Can You Refrigerate Avocados? - How To Store Avocados

Avocados were once considered fattening, and they were forbidden from being eaten. We are so glad those days are gone!

These green, creamy fruits are not something to be afraid of, but we fear that they will go bad before our bodies can enjoy them.

You may be curious about the storage options for avocados purchased by the dozen. Avocados can be difficult to store.

Can you refrigerate avocados? Yes, you can refrigerate avocados. Once they have reached their peak, this is the best way for them to be stored. Avocados continue to ripen at room temperature. Avocados that are perfectly ripe will keep for at least 3 days in the fridge.

Keep your avocado cool and safe in your refrigerator to extend its life span.

This article will discuss the best ways to store avocados, whether they are green or ripe. It also discusses best practices for refrigerating avocados cut and whole.

This article will cover everything you need to know about how to keep avocados fresh for as long possible. There are also some tips on how to save avocados that were not refrigerated.

How to Store Avocados

It is an art to preserve avocados. It is important to keep an eye on the avocado’s ripeness every day. Sometimes, you may need to check multiple times per day to ensure safety.

Unripe avocados may not ripen if they are kept in cold conditions. A ripe avocado can become mushy in just minutes if it is left in a warm place.

There are many ways to preserve avocado’s life, but you must be careful to ensure that it is ripe.

An unripe, very green avocado can be left on your countertop for up until becoming too ripe. Place it on a windowill or closer to the oven to speed up its ripening.

After your avocado is about ripe, you may transfer it to your fridge if it’s not going to be eaten immediately. It should be kept in a place where it will not be disturbed by the constant fluctuating temperatures.

You should store avocados in your refrigerator once they are ripe. Although it will slow down the process of ripening, it won’t stop it completely. Eat your avocado within one to two days of it becoming ripe.

How to Store Avocados Long-Term

If you have an excessive amount of avocados, and don’t know how to eat them all before they turn brown, freezing them will be your best option.

Before you freeze avocados, wait until they are fully ripe.

If you are going to use the avocado as a dip, or spread in the future then it is best to puree them first in your food processor with some fresh-squeezed lime or lemon juice. The citrus will keep the fruit fresh and protect it in the freezer.

Once the mixture is well mashed, (if necessary), transfer it into a freezer safe bag. Spread it out in a thin layer and then seal it tightly. The date should be written on the bag. The mashed avocado should last 3 to 6 months.

Avocados will be slightly different in texture when you are ready to use them. But once you give the mash some time and add spices, you won’t notice.

Refrigerating Avocados - Best Practices

Avocados can be refrigerated. Not necessarily. However, if you don’t place them in the fridge when they are ripe or near to ripe, it’s best to eat them as soon as possible. Avocado can go from perfect to overripe and mushy in a matter of minutes.

Avocados should be refrigerated as soon as they turn dark green or black and have bumpy skin.

If the fruit feels soft when you press it into your hands, they are ripe enough for you to keep them in your refrigerator. If the fruit feels soft when you press it, they should be consumed immediately and refrigerated immediately if possible.

The Best Ways to Store Avocados

Refrigeration is a great way to keep avocados fresh until you are ready to eat them.

There are many other options for storing avocados, if you don’t have enough space in your refrigerator or need to ripen them. Below is a handy chart that will help you determine where and when to keep your avocados.

LocationBest for

Cool, dark location	Avocados that are not ripe with plenty of time to ripen
Sunshine	Green avocados in a hurry to ripen
Countertop	Avocados 2-3 days from perfect ripeness
Fridge	Ripe avocados
Freezer	Too many ripe avocados

Ideal Avocado Storage Temperature

Avocados should be stored at a temperature of 68 F. Freshly picked avocados will take 3-5 day to ripen at this temperature provided that they are not in direct sunlight.

The average refrigerator is 40 F. This is a lot cooler than the normal temperature and can slow down the ripening process. Depending on how long your avocados need to be stored, this might not be the ideal temperature.

How to Keep Half an Avocado

You can keep half of the avocado you have opened and saved it for up to 3-5 days, depending upon how ripe it was at the time you cut it.

Keep the pit in your avocado to preserve its quality. This will prevent it from browning from air exposure.

Another way is to rub the exposed areas with freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice. You can also use olive oil if you don’t have citrus.

Wrap the avocado in plastic wrap, and store it in a cool place in your fridge.

You can also place your avocado flat on a Tupperware container. Fill it with cold water to about 3/4 of its fullness. Place it in the refrigerator. Your avocado might last an additional day without browning by adding water to it.

Can You Refrigerate Avocado After Cutting It?

Yes After cutting an avocado, the best way to preserve it is to keep it in the refrigerator . Keep the pit in the refrigerator until you eat all of your avocado. The pit can be kept with the avocado until it is completely ripe.

To prevent avocado from browning, you should know how you will be storing it. For the best quality, you should eat your avocado within one day.

Refrigerating Sliced Avocado

Use a pastry brush or basting brush to light coat any surfaces if you have citrus juice. Olive oil can be used if you don’t have citrus juice, but it will affect the texture and taste of your avocado when you are ready to use it.

Spread your avocado slices on a piece of plastic wrap. The more pieces are touching each other, the less they will be exposed to the air .

If you have the pit left, place it in its center and arrange as many slices around it as possible.

Wrap the avocado in plastic carefully and press down to get rid of any air bubbles. To prevent it from getting squished in your fridge, wrap the avocado in Tupperware.

Refrigerating Chopped Avocado

Once your avocado is chopped, transfer it into a Tupperware container that is large enough for your avocado without taking up too much space.

You can squeeze lemon or lime juice into the container. Give the avocado a good stir to coat the edges. You can also use olive oil to replace citrus juice but it will change the flavor and texture of the avocado when you are ready to use it.

Place the pit in a bowl with your chopped avocado if you have it. Before you place it in your fridge, make sure that your Tupperware container has been tightly sealed.

Refrigerating Mashed Avocado

Mashed avocado is the easiest to store. Mix the lime or lemon juice into the mash, then put it in a Ziploc bag.

Place it on your counter. Press it down until the avocado is in an even layer and all air has been squeezed out. Place it in your refrigerator, where it will not get squished.