How to Choose the Perfect Avocado (no Bruises!)

Sneak Preview: Learn the secrets to choosing avocados without bruises, ripening them to perfection, and keeping them fresh for longer. Whether you’re planning avocado toast, guacamole, or a salad, these tips will ensure success.

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Sometimes, buying an avocado seems like buying a box of chocolates. You never know what you’ll get.

Why Picking the Right Avocado Matters

Buying an avocado can feel like a gamble. Too often, what looks perfect on the outside reveals dark spots and bruises inside. These imperfections can ruin a dish when you’re aiming for perfectly sliced avocados for dishes like Green Chili Enchiladas, Texas Tamale Pie or Leftover Beef Brisket Quesadillas.

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There’s also no telling how often those tough-looking avocados have rolled out of the bin onto the hard cement or tiled floor and taken a few good bounces.

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If you like to keep avocados on hand, try my secret and buy them regularly. You’ll always have perfectly ripe, bruise-less, and ready-to-eat avocados in your fridge.

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How To Choose an Avocado Without Bruises

How to Choose an Avocado Without Bruises

1. Buy Hard Avocados:
   • At discount stores like Aldi or Walmart, select firm, unripe avocados. They’re less likely to be bruised by handling. When I want avocados for my San Antonio Bean Burger or avocado toast with my sourdough bread, I buy them at least 3-5 days before using them.
   • Skip soft avocados unless you’re sure they haven’t been squeezed or dropped.
2. Check the Skin Color:
   • Look for green-skinned avocados. The skin will darken as they ripen.
3. Ripen at Home:
   • Store avocados on your kitchen counter. Check daily by gently pressing near the stem. When they yield slightly, move them to the fridge to halt ripening.
4. Refrigerate for Longevity:
   • Once ripe, avocados will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week without bruising or dark spots.

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Pro Tip: Avoid Round Avocados

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Round avocados tend to have larger seeds and less flesh. Opt for pear-shaped varieties for more fruit (Thank you to one of my readers who shared this secret that he learned from a Hispanic lady searching for avocados next to him in the store.)

How To Store a Cut Avocado

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1. In Water:
   • Place the cut half (with the seed) in a jar of water, fully submerging it. Use within 1-2 days. Expect the top layer to appear waterlogged but it’s still perfectly usable for mashing or blending.
2. Vacuum-Sealed Jar:
   • Store in a canning jar sealed with a portable vacuum sealer(paid link). This keeps the avocado fresh for 1-3 days.

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If a portable vacuum-sealer seems unnecessary for such a small job, I assure you it is well worth the price considering all the things you can do with it.

Speed Up Ripening

• Place avocados in a paper bag with an apple or banana. The ethylene gas from the fruit accelerates ripening.

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How to Handle Black Spots

Widespread Black Spots: Indicate the avocado is overripe. Discard if the flesh is too discolored.

Small Spots: Safe to eat; simply cut them out.

According to Healthline, an isolated black spot is usually caused by a bruise. Black spots throughout the avocado mean it has passed its prime. If the spots are small, I cut them out. If there are too many, I pass.

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Since I shop about once a week, I pick up several hard avocados every time I go to keep good avocados on hand.

Disclaimer

If you need ripe avocados for guacamole tonight, visit a smaller, less-trafficked store. Pricier stores often have avocados that are less handled and bruised, increasing your chances of finding the perfect fruit.

Final Thoughts

Keep these tips in mind to always have fresh, bruise-free avocados on hand. Whether for avocado toast, guacamole, or your favorite recipes, mastering avocado selection will make all the difference.

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