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Use these easy step-by-step instructions on How to Cut an Avocado. You can slice or dice an avocado to use it in recipes or just to enjoy on its own.
We love having Avocados. They are so good mashed in guacamole or sliced on toast. There are so many health benefits that avocados offer that we try to enjoy them with lots of different recipes such as salads, smoothies or a burrito bowl.
Learning how to cut them can seem hard at first glance. The rough and bumpy texture and knowing if it is ripped can be a struggle at first. These tips will help you know how to store, cut, and picking the right Avocado. It will help to prevent browning and to enjoy in many recipes. You may like these other kitchen tips such as How to Cut Asparagus, How to Cut a Pineapple and How to Cut an Orange.
What's in this post: How to Cut an Avocado
Picking the Right Avocado
When picking the right avocado, it will depend when you are going to be eating them. I usually buy several for the week and leave at room temperature. If I am going to be eating them right away, I will get one that is ripped.
The way you can tell if it is ripped, if the avocado skin is a dark green and it is soft to the touch. Also if the small stem can easily be removed, then your avocado is ripe.
How do you Properly Cut an Avocado?
There are two ways you can cut an avocado. The first way, is if you are wanting to slice the avocado with a paring knife. The second way is if you want to dice the avocado.
Make sure you have the right supplies handy. You will need a Chef’s knife and a cutting board.
How to Slice and Cut Avocado
The first way to cut an avocado is to cut slice the avocado. We love to use this method to put on avocado toast.
Step 1 – Cut the Ripe Avocado Whole in Half Lengthwise – Hold the avocado in the palm of hand or on a cutting board. Take your sharp knife and cut lengthwise on each side. Cut into the avocado until the knife hit the seed.
Step 2 – Twist the Two Halves of the Avocado – Once you have cut your avocado, twist both sides of the avocado halves.
Step 3 – Then Remove the Avocado Pit – Use towel to protect your hand. Then hit the pit with your knife. Twist and remove the pit. I have even used a spoon to scoop out the seed.
Step 4 – Spoon out the Avocado – Use a large spoon and run it along the skin of the avocado to remove the avocado. This will remove the avocado from the avocado peel so you can slice it. Discard the peel
Step 5 – Slice the Avocado Flesh – Place the avocado on your cutting board, and slice with your knife.
Step 5 – Chopping the fresh avocado is the second method – Then you can chop the avocado slices into small avocado cubes.
Tips for How to Cut an Avocado
- Check Ripeness – Before cutting into a avocado make sure that is ripe. If it is too hard then it is not ready to be sliced.
- Removing Peel – You can use a large spoon to scoop out the avocados, or you can squeeze the avocado from the flesh.
- Slice Avocado in the Skin – Once you have two halves. Run your knife through the avocado carefully not to cut the skin. If you want the avocado chopped, turn the avocado and continue running your knife through it.
How to Ripen Avocados
To prevent your avocados turning bad, they need to be eaten when they ripened. If you need to ripen your avocado fast, place them in a brown paper bag with a banana or a apple overnight. You can also leave them on your counter to ripened naturally.
If you are not going to be eating your avocado and you are wanting to slow down the ripening process, place in the fridge. If you do end up cutting the avocado, the ripened process will stop.
See How to Ripen Avocados Quickly for even more tips.
How to Store Avocados
The main thing to keep in mind when storing avocados is avoiding air getting to the avocados. That is what cause the avocados to brown so quickly.
- You can brush your avocado with some olive oil. You can then place in on a plate that has olive oil on it face down.
- Squeeze some lemon juice or lime juice on the avocado and wrap in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.
A sliced avocado will stay good in the refrigerator for about 1 to 2 days using one of these methods.
Keeping Unripe Avocados Green
If you are not ready to use your Avocados and want to slow down the ripening process, place in the refrigerator. This will slow down the process and keep your avocados green longer.
Placed in the refrigerator you avocados will stay green about 2 days longer. We like doing this when I am not using the avocado until later in the week.
FAQs
Place the avocado in your hand and slightly press into it to see if it is soft or still hard. If it is soft then, your avocado is ripe. The outer skin of the avocado will also be dark green and almost black. If you avocado has sunken spots or is mushy, then the avocado is to ripe.
If you only decide to use half of an avocado, you can leave the seed in the other half covered with plastic. But it does not prevent it from browning. I would enjoy the stored half within a few days, scraping the top layer that has browned before serving.
When the cut avocado oxidizing when exposed to air, it will turn brown. To avoid the avocado from turning brown you can brushed the exposed avocado with lemon juice, lime juice or apple cider vinegar.
More Easy Avocado Recipes
Easy Dip
The Best Avocado Dip Recipe
Easy Grilling
Easy Grilled Avocado Recipe
Easy Appetizer
Avocado Deviled Eggs
If these tips on How to Cut an Avocado were helpful, make sure to leave us a comment. We love to hear from you!
How to Cut an Avocado
Ingredients
- 1 Avocado
Instructions
- Hold the avocado in the palm of hand or on a cutting board. Take your knife and cut lengthwise on each side. Cut into the avocado until the knife hit the seed.
- Once you have cut your avocado, twist both sides of the avocado halves.
- Use towel to protect your hand. Then hit the pit with your knife. Twist and remove the pit. I have even used a spoon to scoop out the seed.
- Use a large spoon and run it along the skin of the avocado to remove the avocado. This will remove the avocado from the skin so you can slice it.
- Place the avocado on your cutting board, and slice with your knife. You can then also chop the avocado.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Use towel to protect your hand. Then hit the pit with your knife. Twist and remove the pit. I have even used a spoon to scoop out the seed. Once you have two halves. Run your knife through the avocado carefully not to cut the skin. If you want the avocado chopped, turn the avocado and continue running your knife through it. You can use a large spoon to scoop out the avocados, or you can squeeze the avocado from the flesh.