• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

our recipes + your inbox = the eatmail

Join now

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • About
  • Contact

Live Eat Learn

Easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time

free ebook

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • Recipe Index
  • Vegetarian 101
  • Travel
  • Meal Plans
  • Course
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches
    • Dinners
    • Appetizers
    • Sweets
    • Drinks
  • Method
    • Air Fryer
    • BBQ & Grill
    • Blender
    • Pickling and Fermenting
    • Slow Cooker
    • Stovetop
  • Cuisine
    • American Classics
    • Chinese
    • German
    • Greek
    • Indian
    • Irish and UK
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Korean
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican
    • Thai
  • Diet
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Vegan
    • Low Carb
    • Low Calorie
    • High Fiber
    • High Protein
  • Season
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • 4th of July
    • Camping
    • Christmas
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Easter
    • Game Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Ingredient
    • Avocado
    • Bean
    • Cauliflower
    • Chickpeas
    • Eggplant
    • Mushroom
    • Tofu
    • Quinoa
    • View All
  • Collections
    • All Time Favorites
    • Air Frying
    • Budget Friendly
    • Comfort Food
    • High Protein
    • Meal Prep
    • Meatless Monday
    • View All
  • Visit our kombucha site
    Visit our dog food blog
Home Vegetarian Cooking 101 Ingredient Guides Knife Skills

How To Cut An Avocado (Easiest Method)

No ratings yet
Recipe Print Share
Share on:
By: Sarah BondUpdated: Aug 14, 2023 Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

How to cut avocados

I’m sharing my go-to method for how to cut an avocado in this straightforward and easy-to-follow guide! Once you know how to open, peel, and seed them, you can enjoy these buttery, creamy treats in a variety of dishes like salads, toast, smoothies, guacamole, and more!

How to cut an avocado.

Let’s be honest — there’s an art to cutting avocados! Whether you plan to beautifully arrange them on an avocado salad or mash ’em up for healthy guacamole, there is a way to cut them with ease. And after creating dozens of avocado recipes here on the site, I’ve found a way to cut them that give you perfect slices or cubes every time.

No more frustratingly digging out the pit or pushing it out and losing pieces of the fruit in the process. With this method, your avos will be neatly cut and no sliver will go to waste!

What are avocados?

Avocados are tree-born fruits that come in different shapes and colors, from green to black. They have a creamy texture and a unique flavor that blends well with a variety of ingredients. And at their center, avocados have a large seed, which is usually discarded.

If you’re anything like me, you absolutely love avocados! They’re versatile, rich in nutrients, and perfect for a wide variety of dishes, from avocado ice cream to avocado toast. But if you’re new to this fruit, knowing how to cut avocados might seem a bit daunting.

Fear not! This guide will show you everything you need to know, including slicing, peeling, and seeding. For more nutritional information, check out our avocado nutrition guide!

Avocados on a white background

How to tell when an avocado is ripe

The best way to determine when an avocado is ripe is to do a touch test. Cup it in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze. If it slightly gives, it’s likely ready to eat! A firm avocado is not ripe yet.

Another way to test the ripeness waters is to remove the little stem on top. If the underneath is:

  • Green: Your avocado is perfectly ripe.
  • Brown: It’s overripe.
  • Difficult to remove: The avocado isn’t ripe yet.

Now, let’s say you want to enjoy your avo’ in a yummy dish N.O.W., but your stem won’t budge. What are you to do? Luckily, you have the power to speed up the ripening process. To do so, place the avo in a paper bag with an apple or banana. These fruits produce ethylene gas, which speeds up the avo ripening process.

How to cut an avocado

While they may seem a bit tricky at first, avocados are surprisingly easy to prepare! You’ll just need a ripe avocado, a cutting board, and a sharp knife. Keep reading for tips on how to cut avocados.

Step 1: Slice the avocado in half

Start by cutting the avocado lengthwise, rotating around the seed. The idea is to slice through the skin and flesh of the avocado, but not through the seed itself.

Step 2: Twist to separate the halves

Once the avocado is cut in half, hold each side and gently twist them in opposite directions to separate the halves. One half will contain the seed and the other half will be empty.

Slicing open an avocado.
Sliced avocado.

Step 3: Remove the seed

Carefully remove the seed from the half containing the seed, embedding your knife into it and twisting. The seed should pop right out. Be cautious during this step. I recommend gripping the avocado with a tea towel to prevent injuries or laying it on a hard, flat surface like a counter or cutting board.

Removing an avocado pit.

You can also remove the seed by lodging a spoon between where the seed meets the flesh and pushing upwards. It may pop up a bit, so be careful.

Step 4: Cut each half in half

Cut each half of the avocado into two pieces, making four quarters in total. This method allows the skin to be easily peeled away from the creamy flesh.

Quartering an avocado.
Peeling an avocado.

Step 5: Peel and slice or cube

Once you have your quartered pieces, just peel away the skin! Now, you can cut the avocado into thick slices, thin slices, or cubes depending on the recipe you’re making.

Slicing an avocado.
Cubing an avocado.

Alternative: The spoon method

As an alternative, you can also use a spoon to scoop out the flesh after removing the seed. This method is especially useful for recipes like guacamole, where the shape of the avocado doesn’t really matter. Just run a spoon around the edge of where the flesh meets the peel until the flesh pops out, then slice or cube it!

Scooping out avocado flesh.

Tips for cutting an avocado

When it comes to cutting avocados, here are the main tips to keep in mind:

  • Choose ripe avocados: A ripe avocado will feel slightly soft when gently squeezed but shouldn’t have any dark blemishes or dents on the skin.
  • Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife will make the process of cutting and pitting an avocado much easier and safer.
  • Protect your hand: When removing the seed with a knife, hold the avocado with a dish towel or stabilize it on the counter to prevent potential injuries.

how to store unused avocado

Like cut apple slices, avocados oxidize fairly quickly. Nobody likes a brown bit of avo, so the best thing to do is to securely seal any leftovers as soon as they’re cut. I have found the best method to be wrapping slices or cut halves in plastic wrap. This makes it super airtight and slows down oxidation.

To keep the fruit extra fresh, a nice drizzle of lemon juice will help preserve its pretty green coloring. You can also freeze avocado for long-term storage.

Try Avocado in these recipes

Now that you’re basically an avocado professional, it’s time to add it to some recipes! Try it in any of these for a nutrient-rich bite. You can also check out the full avocado recipe archive here.

  • A jam-packed and savory sandwich? Yes, please! Try this classic Avocado Sandwich or this Strawberry Grilled Cheese number.
  • Enjoy avocado in its freshest form by adding it to Pomegranate Toast or Mango Salad!
  • For something sweet and fit for dessert, give avocado a go in this Chocolate Smoothie or this Chocolate Mousse Pie!
Cubed and sliced avocado.

Cutting avocado FAQs

Can I eat the skin of an avocado?

No, the skin of an avocado is not edible. It’s tough and bitter. That’s why you should always remove the skin before eating.

Can I eat the seed of an avocado?

It’s generally not recommended to eat the seed of an avocado. While some believe it has health benefits, the seed contains some compounds (like trypsin inhibitors and cyanogenic glycosides) that may be harmful. 

Are there different types of avocados?

Yes, there are many varieties of avocados, including Hass, Reed, Zutano, and more. The Hass avocado, with its pebbly skin and creamy texture, is the most common type found in stores and my absolute favorite.

How to cut an avocado.

How To Cut An Avocado (Easiest Method)

No ratings yet
Prep: 5 minutes minutes
Total: 5 minutes minutes
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories:
Servings: 4 servings
Print Rate
Learn how to cut avocados in this straightforward and easy-to-follow guide! Once you know how to open, peel, and seed them, you can enjoy these buttery, creamy treats in a variety of dishes like salads, toast, smoothies, guacamole, and more!

Ingredients

  • 1 avocado

Instructions 

  • Halve: Start by cutting the avocado lengthwise, rotating around the seed. The idea is to slice through the skin and flesh of the avocado, but not through the seed itself.
    Halving an avocado.
  • Open: Once the avocado is cut in half, hold each side and gently twist them in opposite directions to separate the halves.
    Opening an avocado.
  • Deseed: Carefully remove the seed from the half containing the seed, embedding your knife into it and twisting. The seed should pop right out. Be cautious during this step. I recommend setting the avocado on the cutting board or gripping the avocado with a tea towel to prevent injuries. (NEVER use a stabbing motion to remove the seed while holding the avocado in your hand).
    Deseeding an avocado.
  • Quarter: Cut each half of the avocado into two pieces, making four quarters in total. This method allows the skin to be easily peeled away from the creamy flesh.
    Quartering an avocado.
  • Peel: Once you have your quartered pieces, just peel away the skin! Now, you can cut the avocado into thick slices, thin slices, or cubes depending on the recipe you’re making.
    Peeling an avocado.
  • Spoon Method (alternative): As an alternative, you can also use a spoon to scoop out the flesh after removing the seed. This method is especially useful for recipes like guacamole, where the shape of the avocado doesn’t really matter. Just run a spoon around the edge of where the flesh meets the peel until the flesh pops out, then slice or cube it!
    Spoon method for cutting an avocado.
Did You Make This?

Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Pin on Pinterest

You may also like...

  • Avocado Pomegranate Toast
  • 5-Minute Chocolate Avocado Smoothie (Vegan Option)
  • Vegan Avocado Chocolate Mousse Pie
    Avocado Chocolate Mousse Pie
  • Avocado Bruschetta (Ready In 20 Minutes!)
Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Rate this Recipe:




Primary Sidebar

Hello

I'm Sarah

A flavor-loving nutritionist and sensory science specialist showing you how to make easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time.

Let's Meet

Freebie alert!

3 reader-favorite cookbooks delivered straight to your inbox.

Get in now!

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

Pumpkin Season!

15-Minute Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

Healthy chocolate cupcakes stacked

Healthy Chocolate Cupcakes

5-Minute Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe

Pumpkins 101

10-Minute Pumpkin Oatmeal (Stovetop or Microwave)

Pumpkin Soup with Parmesan Popcorn Crunch

Dinner This Week

Vegan tikka masala with naan and rice in a white bowl

M

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

T

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

Vegan Thai red curry in a bowl on a red background

W

Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry

Vegan nachos on a black plate on a white background - These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ "pulled pork" and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off.

R

BBQ Mushroom Pulled Pork

Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos

F

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Lemon risotto in a bowl with basil on a yellow background

S

Lemon Basil Risotto

As featured on:

3 bonus books!

Join our Eatmail newsletter to get free copies of our top 3 cookbooks, new recipes, exclusive meal plans, and more!

Follow Along

  • Easy Vegetarian Facebook Group
  • Kombucha Brewers Facebook Group
Back to Top
  • Web Stories
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Collaborate
© 2023 Live Eat Learn
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital