Breakfast: Avocado on toast, Snack time: Tortilla chips and Guacamole, Dinner: Chicken and Avocado pasta. Avocado is everywhere and one of everyone’s favorite go-to ingredients!
Avocados are in high demand and can often be pricey. It would be ideal to buy avocados in bulk when they are in season to use year-round, but how can you keep them long-term as they ripen so quickly?
My recommendation is to buy avocados in bulk and freeze them!
In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to freezing avocados.
Why Freeze Avocados?
Freezing avocados is definitely one of the most convenient and easy ways to take advantage of a great price on such a delicious and healthy fruit!
The creamy texture of a fresh avocado is preserved during the freezing process, which is why it’s a great idea to stock up on them when they’re in season and relatively cheap.
Freezing avocados when they’re ripe also allows you to always have a fresh avocado on hand, even when they are out of season. Since avocados tend to ripen and spoil quickly, freezing them will also help you reduce waste, thereby saving you money.
The versatility of avocados in recipes makes them an ideal choice for meal prep and planning, as they taste great when included in a wide variety of dishes.
Different Methods To Freeze Avocados
In order to prevent fresh, ripe avocados from browning extensively in the freezer, a popular tip used by the pros is to mist the fruit with citrus juice and proceed to remove as much air from the storage bag as possible before sealing it.
For optimal results, you can use a vacuum sealer! The most tried and tested methods for freezing avocados are listed below:
1. Freezing A Whole Avocado
To freeze a whole avocado, start by rinsing the outer skin thoroughly, then proceed to dry and wrap each avocado in plastic wrap such as cling film. Once done, place the wrapped avocados in a freezer-compliant plastic bag or a reusable silicone bag, seal it completely and store it in your freezer – done and easy!
2. Freezing Sliced Avocado
This method proves to be convenient if you want to use avocado slices for a recipe. You can freeze your avocado slices or bite-sized sliced cubes by taking out the pit and slicing the avocado into your preferred pieces. You can then discard the peel and arrange the slices on a baking sheet without touching each other.
Make sure to line the sheet with parchment paper to prevent the avocado slices from sticking. To ensure the fruit doesn’t brown, spritz each slice generously with lemon juice, and then freeze till solidified. Once the avocado slices are frozen solid, you can transfer the frozen slices to a freezer bag or a freezer-friendly container and place them in the freezer for long-term storage!
3. Freezing Halved Avocado
This is a preferred method as it’s often the case where we tend to use only half an avocado and then do not know what to do with the other half. Solution: freeze the avocado halves by slicing the fruit lengthwise around the pit, and then you can separate the avocado into two pieces.
To prevent browning, spritz each half with a little lemon or lime juice and then wrap each side in plastic wrap tightly. Put the wrapped avocados in a freezer-friendly bag, and make sure to release any trapped air before sealing the bag properly. You can then store the bag in the freezer. Lay the halves flat until they have frozen completely, and then you can rearrange them as you’d like.
4. Freezing Mashed Avocado
Freezing a mashed avocado is one of the easiest ways to prep your favorite comfort foods ahead of time; yes, you guessed it: we’re talking about a nice big batch of guacamole.
You can mash ripe avocados mixed with lemon or lime juice in a container with literally a spoon or a fork. You can even blend or purée avocado slices using a blender or food processor! Proceed to move the puréed avocado to a container that is airtight, and tuck the mashed goodness into a spot in your freezer.
How to Thaw Frozen Avocados
Thawing frozen avocados is not difficult, it is quite a simple and straightforward process. All you have to do is simply transfer the amount or portion you require from the freezer to your refrigerator. The avocado can then thaw and defrost overnight. Alternatively, you can also leave it out at room temperature for an hour or so, and this should do the trick.
As avocados defrost, they do tend to turn mushy due to their excess water content, so it’s best to use them as soon as they have been thawed.
The freezing process can affect the texture of the avocado, so mashing, blending, or puréeing would be considered the best methods for freezing avocados.
Some excellent ways to incorporate thawed avocados in your everyday diet would be by using them in the following ways:
Smoothies. Avocados are an excellent ingredient to add to the classic healthy green smoothie. Just use half an avocado mixed with a cup of frozen fruit, some nice leafy greens such as kale or spinach, and use some fruit juice or almond milk to top it off!
Bread Toppings. Avocado toast is a part of practically everyone’s daily routine, and so, freezing avocados means your favorite toast topping/ ripe sandwich spread is just a short thaw away and ready to use!
Fun Dips. Frozen mashed avocado definitely makes it so much easier to prep quick avocado recipes like avocado hummus or guacamole. Some guac alongside tortilla chips for your next taco night, or some snacking avocado hummus in a crudité platter is definitely the way to go!
Dressings. Avocados are an excellent healthy ingredient that perks up salad dressings with its creamy texture. You can mix the avocado with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and red wine vinegar in a blender or food processor, and season with salt and pepper. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little water if needed, and there you have it, the optimal salad dressing packed with a punch of flavor!
There’s no denying that a delicious ripe avocado is a great addition to many meals, recipes, and snacks. Unfortunately avocados are not always available at a price we’re willing to pay.
Therefore, I recommend freezing avocados when you’re able to get your hands on a bunch at a great price. This way you can be assured of having a ripe and ready avocado on hand whenever you want it.
