Key Takeaways
- Storing avocados in water can encourage bacteria growth and lead to foodborne illnesses.
- Citrus acid like lemon or lime juice is a better preservative that can be used on the cut surface of avocados.
- Water infused with fruits or vegetables should be consumed within two hours if they were left at room temperature.
The viral TikTok trend to preserve uneaten avocados in water is not safe, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned.
Some users on TikTok suggested that submerging an uncut avocado in water and keeping it in a sealed container in the fridge will keep the avocado fresh for weeks. The hack was an avocado lover's dream come true, since the fruit tends to have a short lifespan.
Unfortunately, this method might create food-borne germs such as listeria and salmonella and lead to serious illnesses.
"The FDA does not recommend this practice.The main concern is with the possibility that any residual human pathogens that may be residing on the avocado surface may potentially multiply during the storage when submerged in water," an FDA spokesperson said in a statement.
A 2018 FDA research found that 17.73% of 1,615 avocado samples contained Listeria monocytogenes on their skins. The bacteria may also infiltrate into the pulp during refrigerated storage.
There are better ways to store avocados, according to Liz Shaw, MS, RDN, CPT, a registered dietitian and author. You can rub a little citric acid like lemon or lime juice on the cut surface of an avocado, and wrap it tightly in beeswax before storing it in the fridge, Shaw said.
Oxidation occurs when the avocado flesh is exposed to air, so this method can minimize the fruit's exposure to oxygen, she added. Your avocado may develop a thin brown layer that is easy to scrape away when you are ready to eat it.
You can also remove the avocado skin completely, spritz it with lemon juice, wrap the flesh, and then store it in an airtight container in the freezer. “When ready to use, either pop into your smoothie or let defrost on the counter for a perfect guacamole in no time," Shaw said.
Does Infused Water Pose a Health Risk?
If storing avocados in water is dangerous, what about water that's infused with produce or herbs?
While there have been no documented foodborne outbreaks with infused water, there are still risks in combining fresh produce with water.
If you leave water infused with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables at room temperature for over two hours, you should discard the beverage, Shaw suggested.
If you are concerned about the sliced lemon or cucumbers that you toss into your water bottle in the morning, you should be safe as long as your drink is at a temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Keeping ice in your water bottle can help maintain this desired temperature.
Unlike avocados, some vegetables such as carrots, celery, and asparagus would do well when submerged in water and have a longer shelf life. Regardless of the type of produce or herb, they should always be washed well before they are added to the water.
What This Means For You
Avoid storing avocados in water as it can encourage bacteria growth. As an alternative, you can add lemon or lime juice to the cut surface of an avocado, seal it with a food wrap, and store it in the fridge.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
By Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, CLEC
Manaker is a registered dietitian, lactation counselor, and author. She was named an emerging leader in women's health by the National Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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FAQs
Take these steps to slow down that oxidation process and keep your avocado fresh. Add acidity. The acid in lemon juice or lime juice can help preserve your cut avocado.
How to keep avocados from going bad in water? ›
A little agua goes a long way in keeping your open, ripe avocado fresh! Drowning your avocado in water to keep it fresh? You bet! Submerge your open, ripe avocado in water, cover it, and put it in the fridge to keep it ripe for up to three days!
Can you get Listeria from storing avocados in water? ›
According to the FDA, storing avocados in water is considered unsafe. "The FDA does not recommend this practice," an FDA spokesperson tells Well+Good. "The main concern is with the possibility that any residual human pathogens—like Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.
Does lemon juice help preserve avocado? ›
Acidulants, such as citric and ascorbic acid found in lemon juice, help lower the pH of avocados and decrease the enzymatic activity, keeping them from turning brown ( 1 , 3 ). Therefore, squeezing a little lemon juice on top of your cut avocado before storing it could help delay browning.
Does putting avocados in water in fridge keep them fresh longer? ›
A recent TikTok trend had us all believing this problem was solved. All you do is submerge the cut avocado in a sealed container full of water in the fridge for a perfectly green avocado days later. But, after further investigation, we can't recommend it.
How do restaurants keep avocados from turning brown? ›
The main goal is to prevent oxygen from touching the avocado's flesh. Plastic wrap is a practical, albeit not foolproof way to slow down the natural course of fruit aging. The trick is to make sure the plastic wrap is sealed flush with the flesh.
How to wash fruit to avoid Listeria? ›
Under running water, rub fruits and vegetables briskly with your hands to remove dirt and surface microorganisms. If immersing in water, a clean bowl is a better choice than the sink because the drain area often harbors microorganisms. Produce with Page 2 a hard rind or firm skin may be scrubbed with a vegetable brush.
How do you prevent Listeria in avocados? ›
Foodsafety.gov recommends that consumers “wash all produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.” The site also advises, “Even if you plan to cut the rind or peel off the produce before eating, it is still important to wash it first so dirt and bacteria aren't transferred from the knife onto ...
Is it safe to store avocados in water in FDA? ›
Is storing avocados in water safe? To be clear, the answer to this question is a definite NO — an opinion shared widely by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after the avocado storage hack began trending on social media. It's not uncommon to find bacteria on the bumpy outer skin of an avocado.
How to preserve avocado for months without a fridge? ›
Cut a lemon in half so that you can juice it. Squeeze it over your avocado halves, making sure to coat the exposed fruit flesh with the lemon juice. Gently place your avocado halves in your ziplock bag. Squeeze as much air out as possible and seal the bag.
Ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone, can accelerate ripening and spoilage, making it important to store avocados away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas; unless you want your avocados to ripen faster.
Can I freeze avocados whole? ›
Can You Freeze Whole Avocados? If you don't fancy pre-mashing avocados and mixing them with lime juice, you can freeze whole avocados. Bear in mind that the flavor, texture and color of the avocado will change in the freezer. The avocado will turn slightly grey-brown and become mushier.
Can you preserve avocado with vinegar? ›
The best way to store after cutting
You can also rub the cut side of an avocado with lemon or lime juice, or apple cider vinegar and store it in an airtight container for up to a day. The avocado won't be quite as green, but it'll still taste good. Do NOT store the fruit cut-side down in a bowl of water.
How do you make avocados last longer in water? ›
The method seemed simple enough: You're supposed to submerge whole avocados in cool water in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. Leave the container there until you're ready to use. Take it out, dry off the avocados, and enjoy.
How do you prolong the shelf life of an avocado? ›
Until they're fully ripe, avocados should be stored at room temperature. Placing an unripe avocado in the refrigerator will slow the ripening process, but the same concept applies to ripe avocados: put them in the refrigerator to keep them at their prime ripeness for longer.
How to keep avocados from ripening too fast? ›
Placing an unripe avocado in the refrigerator will slow the ripening process, but the same concept applies to ripe avocados: put them in the refrigerator to keep them at their prime ripeness for longer.
Does olive oil stop avocados from going brown? ›
In one experiment, researchers found that olive oil helped keep the avocado from turning brown for about four days when kept in an air-tight container. It's suggested to use extra light olive oil, as it has less color and is lighter in flavor, producing a mild taste that doesn't overpower the avocado.
Which way do you put avocado seeds in water? ›
The toothpicks should be supporting the seed so that the pointed half is out of the water and the bottom half is in the water. The sprouting tip will come out of the pointed end, so be sure the flat end is immersed in water.
How long will an avocado last once cut? ›
To store a leftover avocado half, leave the skin and pit to help limit the surface area exposed to air. Sprinkle the exposed flesh with lemon or lime juice and tightly cover it with clear plastic wrap. The leftover avocado half can be stored in your refrigerator for up to 3 days depending on the level of ripeness.
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