How to Stop Avocados From Turning Brown

How to stop avocados from turning brown is a common concern for anyone who loves this creamy, nutritious fruit. As most cooks know, once avocados are cut, they will quickly turn brown.

This happens because avocados contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, which will cause them to oxidize and darken when they come in contact with air.

The good news is that there are several easy ways to keep your avocados looking fresh longer.

Read on to discover how to prevent avocados from browning and ensure they remain as appetizing as the moment you cut into them.

How to stop avocados from turning brown

Most of the tips to stop avocado browning involve either reducing the amount of air that comes in contact with the flesh of the avocado or creating a barrier to it. Try one of these methods:

Acid helps to prevent browning in avocados

You can use citrus to keep avocados green. The acidity in lemon juice and lime juice helps slow down the browning process.

Squeeze a little bit of lemon or lime juice on the cut side of an avocado. Place it in a resealable plastic bag, remove as much air as possible, and refrigerate.

The avocado should stay fresh for up to 2 days, but you might need to remove some discoloration before eating.

Olive oil method to stop avocado browning

Olive oil helps to prevent an avocado from turning brown by creating a barrier that limits the fruit’s exposure to air.

When you place olive oil on the cut surface of an avocado, it forms a thin, protective layer that covers the exposed flesh. This barrier reduces the amount of oxygen that can reach the avocado’s surface.

It is a simple and effective method, making it a popular choice for keeping avocados fresh and visually appealing.

Plastic wrap helps to keep avocados from browning

Tightly cover the avocado with plastic wrap, pressing it directly against the surface to minimize air contact. This will help to keep the avocado green longer.

Use cold water to prevent avocado browning

Many chefs use cold water to prevent browning because they need to prepare avocados in advance.

To try their method, slice your avocado in half and immediately immerse it in ice-cold water with the cut side down. This keeps avocados green for up to 4 hours.

The water creates a barrier and keeps the cut side of the avocado away from oxygen.

Using onions to stop an avocado from turning brown

A lesser-known but effective way to prevent avocados from turning brown is to store them with onions. The sulfur compounds in the onions help slow down the oxidation process that causes avocados to brown.

Place the cut avocado in an airtight container with chunks or slices of onions. Close the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator.

One of the reasons guacamole stays green is because it uses both the acidity from lime juice and the sulfur from onions to combat avocado oxidation.

Does leaving the pit help?

It is often suggested that leaving the pit in an avocado prevents it from browning. This method does work but with a caveat.

The area in contact with the pit stays green, but the outer edges still turn brown.

I always leave the pit in avocados. However, I combine it with one of the other methods listed in this post for the best results.

The links below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.

Commercial products to prevent browning

Using commercial products can be a great option if you want a convenient and effective way to keep your avocados fresh and green. Here are two that you can try:

Ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), is a natural antioxidant. When added to the cut surface of an avocado, ascorbic acid slows down the oxidation process that causes browning.

This product works in a similar way to lemon and lime juice to prevent browning in avocados.

Avocado savers

While not a chemical solution, avocado savers are physical devices designed to store avocados and minimize exposure to air. These can range from airtight containers to silicone covers that fit snugly around the cut avocado.

Place the cut avocado in the saver and store it in the refrigerator. The reduced air exposure helps slow down the browning process.

Share these tips for preventing avocado browning on Twitter

If you enjoyed learning how to keep avocados from browning, why not share these tips with a friend? Here is a tweet to get you started:

Love avocados but hate when they turn brown? 🌟 Check out these easy tips to keep your avocados fresh and green! 🥑✨ #AvocadoHacks #FreshFood #KitchenTips #Foodie #GardeningCook Share on X

These tips work on all types of avocados, including Haas avocados and Slimcados which are native to Florida.

Whichever method you use, it’s all about keeping the avocado away from oxygen. What is your favorite method for keeping an avocado green?

Pin these tips to prevent an avocado from turning brown

Would you like a reminder of this post of how to keep avocados from browning? Just pin this image to one of your food boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

Admin note: this post for how to prevent avocados from turning brown first appeared on the blog in April of 2013. I have updated the post to add all new photos, and a video for you to enjoy.