Avocados are great, nutritious, and delicious fruits, and turning them into guacamole makes them even better. However, people should think twice before sticking avocados and guacamole into the freezer, as haphazardly popping anything into the freezer is never a good idea. We've done our research to answer your questions: Will frozen avocados still be good for guacamole? Is there a way to assure that the quality of frozen avocados would remain as fresh as their unfrozen counterparts? We've done the work to bring you the answer.
Frozen avocados are great for guacamole. As a matter of fact, frozen avocados are just as good as fresh, unfrozen avocados when used in smoothies, shakes, and dips. To ensure that the quality remains the same, it is best to puree or cut the avocados then spray them with lemon juice before freezing. The lemon juice will keep the avocados from browning. Before turning the fruits into guacamole or using them for other purposes, it is important to thaw them properly by placing them on a table at room temperature for thirty minutes to an hour.
Freezing avocados may seem impractical and daunting because of the number of things to consider. However, it is simpler than it sounds. Continue reading to find out the best way to store your avocados to make great guacamole.
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The Best Way To Freeze Avocados For Guacamole
Avocados have to be properly frozen, stored, and thawed to ensure that the freshness remains the same. The best way to freeze avocados specifically for making guacamole is to puree them with lemon juice before sticking them in the freezer. Pureeing is the best way to increase the longevity and preserve the freshness and color of the avocado.
Of course, there are times when pureeing before freezing is not the best choice. The good news is that avocados can be frozen without any significant changes, provided that you follow a series of steps.
How To Freeze Avocados?
It is important to remember that the act of freezing changes the texture of fruits. Freezing fruits like avocados change their cell structures. This change is caused by the water inside of the fruit expanding. When the fruits thaw, they become mushy and watery instead of having the smooth and creamy texture of their unfrozen counterparts.
Experts do not recommend sticking a whole avocado into the freezer. Freezing a whole avocado causes the most change to the fruit’s texture. The best alternative methods of freezing avocados (aside from pureeing them) are to either cut them in halves or mash them into chunks. The first few steps of all of these methods are similar:
- Wash the fruit thoroughly.
- Cut the avocado in half.
- Remove the pit using a spoon.
- Remove the skin by peeling it off or scooping the insides.
After taking the halves, spray or brush the fruit with lemon or lime juice or vinegar. To make mashed avocados, use a fork to press them into chunks before adding some lemon or lime juice. The addition of lemon, lime, or vinegar keeps them from browning.
After following these steps, what comes next is storage. Proper storage is key to keeping the fruits fresh. To properly store avocados, you must put them in airtight containers. Plastic wrap, freezer bags, and resealable bags are all great alternatives to airtight containers as long as you get as much air out as possible before tightly sealing.
Do Frozen Avocados Taste Good?
While there is a change in texture, there is no significant difference between the taste of frozen and unfrozen avocados. Freezing and thawing have very little effect on the taste of fruits; however, the same cannot be said for other processes that may cause chemical reactions. For example, if you add lemon juice as a way to prevent the avocado from browning, then you can expect a change in taste. The change in taste is even more evident if you use vinegar. The good news is that this taste will go away once you turn the avocado into guacamole or a healthy smoothie or milkshake.
How Long Can You Store Frozen Avocados?
You can keep avocados in the freezer for as long as four to six months. Despite keeping them this long, avocados will still keep their freshness, taste, and quality at the expense of their texture. The color may differ as well, but the change can be prevented by adding lemon juice. Just remember to thaw the avocados first before using them for any purpose.
How To Thaw Frozen Avocados?
There are two ways to properly thaw avocados. The best way to thaw them is to put them on a table at room temperature. Let the fruit sit there for around thirty minutes to an hour. If you need to use them first thing in the morning, you can put them out of the freezer and into the refrigerator and let them sit there overnight.
After thawing, you must use the avocados as soon as possible. Exposing them to repeated temperature changes will deteriorate their quality. To avoid repeatedly pulling them out of the freezer and putting them back in, you can measure and divide your avocados into small portions. Doing it this way will ensure that you will only get the amount of fruit you need when you need it.
Can You Blend Frozen Avocados?
Yes, you can blend frozen avocados straight out of the freezer. Frozen avocados are amazing additions to shakes and smoothies. Since they are frozen, ice may not be necessary for making your healthy drink as the fruits are already cold.
As with all frozen fruits, though, you may need to add some liquid like milk to the frozen avocado so that it blends properly. Using frozen avocado is only recommended for blending. For other ways of preparation, you have to thaw the avocado first.
Does Guacamole Freeze Well?
Freezing guacamole is a great way to increase their shelf life. Guacamole stored in the freezer can be kept fresh for one to two months. As with frozen avocados, remember to use guacamole immediately after thawing.
Despite being similar to pureed avocado, guacamole sadly does not freeze well. Guacamole has other ingredients mixed in such as spices, garlic, onions, and tomatoes. The latter two release a lot of water when frozen then thawed. If avocados on their own become watery, the addition of onions and tomatoes will make the guacamole even slimier and mushy. If you don’t mind the change in texture, then you can still enjoy the frozen guacamole since it will taste almost similar to unfrozen guacamole.
In closing
Frozen avocados are good for many purposes, including guacamole. As a matter of fact, fresh and frozen avocados can be used in the same ways but not without alterations.
While there is no significant change in taste, there is a huge difference in texture. Once frozen then thawed, avocados lose their signature smoothness and become slimy and watery. To minimize the change, you should mash or puree the avocado and add in a hint of lemon or lime juice. Still, you can deal with the change in consistency by mashing, blending, and pureeing the fruit and turning it into a healthy smoothie, a delicious milkshake, or an amazing guacamole dip for you to enjoy with your friends and family.
