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How to Cut an Avocado

Have some fun learning how to cut an avocado with this easy-to-follow, foolproof guide. You’ll learn everything from how to peel an avocado to how to slice and dice it. Basically, you’ll be a pro!

Sliced avocados on counter.
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Cutting Open an Avocado

Learning how to cut an avocado isn’t rocket science but with a few tips and tricks it can enable you to safely and efficiently access the creamy, nutrient-rich avocado flesh for various recipes. Once you have mastered the best way of cutting avocado, it minimizes the risk of accidents and wasted fruit, making it easier to incorporate avocados into your meals!

I love to use sliced avocado as a topping on my buffalo chicken salad. If I’m making guacamole or avocado toast, I’ll usually dice it before I mash it and whatever I don’t use, I’ll pop it in the freezer for easy access when making my avocado smoothie.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Avocado can be used in everything from savory breakfast foods to sweet desserts, so knowing how to peel an avocado and use its flesh in so many recipes comes in handy!

  • Avocados. Below you’ll find tips on ripe avocados.
  • A sharp paring knife, or chef’s knife. Being gentle and careful, you’ll need a sharp knife for precision.
  • Large cutting board. Having a stable surface is necessary.
  • A spoon. For scooping out the flesh from the skin.
  • Tea towel. To use for grip.

Tips for Picking a Ripe Avocado

There are a few things to look for when choosing perfectly ripe avocados:

  • First, it should have a little give when squeezed. Not too much, but just enough to feel it’s soft and not completely solid.
  • Second, the small stem should fall off easily and should be nice and green underneath.
  • Finally, it should look and smell like an avocado. Any signs of skin discoloration are not good and could be a sign of decay.

To Ripen Quickly

If yours are not quite ripe yet, place them in a brown paper bag alongside a banana or an apple and leave it on your counter overnight. On the other hand, if yours are ripe but you’re not ready to use them, keep them in the fridge to slow down the ripening process.

Avocados in a clear bowl.

How to Cut an Avocado in Half

  1. Cut in half. Place avocado on the cutting board, and use your knife to pierce through the skin. You’ll notice that the skin is a bit rough and bumpy, but once you cut through, a portion of it the rest of the way should be smooth. Holding the avocado steady with one hand, use the knife to continue cutting the avocado lengthwise, rotating it as you move along. The blade should be deep enough into the avocado that you can feel the pit.
  2. Twist to open. Once you have the avocado cut in half, grab the two sides and twist it open, revealing the large pit in one of the two halves.
  3. Remove the seed. Grab a kitchen towel and place it in one hand. Use it to grip the avocado half that’s got the pit in it. Using your other hand, take your knife and carefully tap the pit with the knife, gripping the pit. Give it a little twist and the pit should come right out. It’ll stick to your knife, so be careful when removing it.

Dicing

Method 1. Leaving the two halves of the avocado intact with the flesh still in the skin, use your knife to score the avocado into diced size pieces. This means you’ll cut lines lengthwise and then crosswise. Use a large spoon to then scoop out the chunks of avocado flesh, getting as close to the layer of skin as possible.

Method 2. Cut your avocado halves into quarters, then use your thumb to peel back a bit of the skin. Once you have a grip on it, continue to peel the skin completely off. This way you can dice the avocado right on the cutting board.

How to Slice an Avocado

The second method above explains how to peel an avocado, and you’ll need to follow this step before slicing. It is very difficult to slice while the skin is still on, and there’s more of a chance you’ll end up with slices that are not as clean. Once you’ve removed the skin, place the flesh on the cutting board, pit side down and carefully slice lengthwise as thin or as thick as you’d like.

Slicing avocados.

How to Keep Avocado Fresh After Cutting

  • When it’s diced or sliced. If you plan on using your cut avocado within the same day you’ve cut it, place them in a bowl of cold water and drain and pat dry with a paper towel just before using them. The water will help prevent the pieces from turning brown.
  • When it’s mashed. If you have mashed avocado, put it in a bowl along with the pit and squeeze lemon juice or lime juice over top. Cover with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. Even if there is a brown layer that forms, you can just scrape it off and find a nice green layer right underneath.
  • When it’s cut in half. Brush the open sides with olive oil and place face down on a plate. The oil will act as a barrier to the oxygen helping to preserve its color. Rinse the oil off before using.

FAQs

Do I need to wash the avocado before cutting?

It’s always a good idea! Give it a quick rinse before slicing to remove any dirt from the outer skin. That way your knife stays clean while making cuts on the inside flesh that you’ll be eating.

Why do avocados turn brown?

Once sliced open, the interior of the avocado will turn brown due to oxidation (enzymes in the flesh react with oxygen). Although the brown pigment may not look very pretty, it’s still safe to eat!

Do you peel avocado before slicing?

This is a personal preference! I find it easiest to peel the skin off completely before slicing so that you can easily cut the flesh into clean slices right on the cutting board.

If you would prefer not to peel the avocado, then simply use your chef’s knife to cut vertical and horizontal lines across the flesh. Then scoop the cubes out with a spoon.

How to store cut avocado?

Store with a squeeze of lemon juice in the refrigerator covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months!

Is it safe to eat the skin?

It isn’t harmful for digestion, although the texture and flavor is not very enjoyable. While it’s common to eat the skin of many fruits and vegetables such as apples, peaches or potatoes, I wouldn’t recommend it with avocados!

Favorite Ways to Use Avocado

Avocados on counter.

More Recipes to Use In

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avocados on counter

How to Cut an Avocado

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Author: Jamielyn Nye
Have some fun learning how to cut an avocado with this easy-to-follow, foolproof guide. You'll learn everything from how to peel an avocado to how to slice and dice it. Basically, you'll be a pro!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Video

Equipment

  • Sharp paring knife or chef's knife
  • Large cutting board
  • Spoon
  • Kitchen towel

Ingredients 

  • 1 avocado , ripe

Instructions

Remove the Avocado Pit

  • Place the avocado on the cutting board, and use your knife to pierce through the skin. Holding the avocado steady with one hand, use the knife to continue cutting the avocado lengthwise, rotating it as you move along. The blade should be deep enough into the avocado that you can feel the pit.
  • Once you have the avocado cut in half, grab the two sides and twist it open, revealing the large pit in one of the two halves.
  • Holding a kitchen towel in one hand, grip the avocado half with the pit. Using your other hand, take the knife and carefully tap the pit with the blade, until the knife is inserted in the pit. Give it a little twist with the knife to remove the pit.

Dice an Avocado

  • Leaving the peel on the avocado, use a knife to slice the avocado flesh lengthwise and then crosswise to create squares. Use a large spoon to scoop out the chunks, getting as close to the layer of skin as possible.

Slice an Avocado

  • Place the avocado halves on the cutting board. Cut into quarters. Use your thumb to peel the skin completely off. Slice the quarters into strips or dice into cubes.

Notes

How to Keep Avocado Fresh After Cutting
  • When it’s diced or sliced. If you plan on using your cut avocado within the same day you’ve cut it, place them in a bowl of cold water and drain and pat dry with a paper towel just before using them. The water will help prevent the pieces from turning brown.
  • When it’s mashed. If you have mashed avocado, put it in a bowl along with the pit and squeeze lemon juice or lime juice over top. Cover with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. Even if there is a brown layer that forms, you can just scrape it off and find a nice green layer right underneath.
  • When it’s cut in half. Brush the open sides with olive oil and place face down on a plate. The oil will act as a barrier to the oxygen helping to preserve its color. Rinse the oil off before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

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