Ripen avocados at room temperature, then chill for 3 to 4 days
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for until ripe
Ripen avocados at room temperature until they're tender, fully developed, and ready to eat.
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Fridge
Keeps for 3-4 days
Keep ripe avocados in the fridge.
Watch out The 3 to 4 day time applies to ripe fruit only.
Ripe avocados keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Ripen them at room temperature first, since that fridge time applies to ripe fruit. FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing avocados, but guacamole keeps 3 to 4 months in the freezer.
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Ripe avocados keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Before that, they ripen at room temperature, so where you store an avocado depends on whether it’s ripe yet.
This guide covers where to keep avocados at each stage, what FoodKeeper says about freezing them, and how to handle them safely.
How to store avocados
Ripen avocados at room temperature, then keep ripe ones in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. FoodKeeper counts an avocado as ripe when it’s tender, fully developed, and ready to eat.
How to store unripe avocados
Keep an avocado that isn’t ripe yet at room temperature, such as in the pantry, until it’s tender and ready to eat. FoodKeeper doesn’t give a number of days for this stage, so check the fruit rather than counting days.
Do avocados need to be refrigerated?
Ripe avocados can go in the fridge, where FoodKeeper gives them 3 to 4 days. That time applies to ripe fruit, so ripen the avocado at room temperature first.
The FDA advises keeping perishable fresh produce in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Pre-cut and packaged avocado
Buy pre-cut or packaged avocado only when it’s refrigerated or surrounded by ice, and refrigerate it at home. That’s the FDA’s advice for all pre-cut or packaged produce.
How to store half an avocado
Put a cut avocado half in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, the temperature the FDA’s guide to selecting and serving produce safely gives for perishable fresh fruits.
USDA FoodKeeper gives ripe avocados 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but it doesn’t give a separate time for a cut one. Use the cut half soon, cut away any damaged or bruised areas, and throw it away if it looks rotten.
Can you freeze avocados?
No, USDA FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend freezing avocados, and it gives them no freezer time. Plan to use them within their fridge time instead.
Can you freeze guacamole?
Yes. FoodKeeper gives guacamole 3 to 4 months in the freezer and 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
How long do avocados last?
Ripe avocados last 3 to 4 days in the fridge. The table shows the FoodKeeper times for avocados and guacamole.
| Food | Where | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Avocados | Room temperature | Until ripe |
| Ripe avocados | Fridge | 3 to 4 days |
| Avocados | Freezer | Not recommended |
| Guacamole | Fridge | 3 to 4 days |
| Guacamole | Freezer | 3 to 4 months |
How to tell if an avocado is bad
Throw away an avocado that looks rotten, as the FDA advises for produce. If only part of it is damaged or bruised, cut those areas away before you eat the rest.
The FDA also says to choose produce that isn’t bruised or damaged when you buy it, so check each avocado at the store.
How to wash avocados
Rinse an avocado under plain running water before you cut it, even though you won’t eat the skin. The FDA says this keeps dirt and bacteria on the surface from being carried along when you peel or cut.
Gently rub the avocado under the water, then dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further. Skip soap, detergent, and produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them. Washing reduces bacteria but doesn’t eliminate them. The FDA’s tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables cover the same steps.
Frequently asked questions
What does ripe mean for an avocado?
USDA FoodKeeper says an avocado is ripe when it's tender, fully developed, and ready to eat.
Does the 3 to 4 day fridge time apply to unripe avocados?
No. FoodKeeper says that time applies to ripe fruit, so ripen the avocado at room temperature first.
Is it safe to eat an avocado with a bruised spot?
Cut the bruised area away first, as the FDA advises, then eat the rest. If the avocado looks rotten, throw it away.
Can you wash an avocado with soap?
No. The FDA doesn't recommend soap, detergent, or produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them. Use plain running water.
How cold should the fridge be for fresh produce?
The FDA advises keeping perishable fresh produce in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
