How To Freeze Avocados

We’re sharing everything you need to know when it comes to How to Freeze Avocados. From best practices to storing methods, here’s how to preserve avocados like a pro!

Sometimes grocery store runs leave us with far too much fresh produce. There’s a reason they say never grocery shop on an empty stomach!

If your trip to the market leaves you with more avocados than you can use before they ripen, you do have another option… freeze them!

Freezing avocados is a great way to preserve them when you think you might not eat them in time. It’s difficult to freeze avocado without turning brown, and it does lose some of its vibrant green color, but it is still great in guacamole, mashed onto toast (or avocado chocolate smoothie anyone?).

How do you store avocados in the freezer?

The best way to freeze avocado is to use an airtight, freezer-safe method. There are two options depending on how you plan to use the fruit later on.

Freeze Mashed Avocado

This method is great for using in smoothies, soups, or of course, guac (and in fact you can use this same method to freeze guac)!

1. Cut: Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit.
2. Scoop or Peel: Remove the flesh from the avocado by either scooping it out or by quartering the fruit and peeling off the skin (here’s a full tutorial!). Then, place the flesh in a bowl.
3. Mash: Mash the avocado with a fork until it reaches a smooth consistency.
4. Divide and Spread: Next, divide the avocado into small mounds and place them on a flat surface covered with wax paper. A baking sheet works well for this!
5. Freeze: Freeze the avocado for 2-3 hours until the portions become solid.
6. Store: Store the frozen portions in an airtight container or in the freezer.

Freeze Avocado in Pieces

This method will leave you will avocado pieces great for using in salads, sandwiches, or wherever solid avo is desired.

1. Cut: First, cut the avocado into either slices or cubes.
2. Single Layer Freeze: Place the avocados slices or cubes on a wax paper lined baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze until solid, about 1 hour.
3. Longterm Freeze: Then, transfer the frozen avocado a freezer safe container or baggie to prevent freezer burn. The pieces will stay good in the freezer for 3 to 4 months! When ready to use, simply thaw the pieces and they’ll be ready to eat.

Do avocados turn brown in the freezer?

Though avocados’ nutrients are preserved when frozen, the fruit can sometimes turn slightly mushy or brown. The brown color comes from the oxidation process. To prevent this, you can drizzle a bit of lemon juice on top of the avo prior to freezing!

Can you freeze a whole avocado

Storing entire avocados isn’t ideal, as they don’t tend to thaw as nicely as we’d like. However, if you’re crunched for time or the alternative is to just throw the fruit away… by all means, freeze it!

You can stick a whole avo in the freezer if needed. Just be sure to let it thaw before you try to cut into it. Frozen whole avocados will work well in soups and smoothies.

How To Thaw Frozen Avocado

To thaw frozen avocado, move them to room temp about an hour before you plan on using them (or move to the fridge the night before using them). Use thawed avocado within 2 days, and keep tightly covered to minimize browning.