The Best Way to Keep Guacamole Fresh (2024)

Make Guacamole Ahead of Time With This One Simple Trick

By

Molly Watson

An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 08/19/19

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The Best Way to Keep Guacamole Fresh (1)

As guacamole fans know all too well, this lusciously creamy and delicious dip oxidizes—that is, it turns an unappetizing brown when exposed to air—remarkably quickly. Or, it does if proper precautions aren't taken.

Luckily, the acid in the lime or lemon juice called for in most guacamole recipes helps delay oxidation, but not enough so that you can make the guacamole ahead of time without it forming an icky-looking brown top layer. Many people recommend keeping the avocado pit in the guacamole until it's ready to serve, which does help a bit but only for a while.

So what's the solution?

The fool-proof method to keep guacamole green, even when it's made well in advance, is to simply cover it with plastic wrap. Sound simple? It is, but there's a trick to it. The key is simple: you need to press the plastic wrap directly and completely against the surface of the guacamole.

When stored this way, guacamole can be made ahead and stored in the fridge up to overnight with nary a brown spot in sight. Preparing for a party just got a whole lot easier.

Don't like to use plastic? No problem. Just use wax paper or parchment paper instead. Using these alternatives will require a tiny bit more effort – try cutting a circle out that will fit on the guacamole fairly accurately, but if you're not fussy, you can press it down and get most of it covered, sacrificing only the edges of the guac.

Tasty Guacamole Recipes to Try

Here are a few of our favorite ways to make guacamole:

Of course, the covering-the-surface trick works on any guacamole you happen to make or have (it works on leftover store-bought guacamole too!).

The Best Way to Keep Guacamole Fresh (2024)

FAQs

The Best Way to Keep Guacamole Fresh? ›

Make your guacamole, then place any uneaten dip in a resealable container. Place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the dip, lightly pressing all over to make sure the plastic is directly in contact with the entire surface of the dip. Store the guacamole in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

How to make guacamole last longer? ›

Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a barrier with the air. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap, so it is flush with the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or put the guacamole in a sealed tub.

How do you keep leftover guacamole fresh? ›

Add about a half-inch of water to the top of the guacamole. Make sure the water covers the whole surface of the batch. Put the lid or covering on the container, and store in the fridge for two to three days. When you're ready to enjoy your guac, gently pour off the water and stir before serving.

How long can you keep guacamole in the fridge? ›

From the second you crack open that avocado, it's a race against the clock before it goes brown. But with the right prep, you can make guacamole last in the fridge for three to four days. Planning on storing guacamole in the freezer? It should last for three to four months.

How to best store guacamole? ›

Make your guacamole, then place any uneaten dip in a resealable container. Place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the dip, lightly pressing all over to make sure the plastic is directly in contact with the entire surface of the dip. Store the guacamole in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Does onion keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

Therefore, storing your cut avocado with a sliced onion may also keep it from browning without affecting its flavor — as long as you make sure that the onion only remains in contact with the skin of the avocado and not the pulp.

How does Chipotle keep their guacamole so green? ›

Each panned guac gets sealed airtight with Saran Wrap,” he said. “Then it gets lidded, labeled and stored for later use. This process ensures freshness and prevents browning,” he continued.

How to keep guacamole from turning brown in 7 layer dip? ›

Fill a measuring cup with water that's cool or room temperature. Gently pour about a half inch of liquid over the top of the dip. Make sure water covers the surface completely—all the way to the container's edge. Editor's Tip: You may have heard a squirt of lemon or lime juice also keeps guacamole from browning.

Does putting the pit in guacamole keep it fresh? ›

Some people swear by this one, so we had to put it to the test. The verdict: Contrary to popular belief, adding the avocado pit to guacamole does not prevent oxidation. In fact, if it sticks out above the surface, it creates air pockets that prevent the plastic wrap from adhering tightly enough.

How do you keep guacamole fresh during a party? ›

i add a pit of an avocado to the middle of the guacamole. and i squeeze lime juice right over the top to prevent it from browning. the other thing that i do is i take some saran wrap or plastic wrap. and and i press it over and on top of the guacamole.

Is it okay to freeze guacamole? ›

You can freeze guacamole for up to 3 months. So, if you have a good avo that's about to turn, mash it, mix it with guac ingredients (here's the full recipe), drizzle with oil and freeze for when you next need a creamy avo dip hit, or want to jazz up a mid-week Mexican dinner.

How do you make guacamole fresh again? ›

Place your leftover guacamole in a storage container and pat it down firmly with a spoon so it's nice and flat on top. Add about 1/2 inch of water on top (I used cold water). Place the lid on the storage container and store it in the fridge. That's 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 tell when guacamole is bad? ›

Once opened, store-bought guacamole usually lasts 1-2 days. Homemade guacamole also usually lasts 1-2 days. You'll know it's gone bad when it has a substantial puddle of brown liquid and the layers below the surface have lost their vibrant green hue. That's when it's time to throw it out.

Can you freeze guacamole to make it last longer? ›

You can freeze guacamole for up to 3 months. So, if you have a good avo that's about to turn, mash it, mix it with guac ingredients (here's the full recipe), drizzle with oil and freeze for when you next need a creamy avo dip hit, or want to jazz up a mid-week Mexican dinner.

Why does guacamole go bad so fast? ›

"The flesh of the avocado oxidizes quickly — much like a cut apple — which changes the color. The addition of citric acid, like from lime juice in your guac can help delay this process but will not completely prevent it," she says.

How does store-bought guacamole stay green? ›

Fortunately for Wholly, the brand had already pioneered a high-pressure process that removes all the air from the container, so the batch doesn't oxidize and turn brown. But that alone didn't address the issue of how to show the guac to customers and let its visual appeal do the selling.

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