil in baking recipes
- Frozen avocado halves can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Keep in mind Frozen avocado will brown as they oxidise (exposed to air) even when frozen.
Recipe FAQ's
"Ripe at home" avocados are typically sold when they are still firm and not fully ripe. These avocados need time to ripen at home before they become soft and ready to eat. On the other hand, "ripe avocados" are those that are already soft and ready to be consumed immediately. They are usually sold when they are fully ripe and have a creamy texture.
To check if an avocado is ripe, gently press the fruit with your fingers. If it yields slightly to gentle pressure and feels soft but not mushy, it is ripe and ready to eat. If it feels hard, it is underripe, and if it feels very soft or mushy, it may be overripe. Another way to check is by removing the stem; if it comes off easily and reveals green flesh underneath, the avocado is ripe.
Avocados can be stored at room temperature until they reach the desired level of ripeness. Once ripe, they can be stored in the refrigerator to slow down further ripening.
If you want to store a cut avocado, brush it with lemon or lime juice to prevent browning and then tightly wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container before refrigerating. It's best to use a cut avocado within a day or two to maintain its freshness.
Easy Chunky Guacamole Recipe
This recipe is perfect for those who want a fuss-free and flavourful guacamole in no time. Feel free to adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences.
- 3 large frozen avocados
- ½ cup fresh coriander, chopped
- 1 or 2 jalapenos, diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup diced tomato
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1 minced garlic clove for garlic lovers
Start by combining the avocados, coriander, and jalapenos in a pestle and mortar. Use a gentle pounding motion to mash them together until well mixed. Next, add the lime juice and salt to taste. Give the mixture another mash to ensure everything is well incorporated.
Finally, add the diced red onion and tomato into the mixture. Stir everything together until evenly combined.
Serve your chunky guacamole with nachos or as a tasty addition to your Mexican dishes. Enjoy!
More easy recipes where you can use Avocados
Equipment
- Cling film
- Freeze safe bags.
Ingredients
- 1 avocado
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or lime juice
Instructions
Freeze avocado whole:
- Wash the avocado thoroughly and pat it dry.
- Wrap the avocado tightly with plastic wrap or beeswax paper. Place the wrapped avocado in the freezer.1 avocado
Freeze avocado halves:
- Wash the avocado thoroughly and pat it dry.
- Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit.1 avocado
- Brush each cut side with lemon juice.1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Wrap each avocado half tightly with plastic wrap or beeswax paper. Place the wrapped avocado halves in the freezer.
- Onces frozen, transfer the avocado halves into freezer safe bags.
Freeze slices/chunks:
- Wash the avocado thoroughly and pat it dry.
- Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Scoop out the avocado flesh, removing any brown parts.
- Cut the avocado flesh into thin slices or cubes.Brush with lemon juice.1 avocado, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Place the avocado slices or cubes on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spaced apart.
- Flash freeze the avocado slices or cubes for at least an hour. Transfer the partially frozen avocado slices or cubes into a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Remove all air from the bag or container and seal it tightly and place it back in the freezer.
Freeze Mashed Avocado puree:
- Wash the avocado thoroughly and pat it dry.
- Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Scoop out the avocado flesh, removing any brown parts.
- Place the avocado flesh in a bowl or food processor. Mash the avocado with a fork or use a food processor for a smoother texture.1 avocado
- Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per avocado and mix well.1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Portion the mashed avocado into individual airtight, freezer-proof containers. Place a cling film touching the surface of the mashed avocado. Seal the containers tightly.
- Place the containers in the freezer.
Notes
- Pick a ripe avocado for freezing. To check if the avocado are ripe, gently press the tip. If they are soft, you know they are ripe and ready to use.
- To prevent browning, coat the avocado halves with lemon or lime juice before freezing.
- Use a brush to coat the avocado with lemon juice. This is particularly recommended to avoid mess.
- You can also wrap avocado halves in cling film, beeswax paper or aluminum foil to protect them from air.
- Frozen avocado halves are best used in dips, smoothies, or as a substitute for butter or oil in baking recipes
- Frozen avocado halves can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Keep in mind Frozen avocado will brown as they oxidise (exposed to air) even when frozen.
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