The guacamole trick we wish we’d learned years ago (2024)

This avocado hack will make you wonder what else you’ve been doing wrong in your life.

After learning about this incredibly handy tip for storing avocado, I’m questioning whether I’ve been breathing wrong this entire time.

It seems so obvious, and yet too often leftover guacamole has been discarded, tossed aside, jettisoned, trashed or left to turn a nasty shade of brown in the fridge (where, let’s face it, it’ll be left to die an ugly death). What a waste!

Can you freeze guacamole?

Yes, yes, you can. If you haven’t been freezing guacamole, today’s a changing day in your life. Not only can you rescue guacamole at the end of a party (or when you’ve run out of corn chips too early), but you can also make guacamole in advance and pull it out of your freezer for those moments when spontaneous visitors pop by. And who doesn’t love guac? Not only is it easy-to-make vegan-friendly (just hold the yoghurt or sour cream) and gluten-free, but it’s a super toast topper, a must-have on Mexican meals and even works well when dolloped on a baked potato (hello, budget-friendly dinner!).

And while avocado prices have dropped, here’s your chance to stock up on guac.

How do you freeze guacamole?

With ease! Once you’ve combined your guacamole ingredients – we use 2 avocados (pushed through a metal grate to make things even easier), 1/2 a red onion that’s been finely chopped, 1 crushed garlic clove, 2 tablespoons of natural yoghurt, the juice of 1/2 a lime and a splash of Tabasco sauce (to season, optional) – all you need to do is pop the guacamole into an airtight container, drizzle with olive oil to prevent ice crystals from forming on top, close the lid and freeze! Ta-da!

How long can you freeze guacamole for?

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. Thank us now or later, we don’t mind.

Less food waste, more holy guacamole? Cue Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba.

And, did you know you can freeze avocados too? Here’s the scoop.

More tips on freezing food

The guacamole trick we wish we’d learned years ago (2024)

FAQs

How to avoid guacamole from turning black? ›

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.

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What is the original meaning of the word guacamole? ›

The word guacamole originated in Latin American Spanish. It comes from the Nahuatl word ahuacamolli, which translates to “avocado sauce.”

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Is it okay to eat day old guacamole? ›

Although brown guacamole isn't the most appealing, it's completely safe to eat (as long as you've stored the guacamole in the refrigerator, and it isn't more than three days old). "While a bit off-putting to look at, brown guacamole is totally safe," confirms Food Network's nutritionist, Dana Angelo White, MS RD ATC.

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What to put in guacamole to keep it from turning brown? ›

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. Put it in the fridge.

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Does olive oil prevent guacamole from turning brown? ›

Method: Brushing the Surface of the Guacamole with Olive Oil

Smoothing the surface of the guacamole and then brushing olive oil on top is thought to prevent browning.

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How does commercial guacamole stay green? ›

But as every guac fan knows, the stuff has a tendency to look nasty in a hurry, a problem only compounded when the product is made in advance. 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.

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Will guacamole stay fresh overnight? ›

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.

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How does Chipotle keep their guacamole from turning brown? ›

“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.