Should You Be Freezing Avocado?
With its smooth, creamy texture, avocado can be a perfect addition to smoothies, raw soups, puddings, and cakes. Plus, it's a great substitute for butter, spreads, or even mayo. But although keeping avocados fresh is easier than you think, that's not always possible — especially if you buy them in bulk. This tropical fruit has a short shelf life and might not last longer than a few days.
According to Stale by Date, whole avocados can be refrigerated or stored in the pantry for up to one week. Ripe, cut avocados, on the other hand, will last only four days in the fridge. Another option is to freeze these fruits to extend their shelf life to around four months. So, yes, it's okay to freeze avocados, but you need to do it right.
As a side note, there's no need to discard overripe avocados. They may not look great but can be a healthy addition to scrambled eggs, chocolate pudding, pasta sauce, or salad dressings, says HuffPost. You can also combine them with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, or other ingredients and then apply the mixture to your skin and hair. That said, here's how to freeze avocados to make them last longer and reduce food waste.
How to freeze avocados without sacrificing their flavor
Freezing avocados can affect their texture, consistency, and flavor, but it's worth giving it a try. After all, it's still a better option than throwing them away. Plus, you can prevent them from getting mushy after thawing by freezing them whole rather than mashed.
"Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit by gently working a spoon [underneath it]," dietician-nutritionist Amanda Izquierdo told Martha Stewart. Slice the fruits or cut them into small pieces after peeling them. Sprinkle lemon juice over them and use a brush to distribute it evenly; this trick will keep them from turning brown, says Izquierdo. After that, store the fruits in a Ziploc bag, remove the excess air, and put them in the freezer. For best results, use a vacuum sealer to take all the air out of the bag.
If you prefer to freeze mashed avocado, cut it into chunks and then press them with a fork until smooth. Mix in some lemon juice, store the fruits in an airtight container, and place it in the freezer, suggests MasterClass. Alternatively, scoop the mixture into ice cube trays before freezing. Label and date the container or bag and consume the fruits within four to six months, per the National Agency Safety Database. You could also try Welch's pre-chunked frozen avocados to see if you like their taste and texture before "experimenting" on your own.
Why you should think twice before freezing avocados
While it's possible to freeze these fruits, they may not look or taste fresh after thawing. Whole, sliced, or cubed avocados can become mushy, whereas mashed avocados may lose their flavor and get a dry texture. The same goes for frozen guacamole, which won't taste too great. Sarah Jampel, a recipe developer, told Food52 that she tried to freeze avocados, but the result was disappointing, to say the least. Their texture was "mushy, slimy, and spongy," notes Jampel, but even so, you can use them in sauces, dressings, and cream soups.
From a health perspective, frozen avocados are slightly less nutritious than their fresh counterparts. One theory is that freezing may reduce the levels of vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, polyphenols, and other water-soluble nutrients, according to clinical research published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. There's also a risk of browning, or oxidation, but you can prevent it by brushing the fruits with an acidic juice before freezing, notes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Pineapple, lemon, orange, or lime juice will do the trick.
Apart from that, freezing may cause subtle changes in flavor. Therefore, you might not want to use the fruits for avocado toast recipes and raw desserts, but they should still taste good when mixed into guacamole, hummus, vegetarian chili, or cookie dough. Ideally, thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature and use them the same day, recommends MasterClass.