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 an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.
If avocados were on sale 3/$1 where you live, how many would YOU buy?
Mini avocados are on sale for $0.99 a bag!! I’m going crazy over here which brought me to your site wondering if they can be frozen – my hubby and I are just starting to eat keto and he announced that he will be eating at least 2 avocados per day for the potassium, and much like yourself I am frugal! So my little grocery budget is crying, obviously.
Thank you!!
Can’t wait to try this!
Wow that’s amazing!!!! We have them for 50 cents again here :). You are so welcome!
In Mexico, we leave the pit with the avocado “meat” to keep it from browning. I haven’t tried it with freezing, but I soon will!
I will never be without my seal a meal machine. I seal EVERYTHING! I buy in bulk as well, so fresh veggies in season, meat and devide into smaller portions, rice, pasta etc. And you can seal all things in original packaging like rice, pasta, chips etc.
So you are sealing them and putting them in the fridge so they last longer?
My daughter in law freezes chips when they are on sale
Potato chips?
I would buy all I could get my hands on!
I have a Food Saver and have used it. I recently saw a mom put meat in a ziplock bag and lower the bag in a sink full of water. The mom lowered the bag all the way to just before the zipper and zipped it right up. The bag looked like a FS bag! The water pushed out so much air. You might give that a try before investing in a FS.
I think I am going to – thanks! Do you think there is any big difference?
I am definitely going to keep this in mind.
I use a heavy water bottle straw to suck out the air in my freezer storage bags. Remove as much air as possible. Close zipper top up to straw and hold closed around straw. Remove rest of air, pull out straw, close zipper.
I wonder if I should just do this instead of the Food Saver.
I use the same method but I use a small soda straw a package of them 1.00. for 50 or more in a package. It works great I use to use Ziploc vacuum bags until they discontinued making them.
Foodsaver is awesome option! I def recommend esp if you freeze a lot or buy in bulk. I get 10lb blocks of cheese and is good 6+ months. It will cut waste, you can pull frozen meat from the freezer and it will keep days longer opposed to a bag. Find one on sale I got mine at Kohl’s double couponed was only $100. Get one that automatically seals when you put the bag in and if possible the hose attachment. Let’s you vac seal plastic containers.
Thanks for the tips, I sometimes get a load of avocados but need some way to store them
Thanks! So what do you think about the pros / cons vs the “such the air out with a straw” option?
I would think, for the sure busy or lazy, one could todd the whole avacado in the freezer. Anyone try this. I just found them for $.39! Guess what.
Some said in the comments that it works–others said no. I wouldn’t personally :).
Food Saver… I could not live with out it.. I live 20 miles from the nearest major store so I cant just run down the street. I buy in bulk and on sale. I purchased my first one 20 years ago after deciding freezing in plastic bags simply did not work no matter how much air I got out. I use it for meat, grains and veggies from my garden. I have even used it to seal bread for the freezer. I once found a roast that got lost for 3 years in the freezer and decided to cook it in a slow cooker. Even though I prepared an alternative dinner just in case….the roast tasted like I bought it that week… I am a big believer and it has paid for itself many, many times over.
Wow – thanks for sharing!!
100%. ^^^
I have been through 3 vacuum sealers – we are big “at home cooks” and I can’t imagine not having one in my kitchen!!!!!!!!
What do you use them for the most? Thanks!