The Right Way to Store Avocados, Whether They're Ripe, Unripe, or Already Sliced

Whether you're serving tacos, salad, or a simple slice of avocado toast, any dish with the popular green fruit is certain to be a hit. Avocados are creamy, versatile, and packed with healthy fats and fiber. They are also well known for becoming overripe and mushy in a blink of an eye. Knowing how to store avocados is key to enjoying them. Store them correctly to ensure yours are perfectly ripe the next time you need one for a recipe. Also, learn how to store guacamole, how to prevent avocados from browning, and whether you can freeze them.

How to Store Whole Avocados

The first step to successfully storing avocado doesn't happen in your kitchen, it starts at the grocery store. Choose slightly unripe avocados, says Johnny Hernandez, chef and founder of Grupo La Gloria restaurants and True Flavors Catering. This way, the ripening process can take place at home, and you can use the avocados when they reach the ripeness you want. Beyond that, the best storage method will depend on how ripe the avocados are to begin with.

Unripe Whole Avocados

"If you're not in a hurry to use unripe avocado, just let it sit on the counter," says Hernandez. If you don't have space on the counter, you can also put it in the pantry. In either scenario, set avocados apart so they're not touching each other, and avoid placing them in a bowl or pile to avoid bruising, he says. Typically, avocados can be stored up to five days this way.

To Ripen: "If you have unripe avocados and you want to accelerate the ripening process, wrap them in newspaper or place them in a brown paper bag with the top tightly closed," says Hernandez. Then place the avocados in a warm area, such as next to the stove. Avoid putting them in the refrigerator, as this will delay ripening. 

Ripe Whole Avocados

Once ripened, avocados are at their prime and should be used promptly. But if you're not ready to use them, store them in the refrigerator to extend their freshness, says Byron Rubio, executive chef at Pasión Miami and assistant culinary director at Florida Education Institute. The crisper drawer is ideal, as it is warmer than the upper shelves. If this isn't possible, simply "set the avocados on a cool spot on a kitchen counter," says Hernandez. Ripe avocados should be used within one to three days.

How to Store Cut Avocados

For optimal taste and texture, an avocado should only be cut when you're ready to use it, says Hernandez. However, if you need to store one that's already been cut, the right approach will keep it fresh as long as possible.

Avocado Halves

To store an avocado half (with or without the pit), follow these steps:

1. Brush the avocado flesh with lemon or lime juice. This will help minimize exposure to air and slow down browning, which is caused by a chemical process called oxidation.
2. Tightly wrap the avocado in plastic film to further reduce air exposure.
3. Place the avocado in an airtight container.
4. Store in the refrigerator in the crisper drawer.
   

"When stored properly, cut avocado can last for about a day in the refrigerator," says Rubio.

Sliced or Diced Avocado

If you've already sliced or diced an avocado, it will be more likely to brown; that's because more flesh is exposed to air. Hernandez shared the following steps to help slow down the process:

1. Place the avocado pieces in a bowl lined with lime juice.
2. Gently press the avocados into the bowl. The goal is to reduce the amount of air circulating around the pieces.
3. Soak a clean paper towel in lime juice, then place it tightly around the top of the cut avocado.
4. Place plastic wrap directly on the paper towel.
5. Store in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer for up to a day.

Is Brown Avocado Safe to Eat?

Whether it's halved, sliced, or diced, cut avocado is prone to browning during storage. This is due to plant compounds called phenols found in the avocado flesh. When avocado is exposed to air, polyphenol oxidase (an enzyme) triggers oxidation, a process that alters the structure of phenols. The result is brown avocado flesh. 

This isn’t a food safety issue, though. "Brown avocado is safe to eat, [though] its texture and flavor may not be appealing," says Rubio.

Can You Freeze Avocado?

Although the fruit is best eaten fresh, it is possible to freeze avocado:

1. Peel, pit, and slice the avocado. You can also cut it into cubes.
2. "Coat [the avocado] with lemon or lime juice to prevent browning," says Rubio.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the avocado on the sheet in a single layer, making sure to keep the pieces separate.
4. Freeze for one to two hours, or until completely frozen.
5. Transfer the avocado to a freezer-safe container or bag. If you're using a bag, push out all of the excess air to reduce the risk of freezer burn.

Like most fruit, avocado will last between eight to 12 months in the freezer, but eating it sooner will ensure optimal taste and texture.

Note that frozen avocados aren't as versatile as the fresh kind. Additionally, thawing can make them grainy and unpleasant, so they're best added directly to recipes. They work especially well in blended cold preparations like smoothies or hummus, where they'll add creaminess in their frozen state. You can also add frozen avocados to soups or stews just before serving.

How to Store Guacamole

According to Hernandez, guacamole should be stored like sliced or diced avocado: in a container with a lime juice-soaked paper towel and plastic film wrapped tightly over it. Again, the paper towel and plastic should be as close to the guacamole as possible, as this will minimize air exposure. "Seal the container with an airtight lid and store in the refrigerator," says Rubio. When stored this way, it's best eaten within a day.