Avocados naturally create something called ethylene gas, which makes fruit ripen faster. When the avocados are in a paper bag, the ethylene gas gets trapped, and this helps to ripen the fruit faster than if the gas escaped into the air. [2] X Research source
Red or golden delicious apples Kiwi Banana
Non-bagged avocados generally need four to seven days to ripen, but bagged avocados may be ready in two to three. [4] X Research source Ripening an avocado in a bag won’t affect the flavor, and will result in a delicious and buttery fruit.
An unripe avocado will have light or dark green skin and will feel firm when squeezed. An overripe avocado will be dark black, look slightly shrunken, and will feel mushy when squeezed. [5] X Research source When you cut into an overripe avocado, the flesh will have turned brown in many spots.
The oven is superior to the microwave for ripening avocados rapidly. The microwave can leave the avocado mushy and tasteless. An avocado that’s softened in the oven won’t have the same buttery flavor that a truly ripe avocado does, but it will be softer and easier to peel, cut, and mash. [6] X Research source
Instead of using foil, you can also place the avocado in a baking dish with a tight-fitting lid. This is particularly useful if you’re trying to soften multiple avocados.
When the avocado is soft and gives to gentle pressure, set it aside and let it cool in the foil.
Place unripe avocados in a fruit bowl or basket and store them at room temperature. You can either leave them on the counter or put them away in a pantry. [9] X Research source Start checking for ripeness after three or four days.
Refrigerated avocados should be stored in a plastic bag. [10] X Research source
Storing the avocado in an air-tight container with some chopped onion. Wrapping the avocado tightly with plastic wrap, with the wrap touching the flesh. Sprinkling cut or mashed avocado with an acidic agent, such as lemon or lime juice, tomato juice, orange juice, or vinegar. Store the fruit in an air-tight container.
As an alternative, you can also puree the avocado with lemon juice and freeze the puree. [12] X Research source To soften avocados quickly, freeze them and immediately thaw them.
Dip for potato chips Spread for sandwiches Stuffed into potatoes or boiled eggs As a sauce for fish, chips, and other fried foods On bread or toast
To give your avocado sushi rolls an extra crunch, batter the avocado, dip it in bread crumbs, and deep fry it before rolling it up.
There are many variations of avocado soup, including creamy soups where the avocado is pureed, and hearty soups where the avocado is in chunks. Creamy avocado soup can be served warm or cold.
