Avocados. I love them. A lot.
And by alot, I mean they could be my favorite food.
I often only use half of an avocado for my salad…or for the kids. But I don’t want the other half to brown, while I wait to use the rest up the next day.
2 Tips to Keep Avocados from Browning
1. Run them under cold, cold water (or plunge them into an ice bath).
2. Put the “lid” back onto the avocado half that has not been used yet.
What have you found that works for keeping avocados from browning?!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Eating them keeps them from getting brown
Can you really restrain yourself from eating the whole thing?
On a serious note, lemon juice works and, if you are using it ina guacamole and don’t want the whole thing to turn brown, leave the pit in the mix.
Brushing the green surface with a bit of olive oil and placing that side down on a plate or bowl helps keep it pretty. For guacamole, I press cling wrap to the surface of the guac before I put the lid on the bowl.
I leave in the pit, sprinkle FruitFresh on the flesh, then press plastic wrap or Glad Press ‘n Seal tightly over it, pulling tightly around the entire half to ensure little air comes through.
I’ve heard you can seal half an avocado (or mashed avocado) in a FoodSaver bag, but I haven’t tried it – I save those for longer term food storage. And while I have the willpower to save half an avocado, my limit is 24 hours!
My FIL brushes the leftover half with lemon juice & he taught me to put the pit in after mashing them up to keep the guacamole from turning brown; 1 pit for every 2 avocados. & I also cover the surface with plastic wrap so no air can touch it
& I agree with Jenni how can anyone restarin themselves & leave 1/2 an avocado ??
It’s hard to keep avocados in our house because I love them so much, as do my children. I will definitely remember your tips though. I was told to squirt a little lemon on them to keep them from browning but haven’t had to do that yet either LOL
Wait a minute. People can actually manage to have leftover avocado to save? I’m possible! Good tip, though, hehe.
Take the pit out of the avocado and place in a cup covered with water. Place the cup next to the avocado.
Had the first “half” this morning at 8:30 am with breakfast (I use mashed avocado with a little oil and salt as a butter substitute). Got home 9 hours later and had the other half as a snack. No browning at all.
Old chilean trick.
Hard for me to visualize your recommendation. Any chance of snapping a photo and posting it? Also which oil do you mash in for your butter substitute?
Brush unused portion w/ lemon or lime juice. Just like with apples, the acidity of the juice keeps it from browning.
Leave the pit in and wrap with tin foil
the best thing that has worked for me is putting lemon juice on the side that is going to be put a way,and keep the seed on it!
If I had to make a choice of only one food. It would be avocado.
If you are going to use the other half the next day, submerging the unused half in water and keeping it there until the next day works. I would not use this method though if you are wanting to keep it for a few days. The flesh becomes really mushy and no good. Hope this helps!
P.S. use cold water when submerging it