19.10.2024

4 tips for storing an avocado without it turning black

By Lesia

Tasty, filling and full of vitamins, the avocado really has it all! Rich in nutrients and other health-promoting virtues, we like to enjoy this fruit for breakfast on toast, in a fresh salad at lunchtime, in a smoothie for hungry little ones or in guacamole at snack time. The only drawback: as soon as you turn your back on it, it turns black as quickly as you bought it! Of all its qualities, it is really the only flaw we can find with it. Because, no matter how often we bring it home, it quickly ends up softening and rotting. But how can we prevent avocado from turning black?

Of course, to take advantage of the durability of this healthy food, there are certain storage rules that must be followed closely. There are different ways to store avocados to prevent them from turning black too quickly. In this article we are going to reveal to you some tips, sometimes overlooked, that will make you enjoy the delicious taste and creamy texture of this green fruit for longer.

avocado refrigerator
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Lawyer in the refrigerator – Source: spm

1- Store avocados in the freezer
Have you just bought avocados and you don’t intend to consume them too quickly? The first thing to do, to prevent them from ripening too quickly, is to place them directly in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer. The cold will slow down the oxidation process. As a precaution, separate the avocados from each other with airtight bags so that they do not emit the famous gas that accentuates ripening.

But what you didn’t know is that it is quite possible to also consider storing them in the freezer. You might be surprised, but avocado can even be kept for several months in such an environment. Because the colder the temperatures, the longer the shelf life. Remember that it is usually the surrounding air that tends to darken this fruit. Also, to freeze it, you have to remove the peel and put all the pulp inside the blender. Once you get a puree consistency, add a few drops of lemon and maybe even another seasoning if you want. Then, place the avocado puree in a cone or container before putting it in the freezer.

olive oil avocado
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Avocado and olive oil – Source: spm

2- Preserve avocados with olive oil
How do you prevent an avocado from turning black without a lemon? Well, with olive oil! If you have opened the avocado and want to keep it for a few more days, you should cover its pulp and moisten it with a little olive oil. This is a very good trick to prevent it from turning black and therefore rotting. The oil will thus act as a protective film that limits oxidation by air.

After that, you should place the avocado in an airtight container or in wrapping paper to continue preserving it properly, of course, it is best to store it in the refrigerator. As an added bonus, cling film or stretch wrap will help you avoid contaminating other fruits or vegetables.

3- Store avocados unopened
Another way to preserve avocados well is to leave them unopened: if you haven’t eaten half of it and want it to last longer, it’s essential to leave it in the fridge. This will prevent oxygen from entering the interior and therefore prevent it from turning black.


In case you’ve opened your avocado, it’s a good idea to consume the part without the pit or seed first. Because the core also protects a small area from exposure to oxygen and keeps it healthy.

A little tip for storing a cut avocado: take an airtight box and place your half avocado with pieces of onion. The latter has a sulfurous composition that delays the ripening of this fruit.

avocado and lemon
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Avocado and lemon – Source: spm

4- Preserve avocados with a few drops of lemon
You probably already knew that lemon is an excellent ingredient to combine with avocado for its preservation. If you have already opened the avocado and want to save the pieces, you should brush them with a few drops of lemon, then place them in an airtight bag or container.

The citric acid contained in the lime protects the first layer of the avocado and prevents it from oxidizing or rotting. This will give you 2 days to consume it. Remember to always store avocados in the refrigerator and be careful not to put anything on top of them.

Last tip: to protect your avocado, always remember to keep the pit, when you cut it in half for example. By keeping the core in the remaining part, you can keep it for a few more days in the refrigerator. However, always choose to store it in the refrigerator in plastic wrap or in an airtight container.