6 Avocado Hacks That Will Guac Your World
If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen, staring at an avocado, wondering if today is the day it’s finally ripe—this post is for you! 🥑
Let’s face it—avocados can be a bit tricky, and cutting into a brown or overly ripe avocado can really be the pits! Whether you’re crafting a homemade guacamole recipe, putting together nutrient-packed avocado toast, or simply slicing one up for a snack, knowing how to handle this tricky fruit can make or break your meal.
That’s where our friend Janet Loughran comes in! Janet is a private chef, owner of Red Wagon Meals, and cooking instructor who runs the Instagram account @chef.life.hacks. Janet joined us during our Cooking Hacks Livestream in April for Make Lunch Count Day, where she shared some amazing avocado tips to make dealing with this fruit easier for all of us.
And at Culinary Care, we’re all about making mealtime easier and more enjoyable for everyone. We understand the power of nourishing foods during tough times and how small wins—like a perfectly ripe avocado—can make all the difference in your day. That’s why we’re committed to making a difference for cancer patients during chemotherapy, bringing a little joy into their day by delivering restaurant-prepared ready-to-eat meals served with hope and care.
So let’s dive into some simple avocado hacks designed to make life a little easier and brighten your day, which is exactly what Culinary Care is all about!
🎥 Want to watch the video version? Get the avocado tips from the pro herself! Click here.
1. How to Pick the Perfect Avocado Every Time
We’ve all been there—hovering over a pile of avocados at the grocery store, trying to figure out which one is ripe. Janet’s first tip will help you confidently pick the perfect avocado, every time:
Check the color: A dark green to black outer skin is what you’re looking for in a ripe avocado.
Stem trick: Pull off the little stem at the top. If the color underneath is bright green, it’s ready. If it’s brown, that avocado is likely overripe.
Squeeze test: Give the avocado a gentle squeeze. If it has a slight give, it’s ripe. If it feels firm, it needs more time to ripen. If it feels mushy, it’s probably overripe.
2. Ripen an Avocado Faster with an Onion
Picture this: Tomorrow is taco Tuesday, and you need a ripe avocado ASAP! But all you've got are hard, rock-like avocados sitting on your counter. No worries—Janet’s got the perfect trick to save the day!
Place the avocado in a brown paper bag with an onion. (Yes, an onion!) The onion releases gases that help speed up the ripening process.
Let them hang out together for a day or two, and soon enough, your avocado will be soft, creamy, and guac-ready!
Taco night saved! 🌮🥑
3. Slow Down the Ripening Process
On the flip side, what if your avocado is finally ripe, but you’re not quite ready to use it? Don’t worry, Janet’s got a hack for that, too!
Pop it in the fridge! Yep, once your avocado reaches peak ripeness, toss it in the fridge to hit the "pause" button on its ripening. It’ll stay fresh for up to a week, like it’s been on a mini-vacation, chilling out and waiting for you to get your guac game on.
Janet even tested this out herself—she kept an avocado in her fridge for seven days, and when she cut into it, it was still perfectly green and fresh!
4. The Perfect Avocado Toast Recipe
Avocado toast isn’t just a trend—it’s a simple, nourishing meal that you can whip up in minutes, and it’s super versatile! Here’s a tip to take it to the next level: add some extra protein with hard-boiled eggs.
Here’s how to make it:
Mash a ripe avocado onto your favorite toast (sourdough is always a winner!).
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, or even chili flakes for a little extra flavor.
Top it with slices of hard-boiled egg for that satisfying protein boost.
And if peeling hard-boiled eggs makes you want to throw in the towel, try Janet’s genius tip: boil your eggs with a pinch of baking soda. It makes peeling them so much easier!
5. Keep Your Avocados Fresh
It’s so disappointing when you cut into the perfect avocado, use half, and then watch the other half turn brown. But don’t worry—you can control that!
Here’s a simple trick: Keep the pit in the unused half and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep the air out. The pit helps slow down the browning process, and with this little hack, your avocado will stay fresh and green longer. So, next time you're ready for more, your avocado will be, too—no guac left behind!
6. Freeze Avocados for Later Use
If you have a bunch of ripe avocados but aren’t ready to use them all, try freezing them to prevent waste:
How to freeze avocados: Cut them in half, remove the pit, scoop out the flesh, and mash it up. Store the mashed avocado in an airtight container or freezer bag.
When you’re ready to use them, just thaw the avocado in the fridge overnight.
This hack is perfect if you want to save ripe avocados for future guacamole or smoothies!
Hey Guac-Star, You’re Ready to Master Your Avocados!
With Janet’s expert tips in your back pocket, you’re now armed with the ultimate avocado know-how. From picking the perfect one to storing it like a pro, you’ve got everything you need to make your kitchen a little more fun—and a lot more delicious.
We hope these hacks take the guesswork out of dealing with avocados and make your mealtime a little easier! Avo nice day!
At Culinary Care, we know that a good meal is often at the center of life’s happiest moments. We’re looking for people who want to help make those happy moments possible for families fighting cancer. Will you be one of them? Join The Line, our monthly giving community, and help us bring nourishment and joy to families in need.
