How to Cut an Avocado

Learn how to easily peel, pit, and cut an avocado to use in your favorite healthy recipes.  There are also a few tips and tricks that will show you how to tell if an avocado is ripe and how to store it for later. 

How to Cut an Avocado

Ohhhh… avocados – with your creamy, velvety smooth texture, and delicious taste.

When I first met my husband I was not a huge avocado fan.  Nor did I know anything about how to pit, peel, cut, or even select them at the grocery store.

But after spending 4 years in San Antonio, and having a hubby that DEVOURS them, I quickly fell in love, too.  After all, this delectable fruit comes from Mexico – so we get some of the BEST avocados here in Texas!

Avocados are by far one of THE top 10 items that make a regular appearance on our weekly grocery list now.

If we’re not adding them to a Shrimp Ceviche, or topping Migas Tacos with them, then we’re making a big ole’ batch of Homemade Guacamole once they’ve gotten a bit too ripe.

So you better believe I quickly learned how to pit, peel, and cut an avocado.  And you soon will, too!

What is an Avocado?

Avocados are technically a fruit since they are a single-seeded “berry.”

However, they are savory enough that some consider like to consider them as more of a vegetable.

They are composed almost entirely of monounsaturated fat and make an excellent, low-carb and creamy addition to your favorite dishes.

Avocados have a relatively tough outer layer called their “skin” that you definitely don’t want to eat.  Often you can also find ones with a “stem“.

Once an avocado is cut in half you will see a large brown seed, or “pit”, surrounded by a bright green edible flesh.

Selecting Ripe Avocados

When selecting avocados at the grocery store there are a three things you’ll want to look for in order to pick the best ones:

1. Firmness – Avocados are best to eat when they are slightly softened, but not completely mushy.  You’ll want them to give a little bit when you apply firm but gentle pressure.  Buy slightly harder, less ripe, avocados if you are planning to use them a few days after purchasing.
2. Stem – A quick trick I like to use to confirm an avocado’s ripeness is to peel back the stem.  If it is a beautiful green underneath and the stem peels easily, the avocado is ripe and ready-to-eat.
3. Color – Avocados with a darker skin are generally ripe and ready to eat.  Lighter, more green avocados can normally use a few more days to ripen fully.

Removing the Pit

The process for cutting an avocado is actually rather simple and consists of the following steps:

1. Slice the avocado lengthwise until you feel the knife hit the pit.
2. Turn the avocado on its’ side and spin it while continuing to cut it in half with the knife.
3. Twist the two halves to separate them once the avocado is completely cut down the center.
4. Carefully hit the pit with your knife to remove it.
5. Rotate the pit until it loosens and pull up.
6. Remove and the pit by pressing on it from the non-sharp side of the knife with your thumb and your pointer finger.

Cutting into Slices or Cubes

From this point you can either cut the avocado into slices or cubes.

You’ll want to be extremely careful when doing this so your knife does not slip and cut through the avocado’s skin.

• For slices, use a smaller paring knife to cut thin slices of avocado.
• For cubes, cut slightly thicker strips, about 1/2-inch wide.
  • Rotate the avocado 90-degrees and cut additional 1/2-inch wide slices.
• Once your slices/cubes are done, simply scoop them out using a large spoon.

Alternative Method

If you’re a little intimidated by holding the avocado and cutting at the same time, there’s an alternative method you can use.

1. 1. Once the avocado is cut in half and the pit is removed, cut each halve in half lengthwise.
   2. Remove and discard the skin from each quarter.
   3. Place the avocado cut-side down on a cutting board and either thinly slice it or dice it.

Storing

It’s best to use freshly sliced and diced avocado immediately after cutting.

But let’s say you have half of an avocado left and you want to store it for later.

Once an avocado is cut it’s flesh will start to turn brown due to a process called oxidation.  (It’s just a fancy word for the avocado being exposed to air!)

The best way to store cut avocados is to wrap them in a piece of plastic wrap and press the wrap down so it has complete contact with its’ surface.  You can store the cut avocado in the refrigerator like this for up to 2 days.

Serving

Use avocado in a Homemade Guacamole, Vegan Avocado Pesto, or serve slices on top of Roasted Cauliflower Tacos.

You can also make avocado toast with some Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, or just eat it plain with a bit of salt, pepper, and olive oil.

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How to Cut an Avocado

Learn how to easily peel, pit, and cut an avocado to use in your favorite healthy recipes.  There are also a few tips and tricks that will show you how to tell if an avocado is ripe and how to store it for later. 

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Dinner, lunch, Snack

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword cuting avocado, how to cut an avocado

Prep Time 2 minutes

Total Time 2 minutes

Servings 2 servings

Calories 161 kcal

Author London

Ingredients

• 1 avocado

Instructions

1. Slice the avocado lengthwise until you feel the knife hit the pit.
   

2. Turn the avocado on its side and spin it while continuing to cut it in half with the knife.

   

3. Twist the two halves to separate them once the avocado is completely cut down the center.

   
4. Carefully hit the pit with your knife to remove it.
   

5. Rotate the pit until it loosens and lift up. 

   

6. Remove the pit from the knife by pressing on it from the unsharpened side with your thumb and pointer finger until it dislodges.

   

Classic Method

1. From this point you can either cut the avocado into slices or cubes. (You'll want to be extremely careful when doing this so your knife does not slip and cut through the avocado's skin.)
2. For slices, use a smaller paring knife to cut thin slices of avocado.
   
3. For cubes, cut slightly thicker strips, about 1/2-inch wide. Rotate the avocado 90-degrees and cut additional 1/2-inch wide slices.
   
4. Once your slices/cubes are done, simply scoop them out using a large spoon.
   

Alternative Method

1. Once the avocado is cut in half and the pit is removed, cut each halve in half lengthwise.
2. Remove and discard the skin from each quarter.
3. Place the avocado cut-side down on a cutting board and either thinly slice it or dice it.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

How to Cut an Avocado

Amount Per Serving

Calories 161 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Sodium 7mg0%

Potassium 487mg14%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 147IU3%

Vitamin C 10mg12%

Calcium 12mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.