Have you ever found yourself with an abundance of ripe avocados and nothing to do with them?
Me neither… there’s always room for avocados on my menu.
But let’s just say, per chance, that you have a handful or two of ripe avocados and you want to save some of that green goodness for non-peak California Avocado season. By properly freezing them, it’s possible to enjoy California Avocados all year long!
It’s actually quite simple to do.
Whole, sliced, diced, or mashed avocado are not very desirable when frozen. The best way to preserve and freeze an avocado is in a pureed form.
Pureed avocados are perfect in guacamole dips, dressings, or even spread on sandwiches.
All you need are the ripe avocados, some limes, and a food processor or blender.
Speaking of avocados… have you entered your California Avocado recipe into the California Avocado Cinco de Mayo Recipe Fiesta Giveaway yet? I’m giving away over $800 in cash and prizes on my site, and Rachel from A Southern Fairytale is giving away over $800 in cash and prizes too!
The contest ends May 8th, so hurry up and submit your recipes before you miss out!
Once you have pureed your avocados with some lime juice, scoop the puree into a zip close bag. The easiest way to do this when you’re all by yourself is by putting the bag inside of a big cup and folding the top of the bag over the lip of the cup.
It’s like having a second pair of hands!
If only the cup did dishes too…
If you’re not a huge fan of lime with your avocados, try using lemon juice instead.
I’m going to share a fantastic recipe using some pureed avocados later this week, so make sure to check back for that!
How to Properly Freeze an Avocado
Ingredients
- California Avocados
- 1 tbsp lime, or lemon juice per avocado
- Food Processor or Blender
Instructions
- Cut and peel the ripe avocados and place them in the work bowl of your food processor.
- Add 1 tbsp of lime or lemon juice per avocado being processed.
- Puree until smooth to ensure the acidic agent has been evenly distributed throughout the avocados.
- Scoop into a zip close bag and freeze flat. (I freeze them flat, so then I can stack them vertically, side by side, once they are hard.)
- Use the frozen avocado within 4 to 5 months.
Quick Parmesan and Herb Biscuits
Anita
I freeze avocadoes in chunks in bags and then include them in a blended (high speed blender) raw chocolate mousse- frozen banana, frozen avocado, raw organic cacao powder and some honey- yum!!! The avocado makes it so creamy!
Jaime Peppler
I thought that maybe instead of breaking off chunks of it when you need it, pipe it into ice cube trays to freeze. Then pop out and toss in a ziplock once frozen. I did the same thing with homemade baby food. Also, I used to work at a catering place that bought frozen avocado halves. They were Ok when they thawed. Has anyone ever tried flash freezing them at home?
Audra
Enjoying your stories and loving your recipes. Glad I found your website. Haven’t had a chance to try any yet. A big thanks to Pat for sharing her wonderful recipes.
Cheryn
Then why bother to freeze it, because why would you want avocado puree?
Shawn
Freezing is a great way to preserve any ripe avocados that you aren’t able to consume right away. Avocado puree is great in dips, spreads, and dressings! It’s perfect for enjoying California Avocados all year long (as their growing season is coming to an end soon). 🙂
estelle
JUST REALIZED AFTER MY LAST POST, ABOUT THE AVOCADO PIT MIGHT SLIP IF WE TRY SLICE IT. THE PIT HAS TWO HALVES, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, SO TAKE OFF THE OUTER SKIN OF THE PIT AND SEPARATE THE HALVES, SO YOU CAN PUT THE FLAT SIDE ON CUTTING BOARD, THEN SLICE IT. ITS MORE STABLE THIS WAY. ITS JUST AN IDEA. I HAVENT TRIED IT YET. WOULD LIKE FEEDBACK IF YOU TRY IT. I WONDER IF IT WOULD WORK. THANKS. GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE. AVOCADOS ARE GOOD AND HEALTHY. HAVE MONOUNSATURATED OIL..GOOD FOR OUR HEARTS AND MORE.
estelle
Thanks for this freezing tip. Didnt know it was possible. Maybe we could add salsa in the frozen avocado??? And how long does it take to thaw?… in the fridge or at room temp? If it’s stored flat, the pit wont fit!!! maybe slice a piece of pit to put in flat plastic bag???? (IF WE HAVE A KNIFE SHARP ENOUGH) (CAREFUL..IT MAY SLIP AND CUT YOUR FINGERS.) What do you think?? thanks much, Estelle
Shawn
Hi Estelle! Freezing the avocado the method listed above is best because it preserves the avocado without having to use the pit. Adding salsa would not give it a good texture due to the water consistency in the tomatoes. PLEASE do NOT try cutting the pit into slices, I feel like that would be very dangerous for the reasons you mentioned. 🙂 As for how to thaw it, I usually break off a piece and thaw it on the counter for a rapid thaw, but it can be defrosted overnight in your refrigerator as well.
meranda@fairytalesadfitness
So glad I came across your site! We love avocados and will definitely be trying this! Thanks for sharing!
Melissa
Hey, Shawn! This is your old Waddell neighbor. I was thinking of you the other day when I once again benefited from your generous gift of all the kids clothes. Then today my husband’s aunt in CA shared a link to this blog post. Isnt that crazy?? Such a small world!
Shawn
Hey Melissa!! So good to hear from you again!! 🙂 Thanks for thinking of me, hope you and those kids are doing well! 🙂
Tonia
Thank for the good info. I’m wondering when you’re ready to eat it once unthawed will it be watery? And do you leave it out to unthaw in tgw fridge? Thanks for your input!
Ashley
Is there a special way to defrost? in the fridge or or microwave?
Barb
Shawn – do you have to use it all at once? Or do you break of pieces when you want to use it for a dressing, etc. I have eaten avocados for years and I have never known this. Would have saved me alot of money this summer. 🙂
Shawn
Hi Barb, yes! I just break off a little bit when I want to use it, then throw the rest back in the freezer for later. 🙂
Lexa
Awesome! It has only been about a year since I started eating avocados and I’m addicted. Thank you! I had no idea I could freeze them like this.
Shawn
Yay for being introduced to avocados!! They are so yummy and definitely a staple in our house! 🙂
Nadine
Can’t thank you enough for the avocado freezing tip. I am a senior on a Very Small income …can barely afford avocado and certainly cannot afford to waste. Thank you!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
Easy peezy avocado squeezee…You’re so smart 😉
Shawn
Thanks Gerry! 😉
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective
What a great tip, Shawn! Thanks! 🙂
Gramajudi
I love avocados and really don’t like to waste anything. I was born in 1933 and it is like a built in characteristic of mine.
Thank you for the info on freezing avocados. I had no idea that could be done.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I needed this post Shawn!!!! Thank you!
Shawn
So happy to help! 🙂
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
I love this! I always cringe when I have to throw avocados away!
Shawn
Me too Stephanie, nothing is more sad then tossing an avocado. Glad I could be of some help!
Het
Thanks for the lovely tip- I live in a country where all avocadoes are imported. I have realised that even after putting enough lime juice – the colour of the pureed/ mashed avocado changed( murky brown) in a few days. The next time I left one whole avocado seed in the puree to be frozen and bingo! the green colour was as fresh as ever. Btw there were some chunks also in the semi-mashed avocado and they were just fine. I hope this helps.. The tip about leaving the seed of avocado – I had read it online on one of the avocado sites only- not my original idea 😉
Shawn
If I ever end up using just a half of an avocado I keep the pit in the other half in the fridge so it stays fresh. Putting the pits in guacamole is a great way to keep it fresh too! Also- instead of just covering your guacamole with a lid, place plastic wrap right on top of the guac, that will help it to last up to 3 days longer! 🙂
Cheryl Clair
Het, I also live in a country where all avocados are imported (Ireland). Thanks for the tip on putting the seed back in the pureed avocado. I knew to leave it in when it’s fresh and I only need half, but hadn’t thought about it when freezing. Thanks.
Tony Lamb
I do the same thing when we make a dip .. It keeps the Avocado great and fresh looking. while in the fridge
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
I had no idea it could be frozen, awesome! I wonder if chunks could be frozen too?
Shawn
Chunks don’t turn out very well because the lime does not get incorporated all the way through. For best results, you will want to purée it. 🙂
Cookbook Queen
I always buy WAAAY too many avocados and they get ripe before we can eat them all!! This is perfect!!
Shawn
Thanks Kristan, glad I could help you save some avocados! 🙂
bob
You can freeze them but they will thaw mushy.