Love the creamy flesh of avocados? Adore homemade guac? Here’s how to cut an avocado so you can enjoy the fruit whenever you wish.
When avocados go on sale, we always stock up. Five for $5? That’s how many are coming home. And I’ve learned recently that letting them ripen on the counter before refrigerating them will ensure maximum freshness for a week or more (thanks, Haley!).
Avocados aren’t just a delicious addition to salads, sandwiches, rice bowls and more. They are also packed with nutrients including heart-healthy fats, fiber, folate and so many vitamins including Vitamin K, E, B-6 and C.
Want to eat more of them? Me too. And to do so, it’s essential to know how to cut an avocado properly. This guide will help.
Start by Gathering Your Tools
Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary tools:
- A cutting board
- A sharp knife or an avocado-cutting tool (I am a big believer in OXO’s avocado tool!)
Choose the Right Avocado
It’s essential that you choose a ripe avocado. How do you know if an avocado is ripe? Gently press on the avocado. If it yields slightly to the touch, then it’s ripe. If it’s super soft, it’s overripe. If the avocado feels hard, don’t try to cut it — it’s not ready to eat.
Cut Lengthwise
When you cut the avocado, you want to split it lengthwise. Hold the avocado with one hand and, using a sharp knife or the blade of an avocado cutter, make a lengthwise cut around the avocado, starting from the top and moving down to the bottom. You should feel the resistance of the seed with the knife as you cut around it.
Once you’ve made the cut, gently twist the two halves in opposite directions to separate them. If the avocado is ripe, the halves should come apart easily.
Remove the Seed
Next, remove the seed. If you are using a knife, hold the half with the seed in one hand and carefully tap the seed with the blade of the knife. Twist the knife slightly, and the seed should pop out. Be cautious to avoid any injuries during this step. If you are using an avocado cutter tool, press the tool into the pit and carefully twist and pull apart.
Prepare the Avocado
Next, use a spoon to carefully scoop out the avocado flesh, separating it from the skin. Running the spoon between the flesh and the skin will allow you to excavate the avocado as a solid half and prepare it however you want — sliced, diced or otherwise.
Your perfectly cut avocado is now ready to be enjoyed! Add it to salads, sandwiches or create a tasty guacamole.
Tips and Tricks:
- If you aren’t serving immediately, you may want to prevent browning by spritzing or sprinkling some lemon or lime juice over the cut avocado.
- If you’re not using the entire avocado, you can store half the avocado with the pit still inside in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. Avocado that’s been removed from the skin also freezes well.