How to Cut an Avocado

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.

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.