Avocados. I love them. A lot.
And by alot, I mean they could be my favorite food.
I often only use half of an avocado for my salad…or for the kids. But I don’t want the other half to brown, while I wait to use the rest up the next day.
3 Tips to Keep Avocados from Browning
1. Run them under cold, cold water (or plunge them into an ice bath).
2. Put the “lid” back onto the avocado half that has not been used yet.
3. Drizzle lemon or lime juice onto, or mixed in with the mashed avocado.
What have you found that works for keeping avocados from browning?!
Jenni says
Eating them keeps them from getting brown 🙂 Can you really restrain yourself from eating the whole thing?
On a serious note, lemon juice works and, if you are using it ina guacamole and don’t want the whole thing to turn brown, leave the pit in the mix.
Mollie Murillo says
Never thought of that! Will try!
Nicole says
Lime juice also!!!
Amy says
Brushing the green surface with a bit of olive oil and placing that side down on a plate or bowl helps keep it pretty. For guacamole, I press cling wrap to the surface of the guac before I put the lid on the bowl.
Trinity says
This also works for me! Better than the lemon juice.
Mindy DiSarro says
I also use plastic wrap, actually Press & Seal, on the unused 1/2, smoothing it to surface & down into pit pocket, then back up & around the rest of skin to make a complete seal which keeps the air out. Works better for me than lemon/lime juice incase I don’t want that flavor on whatever I use it for later.
AlysonRR says
I leave in the pit, sprinkle FruitFresh on the flesh, then press plastic wrap or Glad Press ‘n Seal tightly over it, pulling tightly around the entire half to ensure little air comes through.
I’ve heard you can seal half an avocado (or mashed avocado) in a FoodSaver bag, but I haven’t tried it – I save those for longer term food storage. And while I have the willpower to save half an avocado, my limit is 24 hours!
Cheryl M says
My FIL brushes the leftover half with lemon juice & he taught me to put the pit in after mashing them up to keep the guacamole from turning brown; 1 pit for every 2 avocados. & I also cover the surface with plastic wrap so no air can touch it
& I agree with Jenni how can anyone restarin themselves & leave 1/2 an avocado ??
Diane Buell says
Putting pit in the guac is a myth but still do that best thing to do is plastic wrap pushed all around the avacado or guac works well, will try other suggestions, the oil sounds reasonable.
Lorettta Rizzo says
It’s hard to keep avocados in our house because I love them so much, as do my children. I will definitely remember your tips though. I was told to squirt a little lemon on them to keep them from browning but haven’t had to do that yet either LOL
Jessi @ Quirky Cookery says
Wait a minute. People can actually manage to have leftover avocado to save? I’m possible! Good tip, though, hehe.
Marcelo says
Take the pit out of the avocado and place in a cup covered with water. Place the cup next to the avocado.
Had the first “half” this morning at 8:30 am with breakfast (I use mashed avocado with a little oil and salt as a butter substitute). Got home 9 hours later and had the other half as a snack. No browning at all.
Old chilean trick.
sara says
Hard for me to visualize your recommendation. Any chance of snapping a photo and posting it? Also which oil do you mash in for your butter substitute?
Kelly says
Brush unused portion w/ lemon or lime juice. Just like with apples, the acidity of the juice keeps it from browning.
Sonya Mallon says
Leave the pit in and wrap with tin foil
caro says
the best thing that has worked for me is putting lemon juice on the side that is going to be put a way,and keep the seed on it!
Judy Mason says
If I had to make a choice of only one food. It would be avocado.
Khump says
If you are going to use the other half the next day, submerging the unused half in water and keeping it there until the next day works. I would not use this method though if you are wanting to keep it for a few days. The flesh becomes really mushy and no good. Hope this helps!
P.S. use cold water when submerging it 😉
Jenna says
I put mine in Tupperware Clearmates containers and put in the fridge and it works amazingly, no dry or brown edges. They are great for not letting half a tomato dry up too.
jenny says
I find wrapping it up a few layers in cling wrap and putting it in a ziploc freezer bag and putting it n the freezer helps it stay the same good green color instead of nasty brown
jenny says
I find wrapping it up a few layers in cling wrap and putting it in a ziploc freezer bag and putting it n the freezer helps it stay the same good green color
Stargazer says
Spritz with a puff of olive oil spray, then cover with plastic wrap.
Phyllis says
Seal in food saver bag
Chart says
leave pit in and store in a closed container with a chunk of an onion! works
Cindy Jones says
Maybe make 1/2 recipe of chocolate mousse: Pass the half avocado through a fine sieve, add 1 oz (1/8 cup) cocoa powder, 1 oz brown sugar, 1 oz milk (soy, rice, oatmeal if vegan). Stir and chill.