Can you freeze avocado to make it last longer?
We look at whether you can freeze avocado as a way to reduce food waste and save money - and importantly, whether it still tastes as good
While avocados tend to have a short but sweet spot in their lifespan where they are the perfect texture, can you freeze avocado to make it last longer and reduce food waste?
Rising food prices have been one of the main drivers behind high inflation so it's no wonder families have been finding ways to reduce food waste and shopping at the cheapest supermarket to cut the cost of their weekly food shop. And with avocado being a regular feature of many family shopping lists, and having a relatively short shelf life, it's a likely option to perish and get thrown away before it's eaten.
In the last couple of years, the average price of an avocado has gone up by more than 11%, from 84p in August 2021 to 94p in June 2023, according to the Office of National Statistics. So it's one to make the most of while it's at its best instead of sending it to the bin.
Making use of your freezer is a really simple way to make your food last longer, and families have been wondering whether you can freeze cheese, freeze milk, or even freeze leftover cooked pasta, and now they want to know if you can freeze avocado.
Can you freeze avocado?
Yes, you can freeze avocado, but it will change the texture so you might find that you only want to use it in specific ways once it's thawed.
It's best to freeze avocado when it's ripe but still firm. You can freeze a whole avocado (with the skin on), by sticking it in the freezer. But if you rarely use a whole avocado at a time, you might prefer to slice it into quarters or chunks first. You can give it a spritz of lemon juice to stop it browning, (although this mum suggests that's not necessary) and then portion it into an airtight container or freezer bag. It'll keep for about three months.
Laying it out of a tray to freeze, before putting it into a container, can help prevent it all sticking together in a clump. Alternatively, you can arrange it in a layer in your chosen container and keep it flat to achieve the same result.
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
To thaw your avocado, just remove from the freezer and leave it at room temperature for a couple of hours before using. Alternatively, you could leave it in the fridge overnight to thaw out. Either way, it's best to consume thawed avocado within a day of taking it out the freezer.
Does avocado still taste good once it's been frozen?
Whether thawed avocado still tastes good is debatable as it will come down to personal taste, but you will notice a change it texture. The water in the avocado will expand as it freezes and form crystals, which can disrupt its usual structure. This can affect the smooth and creamy texture you get with fresh avocado.
Thawed avocado is likely to have a softer, more watery texture, which means it might not be suitable for use in salads, sandwiches or smashed on toast. You're best sticking to fresh avocado for that.
But for things like cakes and smoothies, thawed avocado is much more suitable. Here are some other things you could use thawed avocado for:
If you're on the fence about it, there are lots of benefits of avocado, so if it's not already part of your family's diet, then it's worth considering.
Sarah is GoodtoKnow’s Consumer Writer & Money Editor and is passionate about helping mums save money wherever they can - whether that's spending wisely on toys and kidswear or keeping on top of the latest news around childcare costs, child benefit, the motherhood penalty. A writer, journalist and editor with more than 15 years' experience, Sarah is all about the latest toy trends and is always on the look out for toys for her nephew or Goddaughters so that she remains one of their favourite grown ups. When not writing about money or best buys, Sarah can be found hanging out with her rockstar dog Pepsi, getting opinionated about a movie or learning British Sign Language.
-
What do you do if you disagree with how a teacher disciplines your child? Five tips from an educational psychologist
Dr Britto shares her top advice on what to do next...
By Dr Patricia Britto Published
-
Child therapist shares the five conversations to let your kid overhear (#4 could help with behaviour too)
You don't always want your kid listening in on your conversations, but there are times when it can do good
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
New data highlights the main disparities when it comes to parents requesting flexible working, and sadly we're not surprised by the findings
We'll give you three guesses as to which parent is more likely to ask for flexible working arrangements from their employer...
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Record number of families opt-out of claiming child benefit, but the decision could have serious repercussions for your future
Stark warning for families as number of parents who opt-out of receiving child benefit reaches 10-year high
By Sarah Handley Published
-
'It isn’t a holiday – it is crucial bonding time' - 70% of dads can't afford to take two weeks paternity leave, according to new research
The research also found that only 14 per cent of fathers were ready to return to work mentally after taking their paternity leave
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Two-child benefit cap 'pushes children into poverty' - campaigners urge government to scrap 'cruel policy' that impacts 1 in every 10 children
The controversial two-child benefit cap has met with strong opposition since its introduction in 2017
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Gen-Z could be costing their parents £1,300 a year, by refusing to do this one thing (but it's not always their choice)
It's not just parents who are facing the additional costs, the costs for Gen Z could be even higher
By Sarah Handley Published
-
More than half of parents want to do this important thing for their kid's education but can’t afford to, according to new research
Pressures on the family budget are preventing parents from paying for educational support outside of school
By Sarah Handley Published
-
75% of mums feel guilty buying things if they earn less than their partners, according to social media poll, and the comments section was part heartbreaking, part inspiring
Some mothers felt guilty for spending their partners money, while others saw it as household money instead
By Sarah Handley Published
-
10 best zoos in the UK based on ticket prices, reviews and value for money
The best zoos in the UK have been determined based on a number of key factors, include prices, popularity, Trip Advisor ratings and how many animals they have
By Sarah Handley Published