Avocado
We Found the Avocado Hack to End All Avocado Hacks
TikTok users are demonstrating a safer-than-ever method.
Photo by Ty Mecham
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32 Comments
[email protected]
January 6, 2022
Forget the spoon for getting the avocado out of its shell. I use a small spatula from Thermoworks. Just go around the edge & voila, the avocado comes out perfectly.
Marion B.
October 12, 2021
I'm 69 so I've been taking the pits out of avocados for most of my life! Cut them in half. With your (clean) thumbnail, just flip the pit out of the avocado. No need for knives or fancy equipment.
phip
July 16, 2021
If you can’t dislodge a pit from an Avo with a knife, please don’t ask if you can help make the guacamole.
FS
July 15, 2021
Isn't it a bit ironic to call a method that avoids putting a blade into the pit a "hack"?
Frankly, the described method seems more trouble than it's worth ... getting the pit out of an avocado is easy enough as long as one takes just a bit of care.
Frankly, the described method seems more trouble than it's worth ... getting the pit out of an avocado is easy enough as long as one takes just a bit of care.
Guadalupe L.
July 15, 2021
With an avocado tree at my parent's house, I've pitted avocados my whole life. As long as the avocado is ripe, the easiest way is to cut it into two halves, lightly squeeze the half with the seed lengthwise and let the seed drop into the bin.
taash
July 15, 2021
Unnecessary, a waste of time, & not worth destroying the avocado.
I use a similar method to Bobby Flay: a sharp downward blow with a sharp knife fixes the pit on the blade, I wiggle the blade a little back & forth to loosen the pit, then, holding the knife with the edge pointing downward, place index finger & thumb on either side of the blade & push downward, releasing the pit. Here’s Bobby demonstrating his avocado-pitting skills:
https://m.facebook.com/watch/?extid=SEO----&v=272711667170992&_rdr
I use a similar method to Bobby Flay: a sharp downward blow with a sharp knife fixes the pit on the blade, I wiggle the blade a little back & forth to loosen the pit, then, holding the knife with the edge pointing downward, place index finger & thumb on either side of the blade & push downward, releasing the pit. Here’s Bobby demonstrating his avocado-pitting skills:
https://m.facebook.com/watch/?extid=SEO----&v=272711667170992&_rdr
Tammy L.
July 15, 2021
I've seen this...but you still need a knife or some other tool to cut the avocado in half. Or am I missing something? Just seems more efficient to continue to the next step with a knife. Sort of gimmicky.
Susanna
July 15, 2021
Yes, I thought this was a so-called hack to open an avocado without a knife, but after watching the video, it’s clear that you still have to cut it open before removing the pit. But never in my life have I used a knife to get the pit out. I just lift it out with a spoon.
OdaO
July 15, 2021
To keep the avocado beautiful and unmessy, as you sometimes want, you bring your knife into the stone with a whack, and twist it! Especially useful if it is not overly mature.
OdaO
July 15, 2021
While the avocado is on the table, not in the hand, mind.. (hence the ‘avocadohand’ (cut)).
Cheryl
July 15, 2021
So where is the hack? I don't see a video or any photos that relate to an avocado.
Carrie T.
July 15, 2021
Nah, I’ll keep the “old” method. Totally squished the backside during the “new” method.
Yirgach
June 24, 2021
Another common ER wound, especially on weekends, is the Bagel slice wounded palm.
Kitty
June 24, 2021
I’m confused. Why would removing an avocado pit mean a trip to the ER? Doesn’t everyone simply cut the avocado in half, and bring a knife down swiftly onto the pit, twist and remove? Then to the trash can to knock the pit off the knife? Not a single body part is engaged in any way that would cause harm. Am I missing something?
Kelly V.
June 24, 2021
Unfortunately, "avocado hand" is a real thing! It's a term coined by medical professionals and refers to injuries caused by home cooks who accidentally cut themselves quite severely when using a sharp knife to remove the pit. Hopefully, this new hack will prevent such injuries in the future!
Medora V.
June 25, 2021
I'm with you, Kitty. That has been my avocado pit extraction method since I saw the Galloping Gourmet demonstrate it over 40 years ago. No blood in my guacamole. I would, on the other hand, love to know how to safely cut up a gigantic winter squash, rutabaga, or the like without mayhem.
emily
July 1, 2021
I do exactly what you described. This technique works perfectly and doesn't involve sticking multiple fingers into the fruit or squishing the avocado. I think a lot of the problems arise because people try to cut the avocado in half while it's resting in their hand rather than on a cutting board. If you never put yourself in a situation where the blade is heading toward your skin, you'll never get cut!
Matt
July 15, 2021
So I googled "avocado hand", and the only stuff that came up were click bait headlines from websites I've never heard of…
Kelly C.
July 15, 2021
Medora, cut off the ends, poke holes with a fork all the way around & microwave for 2 minutes, then cut it. I find this to be much easier.
dona
July 15, 2021
i bet some people stick the tip in the pit rather than just whacking the pit with the blade. good way to ruin your knife!
Kelly C.
July 15, 2021
Yes, it was! Sorry for confusion. I thought it would show up directly under hers.
Medora V.
July 17, 2021
I'll try it the next time I'm faced with an indomitable vegetable. Thank you!
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