Freeze This Food

Can You Freeze Avocado?

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Illustration of avocado

With caveats. Avocado does not freeze well in slices — they thaw watery, stringy, and brown — but it freezes acceptably as mash or puree, especially with a little lemon or lime juice to hold the colour. Treat frozen avocado as an ingredient for guacamole, dips, and smoothies rather than for slicing, and use it within about 4 to 6 months.

Can you freeze avocado?

Yes — with caveats
How long it keeps frozen
4 to 6 months as pureeA conservative window for this high-fat fruit. Constant 0 °F (−18 °C) storage keeps it safe far beyond the window; what gives out first is the flavour, which turns, and the colour, which darkens.
How to freeze it
  1. Choose ripe, soft avocados; under-ripe ones will not improve in the freezer.
  2. Scoop out the flesh and mash or blend it until smooth.
  3. Stir in about a tablespoon of lemon or lime juice per avocado to slow browning.
  4. Pack the puree into small bags or containers, press out the air, label, and freeze flat.
How to thaw & use
Thaw the puree in the fridge for a few hours, then stir it and use it in guacamole, dressings, or smoothies; do not expect to slice it.
Texture & quality
Avocado's high fat and water content makes whole pieces freeze badly — they go mushy and discolour. As a lemon-spiked puree it holds up far better, though even then the flavour is best in cooked or blended dishes rather than served plain.

More in this group: Freezing fruit

Frequently asked questions

Can you freeze avocado slices?

Not with good results. Slices thaw watery, stringy, and browned because of the fruit's high fat and water content. Mashing or pureeing the avocado before freezing gives a far more usable result for dips and smoothies.

Does lemon juice stop frozen avocado going brown?

It helps. Stirring in lemon or lime juice before freezing slows the enzymatic browning that otherwise darkens the flesh. It will not keep it bright green forever, but it noticeably improves the colour of the thawed puree.

Can you freeze guacamole?

Yes, and it freezes better than plain avocado, because the lime juice and salt in it slow browning. Pack it with the air pressed out and a layer of cling film on the surface, and use it within a few months.

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