For all the avocado lovers out there who have ever pondered “I wonder if you can freeze avocado…” the answer is yes!!! Learn how to freeze avocado, so it’s easy to add this healthy food to your dinners, breakfasts, snacks and smoothies anytime!
Do you love avocados? I seriously love them. I could eat an avocado a day and never get sick of them. But they are so expensive now where I live!
It used to be that you could pick up an avocado for around $1, which seemed reasonable enough to me. But for the past few years they’ve been climbing in price. Now I’m not shocked (although I am always sad) to see avocados with a $2.29 sticker, or even $2.50!!!
Not to mention the fact that sometimes I really want avocado for whatever I’m making, only to find a bunch of rock-hard lumps at the grocery store when I arrive.
Related:
Stock Your Freezer
Once in a while, though, I’ll stumble upon an amazing sale on avocados. A few years ago my local grocery store was selling bags of five (5!!!) for $2.50. I nearly fainted when I saw the ad and actually thought it had to be a mistake, but no! It was true!
Even though such extreme sales don’t come up very often, I will happily pick up a bag of avocadoes for $5. Sometimes we eat them all fresh, but sometimes they get overlooked in the hustle and bustle of life. But the last thing I want is to let them rot.
All of which, naturally, launched me on a quest to discover, can you preserve avocados? Can you freeze avocados for later?
Yes. You can.
Here’s how.
How to Freeze Avocado (it’s really easy)
You’ll need ripe avocados and either lime or lemon. While lemon is good with avocado, I really love lime as a complimentary flavor, so that’s what I use when I have it.
Juice your lime, using whatever method you like (did you know that if you microwave it for 15 seconds it will yield more juice?).
Slice your avocado in half and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Get rid of the pit. Use a fork to mash the avocado and 1 tablespoon of lime juice together until it’s well-mixed.
Scoop the avocado-lime mixture into a small zip-top bag. I like to divide it in two so that I can easily pull out a smaller amount (around 1/2 an avocado) any time I want – or use the whole bag for a larger amount. I just use the side of my hand to divide it, karate chop style (haha). Lay flat in the freezer until it’s frozen.
If I’m freezing a bunch of avocados I’ll store the individual bags in a large freezer bag so they last longer. But if I’m just doing the odd avocado or two I just leave them in the little sandwich bags. I’ve eaten them after a few months and they’re still perfect!
How to Thaw Frozen Avocado
This frozen avocado is perfect as a side for nachos, spread on a sandwich, wrap, burger or avocado toast, dolloped on your plate with an omelette or breakfast skillet, or eaten on crackers.
You can thaw it in the fridge, on the counter (it shouldn’t take too long – maybe 30 minutes) or even in the microwave on defrost (start with small time increments).
I always add a bit of salt to it (because, yum!). Sometimes I’ll add red chili flakes and a little olive oil, sometimes some garlic, chopped tomato and cilantro. But often just the salt and even a fresh squeeze of lime juice.
Enjoy! 🙂
Angela Tulloh says
So glad to know this, wonderful information. I will not waste any more avocados.
Also, love the freezing of mushrooms, did not know this either!!
Great freezing info.
Angela
Myra says
Thank you Angela! We’re so glad you found it helpful!:)
Paula Dubeski says
Would it be possible to do this in small jars some how? I like to avoid plastic whenever possible. Wondering how best to exclude the air if so, or would the discolouration at the top be minimal with enough lemon juice. Sobeys has 2 kgs of avocados for $8.99 Canadian right now!
Myra says
Hi Paula! Wow! That’s an incredible deal here in Canada! I may have to check that out myself 🙂 I think you could try the smallest size mason jars (125 ml). They are freezer safe and we freeze many things in them. Make sure you leave space at the top (probably at least a centimeter or two) for the food to expand during freezing. I don’t think the discolouration would be too bad, but if you’re concerned you could try a pouring a very thin layer of olive oil on the top of a couple to test it out. If you end up trying the glass jars please come back and let us know! I’d love to try it too! 🙂
Adele says
Love this!!!! I’ve had to throw out so many avocados in the past!
Myra says
I know! It definitely helps me not waste as many. Avocados are my fave! 🙂