How to Freeze Avocados: 4 Ways
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Yes, you can freeze avocados—and it’s a great way to save money when they’re on sale or prevent them from going bad too quickly. While the texture changes after thawing, frozen avocados work really well in smoothies, dips, and dressings.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had a few avocados sit on the counter just a little too long…and suddenly they’re overripe. I’ve definitely been there—especially when I stock up during a good sale.
So I started figuring out how to freeze avocados properly, and it turns out there are a few different ways to do it depending on how you want to use them later.
If there was an Avocados Anonymous we'd all be full-fledged members. And we might even be the heads of our local chapter. In fact, I'm sure that we would be.
But I have yet another problem.
My name is Adrienne and I'm a Frugalaholic.
When something is on sale, I feel the need to stock up.
My husband and I were the types who loaded all of the loss leaders into our cart and got funny stares from people in the checkout line.
Well, when you buy in bulk and make a lot of homemade healthy food, you need to figure out how to store bulk purchases so that they don't spoil, and that includes avocados.
Why I Had to Freeze Avocados
Recently there was a 3/$1 sale on avocadoes, and I started wondering how I could store avocados without them spoiling.
I mean, if you buy a lot of avocados, you can eat them plain, with salt, dip carrots into them (with a little salt on top), make this Zingy Avocado Dressing, these Chocolate Avocado Truffles (serious yum), these Chocolate Mint Grasshopper Bars, and this AIP Guacamole.
But there's a limit to how many avos you can eat before they turn to mush.
Problem is, that some of the information out there about freezing avocados is wrong.
I am instead going to share some great methods for freezing avocados.
And to make things even better, I've rounded up 4 different ways to freeze avocados, depending on the time you have and how you're going to use them.
Please note, that frozen avocados will not lend themselves well to eating thawed on their own or sliced on a sandwich. The texture will be more suitable to things like dressings, dips, etc. (or Chocolate Truffles!).
However, diced or cubed frozen avocados work great in smoothies like this delicious Strawberry Avocado Smoothie.
Ways to Store
- Zipper Freezer Bags
Some frugal folk have recommended this alternative to the Food Saver System: putting a straw into a Ziploc bag, then sucking the last bit of air out of the bag before sealing. I haven't tried it yet so I'd love to hear your thoughts on this as well! - Store in Jars
If you'd prefer to not freeze in bags due to concerns about plastic, storing in these jars is a good alternative. - Water instead of Lemon Juice
You can try water instead of lemon or lime juice, but the antioxidants in the citrus juice works better.
Shelf Life in Freezer
Avocados should keep for 3-6 months in the freezer. They will still be safe to eat after that time, but their flavor might be diminished.
Of course, their shelf life in the freezer will depend on the method used to freeze, as well as the quality and temperature of your freezer.
How to Defrost
To thaw frozen avocado, place either the halves or diced avocados in a bowl of cold water or in the fridge. Halves could be thawed on a plate for about 30 minutes and some say that they taste better when eaten a bit on the frozen side.
Other Ways to Preserve Foods
If this post has been a help for you, you might find these to be of help as well:
- How to Freeze Bananas
- How to Freeze Cucumbers
- How to Store Nuts and Seeds
- How to Freeze and Store Berries
- The Easiest Way to Store Tomatoes
- How to Store Prepared Beans
- The Best Way to Preserve Herbs
- How to Store Leafy Greens
How to Freeze Avocados–4 Ways
Ingredients
- avocados
- lemon juice/lime juice pptional but recommended for best color
Instructions
In Halves
- This is the easiest way to go about freezing avocados. Simply cut your avocados in half lengthwise, peel them (either before or after cutting), put them on a plate or tray, spritz each half with some lemon (or lime) juice. You don’t need to douse the avocados, but you do want to make sure that you are pretty much coating them.A good rule of thumb would be about 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice per each large avocado, or 1 teaspoon for each small one. Place the avocado halves in a plastic storage bag and press as much of the air as possible. If you really want to get all of the air out, you can use a food saver system. I've had my eye on these and would love to know if you all find them to be a great addition to a frugal kitchen, or just one more gadget that doesn't get used much.
Diced
- If you'd rather go an extra step to protect your avocados from browning due to air exposure, you can dice your avocados and toss them with lemon juice. Then place the dices in a Ziploc Bag or use a food saver system to get as much of the air out as possible.You can then use the dices in any recipes calling for avocados.I recommend bagging up 2-4 diced avocados at a time and noting how many avocados are in each bag by writing something on a label on the bag, so that you can easily grab some from the freezer and use them in recipes.
Puree
- Since you're likely going to be mashing up your frozen avocados, this is another great way to freeze them. If you freeze halves or dices, your final recipe will be chunkier than if you puree them, but pureeing works great for making dressings, sauces, guacamole, truffles :), or putting avocado into smoothies.Simply toss your avocado into a food processor or blender, squeeze in some lemon juice, and process to desired texture. Then scoop the puree into a plastic storage bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze.Alternatively, you can store the pureed avocados in ice cube trays. Fill each cavity with some of your lovely and smooth avocado puree, and freeze. I would recommend buying separate ice cube trays for this as they might get a bit discolored. Silicone ice cube trays work best.Place the trays in the freezer until the puree is frozen. Then simply pop the cubes out and place in a plastic storage bag.
Guacamole
- Either freeze the guacamole in a plastic freezer bag or in ice cube trays. Silicone ice cube trays work the best for easy removal. Guacamole without tomatoes works best.Any guacamole recipe will work. I will say, however, that the texture of your guacamole will be better after freezing if you avoid the tomatoes. Even though my Easiest Way to Store Tomatoes is a great option, the results aren't optimal and I think you might not be happy with less than optimal results guac.You can either freeze the guacamole in a plastic storage bag, or try the ice cube tray method again. This would be particularly handy if you are making Taco Salads (or any kind of salad or meal) in a Jar ahead of time. These jars would be perfect for this!Simply toss a cube or two of your frozen guacamole onto the salad the night before. It will be thawed and ready to eat by lunch the next day.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
If avocados were on sale 3/$1 where you live, how many would YOU buy?
Do you think apple cider vinegar will work for those of us with nickel allergies that can’t have citrus?
Hi Jennifer – yes I do. I saw someone mentioned that water will work but I personally don’t think that’s the best idea.
That straw sucking the air out of bag stuff works but it looks unappealing as a bystander…its like you wonder if some of their breath or spittle will go into it. Probably not but it icked me out watching my Mom do that. You have good information here our avocados run around $1 a piece here. We got a load of some for $1. a piece not long ago this info would have come in real handy. IF I would run into a deal like you did I’d use the methods you described here. I would also get as many as I could.
I meant .50 for one avocado only sale here about.
It isn’t just unappealing I think it’s a clear possibility that some saliva / breath would go in there. Thanks for the compliment! We have bought a TON several times!
When you say frozen avacados would be better for spreads,ect… I am just getting into avacados, slowly acquiring the taste and one of my favorites is avacado spread on toast topped with a posched egg. Would thawed avacado be ok for that or would it be too watery?
I think that should work just fine – YUM!!! Craving it now.
I super duper love my vacuum sealer…and it was only $30 at Aldi!
With that being said, I cut my avocado in half, scoop the meat out onto some cling wrap, fold the wrap over and push some air out, and then freeze like that in a Ziploc bag. No lemon and they’re perfect for cold smoothies!
Ooh – $30 is a steal. I’m guessing they don’t have them often though….I’m always skeptical about Aldi purchases like that and wonder if they hold up.
I’ve gotten several home items from there, including a cast iron griddle and a fort building kit that’s usually $50+ at Barnes and noble…everything is still in perfect shape:)
No kidding. That really inspires me! We’ve bought a few toys there and haven’t been excited but now I’ll be heading back for sure!! Thanks!!
Aldi’s sales always come around again, about every 6 months. I saw the vacuum sealer like 2 months ago. All their non-food items have a 2-3 year warranty. No big name brand items carry that long a warranty. I have never hesitated getting any electronics or kitchen items from them. I bought one of these vacuum sealers for a ‘soon-to-be-mine’ camper. I tested it and it works perfectly.
Duplicate receipt. Ask for one, or 2 before the cashier FINISHES ringing you out, if you’re buying more than just the warranty’d item. Most everyone wants the original receipt for warranty work.
Wow – such great info. Thank you! I will have to check. But alas, not sure if I can wait another 4 mos! I have a good friend who works there. I can ask her. Thanks again!
Love my food saver. I freeze liquids in jars, bowls, ice cube trays, pip them out and use my food saver to wrap them. Things last a long time. We just thawed meat from over a year ago. It was perfect without any ice crust.
Pop them out, not pip.
So great – thank you!!
I just bought 25 They were 5 for $1 This will be my first time freezing. 🙂
Wow – we are all wanting to know where you live so we can come and stock up! Totally worth the drive (or air fare!!)
I also shop in major bulk as the closest grocery store is 2 hours a way I only go once per month. I just want to say that the vacuum sealer is sooo worth it. I usually make a menu for the month before i go shopping then i buy my meats in bulk then I portion out what I will use per meal and vacuum seal them. I have a handheld food saver vacuum sealer with vacuum zipper bags I got for about $25 on Amazon and its saved me about $75 a month in the 6 months I’ve had it. I will probably upgrade to a nicer product now that I know it will get used.
So great – which model did you get? And how did it save you money….you mean by not throwing out food?
I shamelessly raped my brother’s five avocado trees in Fallbrook, Calif. Came away with about 50 lbs. So I was sooo happy to see how to freeze as they are all ripening now in the heat of Arizona. Thank you ever so much.
Jala
50 pounds — wow!!!
Well…everywhere I went yesterday avocados were 2/$1. There are 10 avocados on my table. And I live on my own. Just couldn’t resist picking up a couple more…repeatedly. (I do love my avocado!)
Hence googling freezing them. Thanks for the info!
Imagine if they were 3/$1 here!!
YAY! Everywhere? That’s crazy! We had some 2/$1 here too. I think the sale is over though….
Can you use regular tupperware containers or does that not work??? I hate the idea of single use bags..
The only issue is that the air in the container will cause issues w/ freezer burn and even oxidation so you want to remove air from whatever containers you use. There are, I think, a few plastic containers that allow you to do that but not typical ones.