Let’s be honest — there’s an art to cutting avocados! Whether you plan to beautifully arrange them on an avocado salad or mash ’em up for healthy guacamole, there is a way to cut them with ease. And after creating dozens of avocado recipes here on the site, I’ve found a way to cut them that give you perfect slices or cubes every time. No more frustratingly digging out the pit or pushing it out and losing pieces of the fruit in the process. With this method, your avos will be neatly cut and no sliver will go to waste!
How to tell when an avocado is ripe
The best way to determine when an avocado is ripe is to do a touch test. Cup it in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze. If it slightly gives, it’s likely ready to eat! A firm avocado is not ripe yet. Another way to test the ripeness waters is to remove the little stem on top. If the underneath is:
Green: Your avocado is perfectly ripe. Brown: It’s overripe. Difficult to remove: The avocado isn’t ripe yet.
Now, let’s say you want to enjoy your avo’ in a yummy dish N.O.W., but your stem won’t budge. What are you to do? Luckily, you have the power to speed up the ripening process. To do so, place the avo in a paper bag with an apple or banana. These fruits produce ethylene gas, which speeds up the avo ripening process.
How to cut an avocado
While they may seem a bit tricky at first, avocados are surprisingly easy to prepare! You’ll just need a ripe avocado, a cutting board, and a sharp knife. Keep reading for tips on how to cut avocados.
Step 1: Slice the avocado in half
Start by cutting the avocado lengthwise, rotating around the seed. The idea is to slice through the skin and flesh of the avocado, but not through the seed itself.
Step 2: Twist to separate the halves
Once the avocado is cut in half, hold each side and gently twist them in opposite directions to separate the halves. One half will contain the seed and the other half will be empty.
Step 3: Remove the seed
Carefully remove the seed from the half containing the seed, embedding your knife into it and twisting. The seed should pop right out. Be cautious during this step. I recommend gripping the avocado with a tea towel to prevent injuries or laying it on a hard, flat surface like a counter or cutting board. You can also remove the seed by lodging a spoon between where the seed meets the flesh and pushing upwards. It may pop up a bit, so be careful.
Step 4: Cut each half in half
Cut each half of the avocado into two pieces, making four quarters in total. This method allows the skin to be easily peeled away from the creamy flesh.
Step 5: Peel and slice or cube
Once you have your quartered pieces, just peel away the skin! Now, you can cut the avocado into thick slices, thin slices, or cubes depending on the recipe you’re making.
Alternative: The spoon method
As an alternative, you can also use a spoon to scoop out the flesh after removing the seed. This method is especially useful for recipes like guacamole, where the shape of the avocado doesn’t really matter. Just run a spoon around the edge of where the flesh meets the peel until the flesh pops out, then slice or cube it!
Tips for cutting an avocado
When it comes to cutting avocados, here are the main tips to keep in mind:
Choose ripe avocados: A ripe avocado will feel slightly soft when gently squeezed but shouldn’t have any dark blemishes or dents on the skin. Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife will make the process of cutting and pitting an avocado much easier and safer. Protect your hand: When removing the seed with a knife, hold the avocado with a dish towel or stabilize it on the counter to prevent potential injuries.
how to store unused avocado
Like cut apple slices, avocados oxidize fairly quickly. Nobody likes a brown bit of avo, so the best thing to do is to securely seal any leftovers as soon as they’re cut. I have found the best method to be wrapping slices or cut halves in plastic wrap. This makes it super airtight and slows down oxidation. To keep the fruit extra fresh, a nice drizzle of lemon juice will help preserve its pretty green coloring. You can also freeze avocado for long-term storage.
Try Avocado in these recipes
Now that you’re basically an avocado professional, it’s time to add it to some recipes! Try it in any of these for a nutrient-rich bite. You can also check out the full avocado recipe archive here.
A jam-packed and savory sandwich? Yes, please! Try this classic Avocado Sandwich or this Strawberry Grilled Cheese number. Enjoy avocado in its freshest form by adding it to Pomegranate Toast or Mango Salad! For something sweet and fit for dessert, give avocado a go in this Chocolate Smoothie or this Chocolate Mousse Pie!
