If You See Brown Spots on Your Avocado, This Is What It Means (2024)

Avocado Crab BoatsThese boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon

Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado SauceI’m always looking for lighter recipes to take on tailgate outings—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the pregame festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut

Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado SalsaA delightful and tasty rub makes this quick recipe fantastic. While the fish is sitting to allow the flavors to blend, you can easily assemble the salsa. My family loves this! —Laura Fisher, Westfield, Massachusetts

Avocado Scrambled EggsBacon and avocado blend nicely in these special eggs. They’re easy and perfect for breakfast. But I'll also whip them up after an evening meeting or football game—or any time friends drop by for coffee. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana

My Favorite Avocado SaladTangy lime dressing is the perfect topper for this avocado salad. Toasted walnuts make for crunchy goodness, but try it with any kind of nut you like. —Ilia Kaku, North Richland Hills, Texas

Air-Fryer Fried Avocado TacosTacos just got even more exciting! These juicy, flavorful, easy and healthy tacos are for those who are huge fans of avocado. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Avocado SalsaI was planning a party and thought it might be fun to try a different kind of avocado salsa. This recipe was an absolute success. Scoop it up with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak, or eat it on its own! —Susan Vandermeer, Ogden, Utah

My husband and I love Mexican food and these tacos have become one of our favorite meals. Try setting out the toppings in different bowls on the table so dinner guests and kids can make their own tacos. —Laura Rodriguez, Willoughby, Ohio

Creamy Avocado ManicottiI am always looking for creative ways to make vegetarian dinners a little different. I grow my own basil, and avocados are a versatile favorite, so this recipe is a fantastic way to make manicotti that's a little unusual. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio

Mexican Layered SaladHere’s another popular dish I like to prepare in advance, adding the cheese and chips just before serving. It’s a slightly different version of the traditional layered salad.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Chicken Tacos with Avocado SalsaA few people in my family have special dietary needs, but luckily, these chicken tacos work for all of us. I toss up a simple green salad and have a meal we can all enjoy together. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

My family loves a good steak dinner, but with busy schedules, I'm often thinking about ways to put new and simple twists on things. This salad is flavored with the freshness of lemon and cilantro and is one of my husband's favorite weeknight dishes. —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia

Avocado Goat Cheese TrufflesGive guests the VIP treatment with luxurious truffles you can make in your own kitchen. The goat cheese is mild, and red pepper heats up each bite just a bit. Crackers are the perfect accompaniment. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

I'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey

Shrimp Salad with Cilantro DressingThis pretty salad has such authentic flavor, you'll think you're sitting at a beachside cantina in Acapulco. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota

Mexicali Quiche with Avocado CrustNew Mexican cuisine is my favorite, and this quiche uses an avocado crust filled with many delicious ingredients. Top with chopped cilantro for garnish. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Baby Kale Salad with Avocado-Lime DressingWe pull a bunch of ingredients from our garden when we make this baby kale salad with zucchini and sweet onion. The yogurt dressing layers on big lime flavor. —Suzanna Esther, State College, Pennsylvania

Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco SaladWe use this super-duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love to help measure the seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington

Chipotle Lime Avocado SaladI use my music to promote a healthy lifestyle, like eating your veggies. This bright salad is loaded with avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes and a little heat factor. —DJ Cavem, Denver, Colorado

Greek Sausage Pita PizzasI turned my favorite sandwich into a pizza. It's perfect for lunch or dinner, but don't forget it when you're having a bunch of people over—it makes a fantastic appetizer, too. —Marion McNeill, Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Avocado Fruit Salad with Tangerine VinaigretteOn long summer days when we just want to relax, I make a cool salad with avocado, berries and mint. The tangerine dressing is refreshingly different. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio

Southwestern Eggs Benedict with Avocado SauceI frequently make this spicy spinoff of classic eggs Benedict for my husband, who loves breakfast. I like the heat from the jalapenos and also that the avocado sauce is a healthier substitute for the usual hollandaise sauce. —Kara Scow, McKinney, Texas

Potato Salad with Kalamata-Hazelnut VinaigrettePotato salad tossed with vinaigrette has a lighter taste than traditional mayo versions. I add velvety avocado and hazelnuts for cool texture and crunch. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington

A big hit with my family, this light salad is so easy to make! The healthy option of mango and avocado is simply the best combination you could serve. —Amy Liesemeyer, Tucson, Arizona

Skinny Cobb SaladThis skinny version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and use all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida

Shrimp Avocado SaladThis salad can be served as a cool and satisfying dinner or lunch. The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados mixed with the crisp shrimp salad is heavenly. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Loaded Grilled Chicken SandwichI threw these ingredients together on a whim and the sandwich turned out so well, I surprised myself! If you're in a rush, microwave the bacon—just cover it with a paper towel to keep it from spattering too much. —Dana York, Kennewick, Washington

Bacon Avocado SaladEveryone in my family loves this bacon and avocado salad—even the younger kids! I serve it at pretty much every get-together I've hosted, and at this point, the recipe's been shared too many times to count. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut

Avocado QuesadillasAvocados give quesadillas some nutritional value and, fortunately, my son likes them. Thinly slice the avocado, and add chicken or beef for extra protein. —Debbie Limas, North Andover, Massachusetts

Grilled Flank Steak with Summer RelishMy garden produces a nice harvest of tomatoes, scallions, corn, garlic and poblanos, so that's what I use to make relish for this tasty steak. —Brenda Washnock, Negaunee, Michigan

Salmon BurgerI thought I’d made salmon every way you can make it—until now. The tangy slaw, made with fennel and avocado, adds another layer of flavor that goes surprisingly well with salmon and other seafood. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

California Club PizzaYou can use your favorite store-bought pizza dough or make your own for this West Coast-inspired pie topped with tomato, avocado and sprouts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chicken Cakes with Avocado Mango SauceHere's a fabulous appetizer for your next party. Or serve these chicken cakes for dinner with a side of hot rice and your favorite vegetable. —Rachael Nodes, La Barge, Wyoming

Avocado Egg Salad ToastI had a surplus of avocados after purchasing too many for an event. A few days later, I was making egg salad sandwiches for lunch and had the fantastic idea to use avocado to bind it together instead of traditional mayo. Not only was this version unbelievably delicious but the healthy fats in the avocado make this a much better option than the traditional mayo-laden version. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

Avocado Fruit SaladI'm glad a friend gave me this delicious recipe, featuring four kinds of fruit as well as avocado. A light honey-lemon dressing enhances the already tasty flavor of the produce. My family loves it and so do I! —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro and a little avocado make this a creamy and zingy pasta salad. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey

Chicken with Peach-Avocado SalsaThis super fresh dinner is pure summer—juicy peaches, creamy avocado, grilled chicken and a kick of hot sauce and lime. To get it on the table even quicker, make the salsa ahead. —Shannon Roum, Cudahy, Wisconsin

No-Fuss Avocado Onion SaladMy mother, Nena, grew up in Cuba and learned many styles of cooking. She had a knack for making something incredibly simple taste amazing. This salad is proof. By itself, the dressing is really tart, but add the avocados and onions and it's the perfect complement. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California

Grilled Cheese and Avocado SandwichWho doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich? This version kicks it up a notch with avocado, tons of cheese and extra-crispy bread. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

California Burger BowlsBurgers are a weekly staple at our house year-round. Skip the fries, chips and bun—you won't need them with these loaded veggie and fruit burgers. To spice up the mayo, add 1/2 tsp. of chipotle powder. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Cornmeal Catfish with Avocado SauceWhen I was growing up in California, my mother made catfish quite often, and it was always a hit. Now I cook it with my own twist. When only frozen catfish fillets are available, I thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, and they work just as well. —Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon

Power up with a breakfast that keeps you going all morning long. In my humble opinion, this sandwich tastes so much better than anything that comes from a drive-thru! —Marcia Conlon, Traverse City, Michigan

Mexican Shrimp co*cktailIt's up to you how to enjoy this co*cktail—eat it with a spoon as a chilled soup, or use tortilla chips or crackers for scooping. —Erin Moreno, Arcadia, Wisconsin

Avocado Bean DipI love guacamole! But I add beans to boost the amount of fiber in this version. It has a texture similar to hummus and is perfect for dipping chips, pita or veggies. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma

My husband wanted bacon and eggs; I wanted a BLT. We settled our standoff with an irresistible sandwich we've had many times since. —Patti Darwin, Lubbock, Texas

Lemon Cranberry Quinoa SaladAs the family cook, I appreciate how easy this is to throw together on a busy weeknight. Plus, this salad never gets boring. One of my favorite variations is to substitute diced fresh mango for the cranberries, cilantro for the parsley, and lime for the lemon juice and zest. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois

Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado SauceHeart-healthy avocado makes this pasta dish feel indulgent without being overly rich. The flavorful sauce is so luscious, you’ll think there is cream hiding in there. It’s guilt-free and dairy-free, but with a texture and consistency that’s similar to traditional cream-based sauces. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Ham and Avocado ScrambleHearty ham, creamy avocado and a hint of garlic—this winning egg dish has all the makings for a breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah