Can You Refrigerate Avocados? – How To Store Avocados

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Consuming avocados daily indeed offers you with best health advantages. But there is always a negative side of avocados related to their preservation techniques.

Avocado is a fruit that gets ripen within 2 to 3 days at room temperature, and it’s not very easy to store there for the long run.

So, can you refrigerate avocados? Will it slow down the ripening process?

Yes, you can freeze avocados in a refrigerator, and it also helps reduce the ripening speed of avocados by 2 to 3 days.

We included some of the best ways and tips to store avocados from weeks to months for a better understanding.

How Long Do Avocados Last?

A fresh hard, and green Avocado will take four to five days to ripen—all you have to leave it on the countertop open at room temperature.

However, if you are in a hurry, we recommend adding the Avocado in a paper bag with a banana or apple. The Avocado traps the ethylene gas from the other fruits, which increases the ripening speed.

When the avocado ripe completely, it is recommended to eat it within the next 2 days. Moreover, you can store it in the refrigerator for 3 more days. The cold temperature slows down the ripening intensity.

Always make sure not to place raw Avocado in the refrigerator as it disturbs the uniform ripening process.

How To Store Avocados Long Term?

There is always a need to store or preserve delicious ripe avocados for a later date. Long-term storage can only be achieved with the help of superior cooling or freezing techniques.

Follow the below steps for Avocados superior storage as per the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP):

• For effective preservation, always mash the ripe avocados into a puree and freeze as per research slices, or uncut avocados do not freeze well.

• Next, you have to add lemon juice for every two avocados. It helps in retaining the authentic color of the Avocado.

• It is mandatory to achieve an airtight ecosystem to store the Avocado. Store it in plastic, zip zap bag, and remove all excess air before sealing. You can freeze the package for more than 3 months.

• Always defrost the puree before using it for preparing a smoothie. Never leave the frozen avocado puree outside for hours as there is a risk of contamination.

• Defrost and use it immediately to make multiple dips, including guacamole and use the Avocado for dressing.

Best Ways To Store Avocados

Preserving avocados requires multiple techniques and precautions to store them precisely.

Place/Location/Atmosphere	Suitable For/Time Duration or Days
Under fresh sunlight	Best for ripening green avocados
Refrigerator	Superior for storing ripe avocados
Best for Consumption or Stomach	Always ripe avocados
Deep freezer	Perfect for storing avocado puree and ripe avocados
On kitchen countertop	Green raw avocados for 2 to 3 days to achieve uniform ripeness
Dark and Cold Environment	For green raw avocados for slow ripening intensity

Can You Refrigerate Avocados?

Yes, of course, you can refrigerate avocados but only when there are perfectly ripened. Never refrigerate raw green Avocado directly in a refrigerator.

There are certain rules and techniques to refrigerate avocados effectively without spoiling their authentic taste and texture :

• If your avocados are not ripening perfectly or in green color, then store it for 2 to 3 days under normal room temperature for ripening.

• Once you are done with the ripening process, store the uncut avocados in the refrigerator. An unpeeled avocado can last up to 2 to 3 weeks.

• Try to store avocados in the coldest place possible as it gets darkens once exposed to air. To slow down the darkening process, it is suggested to add lemon juice to the Avocado.

• When you refrigerate peeled or cut avocados, it turns into brown color. However, it only spoils the appearance, but still, you can eat it without any health issues.

• Refrigerating peeled or cut avocados, you need to brush the exposed flesh with lemon juice. Cover it with cling wrap and store. The acidic properties of lemon juice eliminate the oxidation process.

Can You Refrigerate Avocado After Cutting It?

Yes, you can refrigerate avocados after cutting them. But make sure to add lemon juice to the exposed areas of the flesh.

There are numerous methods to refrigerate Avocado just after cutting it :

• Peeled or cut avocados must be brushed well with concentrated lemon juice before refrigerating. The lemon juice reduces the oxidation process and limits discoloration issues.

• As per National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP), you should store the ripen avocadoes in puree form. First of all, you have to mash the avocados as sliced, or cubed avocados don’t freeze well.

• For preserving the avocado puree for months, you must have an airtight container or package. You can use a plastic air-sealed pouch or container or a zip-top bag. Before sealing, make sure to remove all excess air.

• Never use the frosted avocado puree directly to your food. First, take the desired quantity and defrost it to prepare various types of dips, including guacamole. You can also use it to prepare smoothies and for avocado-based dressing.

Is It OK To Refrigerate Ripe Avocados?

Yes, it is 100% safe and legit to refrigerate ripe avocados. It is suggested to eat a ripe avocado within 2 days. However, you can store the ripe avocados in a refrigerator for 3 days.

Freezing temperature reduces the oxidation process, which slows down the ripening intensity. Make sure not to store unripe avocados in the refrigerator as it disturbs the overall uniform ripening process.

What is the best way to store leftover Avocado?

The best way to store the leftover Avocado is by brushing the exposed flesh with lemon or lime juice.

At first, you have to limit the air from direct contact with the exposed flesh. Always use an airtight plastic wrap to cover it well.

Store the leftover Avocado in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days depending upon its ripeness level. The addition of lemon juice slows down the discoloration.

Sometimes you will find a thin brown layer over the pulp, all you have to scrap away and use the remaining pulp without any issue.

How long do avocados take to ripen in the fridge?

To ripen avocados in the fridge takes around 6 to 7 days. However, it so not recommended to store raw green avocados directly in the refrigerator.

Storing unripe avocados in a cold atmosphere reduces the ripening process, which results in uneven ripening of Avocado. If you want to use leftover avocados for later days, use lemon juice and cover tightly with plastic wrap.

An improper ripen avocado will not deliver you a wonderful creamy texture. It will keep you away from experiencing its delicious taste. So, it is always best to rip avocados in natural climatic conditions over your kitchen countertop.

How do you keep avocados from ripening too fast?

If you want to keep avocados away from ripening too fast, storing them in the refrigerator is best. It reduces the ripening process by up to 2 to 4 days.

It is suggested not to use frozen Avocado directly. At first, defrost the Avocado on the counter and allow it to attain room temperature.

An avocado under normal climatic temperatures offers the best creamy texture and delicious taste. It acts as the best ingredient for preparing smoothies, dipping, and other avocado dressing.

Conclusion: Can You Refrigerate Avocados?

There are considerable doubts related to avocados is all around us. Well, the simplest straightforward answer is that you can refrigerate avocados without any hassle.

Freezing avocados reduces the ripening speed and extends their usability life for up to 4 days. A refrigerator helps in retaining the real texture and firmness of the Avocado.

If you want to preserve peeled or cut avocados, add lemon juice to the exposed flesh areas, eliminating discoloration issues. Never try to use frozen avocados directly in your food preparation. So, it is very important to defrost before preparing smoothies or dips.

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