How to Keep Avocados Fresh

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 19, 2022 References

Avocados are delicious and healthy, but it can be difficult to keep them fresh. It may seem like they start browning the minute you cut them open. Luckily, there are several ways that you can try to keep your avocados fresh for as long as possible.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Halved Avocados Fresh

1
Store halved avocados with the pit still in. If you’ve eaten half of an avocado and want to save the rest, keep the pit inside the half that you aren’t eating. This should help to keep the exposed avocado from browning, especially in the area where it’s kept in contact with the pit.^{[1]
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2
Brush olive oil onto the avocados (optional). If you only want to use half of an avocado, brush some olive oil onto the exposed edible portion of the avocado. Make sure to coat it completely to protect the avocado from oxidation.^{[2]
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3
Wrap your avocados in plastic wrap. The key to keeping your halved avocados fresh is to prevent them from being exposed to air. Wrap your avocados in a liberal amount of plastic wrap to ensure that they’ll be exposed to a minimal amount of air.^{[3]
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Store the avocados in a container with an onion (optional). There are many different ways you can store your avocados in the refrigerator in order to keep them fresher for longer. However, many people claim to have success when they store them next to onions. Place your avocado in a tupperware container. Then, cut a red onion in half and add it to the container. Put the lid onto the container and refrigerate it.^{[4]
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5
Store your halved avocados in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Storing your halved avocados at warmer temperatures will make them brown and soften quickly, especially because they’re already cut open. Instead, keep them in the fridge so that they stay fresh for as long as possible.^{[5]
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6
Freeze your halved avocados if you want to eat them in a few weeks. If you know you won’t want to eat your halved avocados for a couple of weeks or even a couple of months, you can store them in the freezer so that they’re fresh when you’re ready to eat them. Slice them in half and lay them on a plate with the exposed side facing up. Spray lemon juice onto the entire exposed surface of the avocados and cover the plate with plastic wrap before you put it in the freezer.^{[6]
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- When you’re ready to eat them, move your halved avocados to the refrigerator so that they can thaw out.
- You can also store puréed avocados in the freezer.
- If you freeze your avocados, they may stay fresh for up to 4 or 5 months.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Whole Avocados Fresh

1
Keep your avocados on the counter if you’re eating them soon. If you haven’t cut into your avocados yet and you plan on eating them within 1-2 days, then it may be a good idea to keep them on the counter until you eat them. This will speed up the ripening process.^{[8]
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2
Store your avocados in the refrigerator for 7-10 days. If you don’t plan on eating your whole avocados for several days, it’s best to keep them in the refrigerator. Storing them at a cool temperature will slow down the ripening process and keep them fresh for a little while longer.^{[9]
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3
Submerge the avocados in water if you’re storing them short-term. This is a trick that many chefs utilize. Submerge your avocados in either a bowl, a container, or a plastic bag full of water. While storing your avocados like this in the refrigerator will keep it from browning for up to 48 hours, they may develop a slightly slimy texture if you wait this long to eat them. Instead, try to eat them within 4 hours or so.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Guacamole Fresh

1
Add lime juice to your guacamole. Because it’s an acidic agent, lime juice should help to preserve guacamole for longer. If the recipe doesn’t already call for it, slice 1-2 limes, squeeze the juice into your guacamole, and stir it.^{[11]
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2
Sprinkle chopped onion on top of guacamole. Guacamole recipes typically call for chopped onion. Chop the correct amount, but only mix in ⅔ or ¾ of the total amount. Once you’re done making the guacamole, put it into a bowl and cover the surface of it with the rest of the chopped onion.^{[12]
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3
Top your guacamole with water if your recipe doesn’t include onions. Put your guacamole into an airtight container that has a lid. Push the guacamole down with a utensil to ensure that there are no air pockets. Then, pour ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) of lukewarm water onto the surface of the guacamole.^{[13]
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4
Cover your guacamole with plastic wrap and store it in a container. Put your guacamole in an airtight container. Then, press plastic wrap to the entire surface of the guacamole. This will help to prevent oxidation and the browning that typically comes with it.^{[14]
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5
Keep the guacamole in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Secure the lid onto the container and then put your guacamole in the fridge. Guacamole typically stays fresh in the refrigerator for about 24 hours, but when stored properly using water, onions, or plastic wrap, and an airtight container, it can last for up to 3 days.^{[15]
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