Avocado
I Learned the Hard Way That You Can't Actually Freeze Avocados
If you've ever wondered, "Can you freeze avocados?" please read this cautionary tale.
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70 Comments
Alexandra A.
March 20, 2024
Hello you all
I live in Portugal and i buy deepfreeze avocado all the time at my local grocer when can't find fresh. At home deepfreeze Fast😘
I live in Portugal and i buy deepfreeze avocado all the time at my local grocer when can't find fresh. At home deepfreeze Fast😘
JJ W.
September 5, 2022
I’m another successful avocado freezer, and I’m extremely kitchen challenged. My freezer is usually around 5 degrees Fahrenheit when working right.
I just mash the avocados with some lemon juice and then put about half a Haas avocado’s worth in a zip snack or sandwich bag and flatten them out to the edges of the bag (can help get rid of air if you wait until done to completely seal the zip). Then seal the bag and freeze flat horizontally. Once frozen you can also stack them vertically. Thawing a package doesn’t take long while preparing the rest of your meal, just set on the counter for a short time. If impatient, I have just broken off still-frozen chunks to eat or to put directly on crackers.
When I can’t pick out my own avocados and don’t trust other shoppers, a satisfactory substitute is to get frozen diced avocados. For example, Kroger’s have them in 1 lb bags. They have lemon juice and some other ingredients added to them. I do weigh them out in eight 2-ounce zip snack bags and after filling the bags and sealing them, I spread them out in one layer inside the bag with my fingers as I do when freezing fresh blueberries, cherries, sliced strawberries or bananas, etc. Try to freeze them horizontally at least initially so they stay spread out, in case they have thawed a little while transporting and processing them. This prevents them freezing together in one big clump. They don’t thaw as quickly as my thin layers of mash, but they get to the edible stage and even can be sliced in half soon enough for me just on the counter while I’m getting other food together or fighting off the cats. I either eat them by themselves or pile them on crackers or chips. If you like them on salads, it would be easy to just add them as-is, just give them enough time to thaw a bit before diving into the greens.
I ran into a hidden stack of my mashed avocado in zip sandwich bags (which make a very thin layer) that might have been in the freezer for a year or so (had missed my yearly opportunity for defrosting the upright freezer). They were still fine to eat. They may have been a little darker in a few spots than usual when you eat them up in a sensible time frame, but I’m not that fussy.
A more expensive alternative is to get those 2-ounce sealed little cups of mashed avocado, plain or with the Everything seasoning added. Kroger has those from Simple Truth; there are other brands. The little cups can be successfully frozen, I just opened up one frozen a few months ago and was able to start scraping off avocado with a cracker pretty quickly. Usually I just take a frozen little cup and set it in the refrigerator overnight, that works also.
Don’t know why you had such trouble with yours, maybe you didn’t add enough lemon juice? Or your freezer is set too high? Or you left it out on a counter to thaw too long? It should have worked just tossed into a bag like that, others have certainly frozen several avocados mashed together on a single much bigger bag before, but you need to thaw them in the refrigerator for that (unlike my avocado sheets). Never tried freezing halves or while, but definitely others have done it. The instructions I followed for mashed avocado was to just add lemon juice and not something like tomatoes, which would make them too watery. So if you want to make guacamole, wait until they are thawed to add the other ingredients.
I just mash the avocados with some lemon juice and then put about half a Haas avocado’s worth in a zip snack or sandwich bag and flatten them out to the edges of the bag (can help get rid of air if you wait until done to completely seal the zip). Then seal the bag and freeze flat horizontally. Once frozen you can also stack them vertically. Thawing a package doesn’t take long while preparing the rest of your meal, just set on the counter for a short time. If impatient, I have just broken off still-frozen chunks to eat or to put directly on crackers.
When I can’t pick out my own avocados and don’t trust other shoppers, a satisfactory substitute is to get frozen diced avocados. For example, Kroger’s have them in 1 lb bags. They have lemon juice and some other ingredients added to them. I do weigh them out in eight 2-ounce zip snack bags and after filling the bags and sealing them, I spread them out in one layer inside the bag with my fingers as I do when freezing fresh blueberries, cherries, sliced strawberries or bananas, etc. Try to freeze them horizontally at least initially so they stay spread out, in case they have thawed a little while transporting and processing them. This prevents them freezing together in one big clump. They don’t thaw as quickly as my thin layers of mash, but they get to the edible stage and even can be sliced in half soon enough for me just on the counter while I’m getting other food together or fighting off the cats. I either eat them by themselves or pile them on crackers or chips. If you like them on salads, it would be easy to just add them as-is, just give them enough time to thaw a bit before diving into the greens.
I ran into a hidden stack of my mashed avocado in zip sandwich bags (which make a very thin layer) that might have been in the freezer for a year or so (had missed my yearly opportunity for defrosting the upright freezer). They were still fine to eat. They may have been a little darker in a few spots than usual when you eat them up in a sensible time frame, but I’m not that fussy.
A more expensive alternative is to get those 2-ounce sealed little cups of mashed avocado, plain or with the Everything seasoning added. Kroger has those from Simple Truth; there are other brands. The little cups can be successfully frozen, I just opened up one frozen a few months ago and was able to start scraping off avocado with a cracker pretty quickly. Usually I just take a frozen little cup and set it in the refrigerator overnight, that works also.
Don’t know why you had such trouble with yours, maybe you didn’t add enough lemon juice? Or your freezer is set too high? Or you left it out on a counter to thaw too long? It should have worked just tossed into a bag like that, others have certainly frozen several avocados mashed together on a single much bigger bag before, but you need to thaw them in the refrigerator for that (unlike my avocado sheets). Never tried freezing halves or while, but definitely others have done it. The instructions I followed for mashed avocado was to just add lemon juice and not something like tomatoes, which would make them too watery. So if you want to make guacamole, wait until they are thawed to add the other ingredients.
Food52Mel
September 1, 2022
I have success for smoothies.
I just don't do it often because it's extremely hard to hit the right day for cutting and preserving them in bulk and I hate throwing them out when they brown, even while I think I'm being vigilant.
Step 1. Put avocado pulp into something that's going to make step 2 easiest.
Step 2. With a potato masher, mash all those pieces up into a semi-smooth, but still slightly lump consistency. This is my preference because it's easy not because it can't be blended or something.
Step 3. Take some lemon juice and shake it a few times over the avocado mash and stir it in.
Step 4. Get some ice cube trays and fill them with the avocado mush and freeze them.
Step 5. Once frozen, put in a gallon sized baggie for use in smoothies.
I usually take all my frozen stuff outta the freezer for smoothies and let it thaw some in the mason jar I am gonna blend it in.
I just don't do it often because it's extremely hard to hit the right day for cutting and preserving them in bulk and I hate throwing them out when they brown, even while I think I'm being vigilant.
Step 1. Put avocado pulp into something that's going to make step 2 easiest.
Step 2. With a potato masher, mash all those pieces up into a semi-smooth, but still slightly lump consistency. This is my preference because it's easy not because it can't be blended or something.
Step 3. Take some lemon juice and shake it a few times over the avocado mash and stir it in.
Step 4. Get some ice cube trays and fill them with the avocado mush and freeze them.
Step 5. Once frozen, put in a gallon sized baggie for use in smoothies.
I usually take all my frozen stuff outta the freezer for smoothies and let it thaw some in the mason jar I am gonna blend it in.
Allie.cat
April 16, 2022
Try it without cutting them in half first and then defrost them after freezing :) the oxidation going to ruin the avocado no matter how you try to seal it
Chris H.
February 17, 2022
I make what is called Taco Shop Guacamole and freeze it in a silicon ice cube tray. Freezes and thaws out perfectly. I've been doing this for years with great success. The beauty of the cubes is you can easily pull out just a handful for Taco Night and leave the remainder for another meals
Gurleygirl
December 2, 2021
Even though I froze them ripe, thawed them in the refrigerator and they looked good; the flavor was different!
cookinalong
August 8, 2021
In literally seconds of googling, I found this https://californiaavocado.com/how-to/how-to-freeze-california-avocados/. In less time than it took the writer to pen this inaccurate post, not to mention the wasted avocados, she could have done a bit of research. I'll save you a bit of time following the URL. According to the California Avocado Commission, you most definitely CAN freeze avocados. The website gives clear, complete info about how to do so. I expect better from the NYT. Food52 isn't some one person amateur blog.
erunuevo
May 8, 2021
I'm gonna stop you right there..... frozen avocado has saved me MANY times! When all I can find are hard avocados and I need them asap ( I like them as a spread/dip so....mushy) I freeze them whole. When they thaw the cell walls will have been pierced by ice crystals and they will be soft. Is it perfectly green? Maybe not. I don't really notice. It tastes good.
Michelle A.
May 5, 2021
I freeze avocados all the time - I do cut them into chunks and add lime juice. They’re ok on toast or for guac, but in all honesty if I have a good fresh one, that’s my preference. I mostly use my frozen avos for my morning green smoothie though, it’s absolutely perfect for that.
Angela H.
May 28, 2020
I just finished a previously frozen avocado on a bagel and it was perfect!
I think it depends on the state your avocado was in when you freeze it, as I've seen too many rotten avocados when i cut them fresh. Obviously those ones, would freeze as rotten.
If you happen on a good bunch, then i recommend freezing a few whole. Let it defrost for an hr before consuming and it'll be perfect!
I think it depends on the state your avocado was in when you freeze it, as I've seen too many rotten avocados when i cut them fresh. Obviously those ones, would freeze as rotten.
If you happen on a good bunch, then i recommend freezing a few whole. Let it defrost for an hr before consuming and it'll be perfect!
Corbbin G.
September 13, 2020
You're just teasing us here at this point. What is your secret? How ripe must an avocado be? What other ingredients did you add?
Jana E.
February 4, 2020
I don't know that I'd freeze an avocado and try to use it in something like guac or on toast, but I freeze mine for sauces and they blend in great - same creamy effect.
Naschol
June 10, 2019
I just toss them in my freezer whole and they thaw beautifully for guac. I have done this in both my regular and my frost-free freezer and they both work.
Jin J.
April 3, 2019
I have tried freezing the avocado in a laboratory freezer at-25 degree Celsius. And it can out just as it went in. Thawing took over 1 hours in 74 degree Fahrenheit and the tasted did not change at all. In fact, I did not used any lemon juice or citric acid.
I think you can do the same with dry ice at home. Or if you have access to liquid nitrogen perhaps that will be better.
I think you can do the same with dry ice at home. Or if you have access to liquid nitrogen perhaps that will be better.
Lauren N.
May 10, 2019
Yes, I think this is the way to do it as well. I'm going to attempt putting mine in the -80 and see how that goes.
Monica Y.
March 26, 2019
The reason you failed and others haven't is because of the time it takes for your particular freezer to freeze food. All freezing isn't the same. If a food's temperature is lowered slowly so that eventually it becomes frozen, this creates larger ice crystals and those particles distort the texture of your food. It's more noticeable in something soft like an avocado. If the food is flash frozen (frozen very quickly like the people in that movie Day After Tomorrow), the ice crystals are small enough to not distort the texture of the food. That's why commercially frozen food is always better than the stuff you freeze in your refrigerator's freezer. If you have a deep freezer, try putting them in the bottom of that. If your freezer has a power freeze option, try using that to speed up the time it takes to freeze the avocados. I haven't tried freezing them myself, but I know a little about commercially frozen food.
Lura
July 18, 2018
Did anyone experience bowel problems after eating a thawed avocado in a smoothie?
Taylor M.
July 17, 2018
You went wrong with a couple different things; not using lemon juice, not taking out the seed and not peeling the avocado. I'm not sure why but in my experience the avocado peel and seed just make for a disaster is the freezer. Peel and seed the avocado and then brush with a little lemon juice, make sure there is ZERO air in the bag when freezing (I crumple up some plastic wrap and put it in the divets where the seed was and it works great) and you'll do great! I use frozen avocados in guacamole and other recipes, I do not like avocado plain so I have never tried a frozen avocado plain before, so I can not tell you how it tastes but in the recipes I taste little to no difference. Hope this helps!
Smaug
February 4, 2020
The pit may act as a heat sink and slow the freezing of the fruit considerably, particularly near the pit (see Monica Y's comments above). At $2 a pop, I don't have avocados to experiment with.
susanrtw
January 14, 2018
I have had success mashing the avocados, putting them in a plastic tupperware type container and squeezing some lemon or lime on top, then a layer of plastic wrap touching the pulp, before the top of the container. When defrosted they do make great guacamole..
Terry M.
January 12, 2018
I never believed the "freeze avocados" hype. However, what I have discovered is that once they are ripe--not over-ripe, but perfectly ripe--you can put them in the refrigerator, whole and uncut, and they will keep in very good condition for days and days and days. Eventually they go the way of all uneaten avocados but I have been extremely surprised and pleased with how long they keep in the fridge.
Sssss
January 11, 2018
I just bought some from the frozen department in my local supermarket. (I'm from the UK) So much cheaper than buying individually. I'm going to use them in smoothies. They look divine even in their frozen state, bright gorgeous avocado green. Made and packaged by Tesco.
Sssss
January 11, 2018
Forgot to say that they are sliced and no other ingredients are used. Don't know how they do it other than industrial super duper freezing machinery and maybe a designer cultivated avocado that is freezable.
Adriana
July 29, 2023
I was talking to a frozen guacamole producer at a trade show about thier process. They subject the pulp to extreme hydrostatic pressure which somehow inhibits browning. Very natural!
Frank
January 11, 2018
I was going to comment until I read the comment I made on here 1 year ago. I still use the same method and it still works perfectly. And now I will go get that bag and make some more toast with avocado on it.
Marika V.
October 9, 2017
we have 2 avocado trees in our garden (in Brazil) and I had my kids process buckets full of them with sugar and lemon juice, we put that smoothie like mash in portions in freezer bags. Unfortunately after thawing consistency was slimy and the stuff tasted horrible. I had hoped to freeze the in chuncks but after reading the comments think I will put some in the fridge.
Food52Mel
September 1, 2022
I mash them and put them in ice cube trays to make ice cubes. Then I put those in a gallon bag and they go great in smoothies
Eva
May 14, 2017
i blend mine with lemon or limejuice and freeze in small cups as icecream replacement in summer.nice!
Stanley
May 12, 2017
I found by accident to do this, and it works! : After trying and trying to buy organic just right avocados, I now buy he very hardest regular avocados and put them in the fridge right away. Cold, they do not turn brown, are ripe enough to be perfect when eaten. i can cut half and save the other half with only a skim the top clean up. Lemon would no doubt avoid that. It works perfectly, they're ready and clean clear through. Delicious.
Suzanne
Suzanne
Maria
May 12, 2017
Frozen avocado textured sounded revolting :))) Thanks for averting us from tryingbut!
j
May 12, 2017
I always freeze my avocados . They are never brown when then defrost. You have to take them out of the shell and flash freeze first for about 2 hours and then put them in a freezer bag. Thats it. You take out individuals halves and use what you need. Its terrific. .
Alison
May 12, 2017
I freeze them and blend in smoothies. It adds a creamy texture that's really nice, but I wouldn't ever try to unthaw and use in that format. Ew.
Logan G.
January 18, 2017
I froze avocados once, when I stoked up when they were on sale and actually couldn't consume in time :/ To freeze: (1) remove peel and pit (2) slather each half in lime juice (3) thoroughly wrap in plastic wrap and then in freezer zip-lock (4) remove all air and freeze (5) enjoy as avocado spread on toast or even guacamole. The texture changes completely and the taste is a tad different, which is why it is best used as a spread.
Bee K.
January 15, 2017
After purchasing frozen avocado chunks from the grocery store. I was thinking of trying it myself. There is some interesting advice in the comments that I will try as I find this product - although quite good, to be a little on the expensive side. http://www.presidentschoice.ca/en_CA/products/productlisting/pc-avocado-chunks.html
[email protected]
January 15, 2017
I freeze avocados and they work just fine. I peel, discard peels and pit, slice, and then freeze in plastic bags. I freeze some in chunks so I can eat them frozen, but still creamy. I thaw in the plastic bag placed in a bowl full of cold water then make guacamole.
Food52Mel
September 1, 2022
I like freezing blueberries, which they can just pop right in the freezer with no issues or prep, other than rinsing, and eating them frozen, never thought I might like frozen avocado chunks frozen!
kantcould
January 15, 2017
Freeze, no. Refrigerate, yes. I've found that if I let avocados ripen just to the point of good eating then place them in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator, they will maintain that point of ripeness for several days -- even a couple of weeks.. Once they are sliced or peeled, that's it.
Natalie H.
January 15, 2017
I agree. I also bought a bag of beautiful looking frozen avos and thawed them properly. To my dismay, they were a waxy, flavorless, mushy blob. In the trash can they went!
Jose J.
January 15, 2017
Yap. This is how my frozen avocados turned out. But since I was just going to use them for smoothies, it was ok for me.
Nancy
January 15, 2017
I freeze avocados and bananas all the time. I bring them home from the store and stick them in the freezer. That's it. Just as they are, whole and unpeeled. I do buy all of my bananas while still green, if that makes a difference, but they both get frozen as is and there's never been a problem.
kaitlin
January 15, 2017
If they weren't good on their own, stick a half in the next smoothie you make! Adds a yummy creaminess to them and some healthy fats!
Frank
January 15, 2017
I love avocados, but I am also cheap. When they go on sale I buy bags full of hard ones. I let them sit out just until they are slightly giving by a squeeze. Then some I chop some, but most I mash. I put them in gallon freezer bags with a fair amount of lemon or lime juice. Then I suck out the air with my trusty straw (cheap sealameal) and freeze flat. The real trick I use is to only fill the bags about an inch thick. Then when I want some avocado for toast or burger or gauc, I let the bag sit on the counter for a few minutes to slightly soften, slide what I want out of the bag, put it at the edge of the counter, whack off a frozen piece and put the rest of the bag back in the freezer. Has worked for me for years. The real trick , as I see it, is to use it as quickly as you can. I've tried the same method with halves, but not had the same results. If you fold the side a little when you freeze the bag, the brick of avocado will be slightly smaller then the bag, which eases removal of the part you want. Think I just convinced myself to have some on toast right now on this freezing Midwest morning.
Adam J.
January 12, 2017
Those avocados look so sad! Can you try freeze drying them for your next project?
Sam1148
January 12, 2017
What? You didn't include lemon juice? That's kinda the vital part of the process here. I store mine in the fridge cut after a dip in citric acid solution. They'll last cut in the fridge almost a week.
Sarah J.
January 12, 2017
I do worry my lemon juice negligence affected the color, but what about the texture, which was the real problem?
Sam1148
January 12, 2017
I think the goal of freezing them isn't to have nice firm avocados like freash but to have to guac consistency stuff. If you're looking just to store them a bit longer get some citric acid and dip them put them in the 'fridge. Also it's nice to have citric acid on hand. It's a good cleaner, used to keep down mold and bacteria when you grow sprouts in a jar, And you can make your own Alka-selzter with it. I use as a all purpose veggie rinse..and it prolongs the life of every thing rinsed in it. It's a natural product..made from fruit.
Christie T.
January 11, 2017
Years ago trade joes used to sell frozen avocados and it was fantastic. They were without peel- I think it's like how bananas can't be frozen in their peel bc they turn out gross.
Jennifer S.
January 10, 2017
I vacuum seal my avocados and they stay good in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Jennifer S.
January 12, 2017
Yeah. I love that thing. Keeps my produce fresh longer and allows me to prep food further in advance. I also use it to freeze berries and meat which works beautifully.
dw
May 25, 2017
I just used a food saver for an avocado and it tasted awful. i was so hoping this was the fix to not wasting perfectly good avocado. The avocado had a fermented taste. I couldn't imagine why. The first one I tried, I left on the counter, sealed the half that still had a pit. After a few days the plastic began coming away from the avocado. So the next time I scooped out the avocado before vacuum sealing and put it in the fridge. I thought it was a success since there was no air pocket. But the avocado tasted awful.
JJ W.
September 5, 2022
Definitely don’t try to just seal them in plastic unpeeled or as a cut half and then leave them out at room temperature. They have already been subjected to major temperature fluctuations on their trip to and from the store. The plastic seal only keeps out oxygen from the air. Undesirable chemical reactions can still occur inside the avocado after you have opened it up for processing. Chemist’s rule of thumb: the rate of room-temperature chemical reactions about doubles for every ten degrees Celsius (about 18 degrees Fahrenheit) in temperature rise.
You also don’t know how long those avocados have been off the tree. It’s a royal pain trying to figure out if fruit and veg are really any good these days, because they can be treated to look better than they are. Just walking past a cashier tends to be a catalyst for spoilage....
You also don’t know how long those avocados have been off the tree. It’s a royal pain trying to figure out if fruit and veg are really any good these days, because they can be treated to look better than they are. Just walking past a cashier tends to be a catalyst for spoilage....
Erin F.
January 10, 2017
I froze them for my baby. I would just slice em up, put them on a foil lined sheet flash freeze then put in a freezer bag. Would defros in baby food in the microwave it was pretty mushy but good consistency for my 6 mo. Actually stayed pretty green.
Becky S.
January 10, 2017
I used to puree and freeze avocado for baby food. It wasn't fabulous, but my baby ate it and it was perfect for that circumstance when all you need is a tablespoon or so. I would definitely not have used the puree for anything else except maybe a smoothie (Good call, Elizabeth!)
caninechef
January 10, 2017
Thanks for conducting this experiment for me! As they say, if it sounds to good to be true it probably isn't. I do find purchasing avocados to use on a specific day to be challenging so this was such a wonderful concept.
Elizabeth B.
January 10, 2017
I only freeze them to put into smoothies, I have heard of freezing to save them, but I can't imagine the texture being as good for eating after freezing!
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