What Are Avocados and How Can I Use Them?

Wondering what to do with avocados? This guide covers how to pick them, cook them, store them, and swap them, plus 441 recipes to put them to work.

What are avocados?

Avocados are a fruit that nobody treats like fruit. You don't eat one with a spoon for dessert; you mash it or scoop it onto something, almost always with a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt.

The variety in nearly every American supermarket is Hass, with pebbly skin that starts green and darkens to purple-black as it ripens. The flesh is pale yellow at the pit, deepening to green near the skin, and tastes like mild butter with a faint nutty edge.

Avocado turns up in more than 400 recipes here.

How to Use Avocados

Guacamole is the headline use, and the base never changes: ripe avocado mashed with lime and salt, then built out with chile and herbs, as in Guacamole De la Mixteca.

Sliced or diced, it adds cool creaminess to crunchy things. That's the logic behind avocado salads and behind tacos like the much-loved Avocado Tacos, where soft fruit plays against tortilla and acid.

Blended, avocado earns its keep as a stand-in for fat. It gives body to a cold soup or a chilled gazpacho without the heaviness of cream, and it whips into a startlingly good dessert, like this 5 Minute Chocolate Mousse.

Heat is the enemy. Past roughly 180°F (82°C) the flavor turns bitter and the texture goes grainy. If a warm dish wants avocado, stir it in off the heat and treat it as a topping, the way the Poblano & Smoked Chicken Chowder with Hominy finishes with it.

Cooking and Pairing

Avocado's mild richness is built to carry acid and heat against its fat. Lime juice does the most work: it lifts the richness and slows browning, since exposed flesh darkens within about 20 minutes without it.

Tomato is the classic partner, its acidity and juicy bite cutting through all that fat. Onion adds crunch and sharpness, which is why soft avocado against juicy tomato against biting onion forms the backbone of most guacamole.

Cilantro is the default herb in nearly every guacamole here; if you're in the camp that finds it soapy, parsley does the same job with a different flavor. Fresh chile brings the heat that plays off the cool creaminess, jalapeno being the easy choice and serrano the spicier one.

Avocado and salmon together border on cliche, but the match works: the fruit's fat meets the fish's fat and the plate feels balanced rather than heavy.

Swaps and Alternatives

There's no true substitute, since avocado's buttery texture is unusual, so match the swap to the job. For a spread on toast or in a wrap, hummus is the closest texture, creamy and salty if not quite as rich. Plain mayonnaise covers the pure fat-and-creaminess role in a sandwich.

In salads where avocado acts more like a dressing, Greek yogurt thinned with lemon gives you tang and creaminess plus some protein. Skip mashed banana entirely; the texture is close but the sweet, fruity flavor fights everything avocado is for.

Choosing and Storing Avocados

A ripe Hass yields to gentle pressure in your palm, not your fingertip, which bruises it. Rock-hard means days away; a mushy one that dents and stays dented is past saving. They feel heavy for their size when good.

Don't buy a bag of ripe ones unless you're eating them today, because several will peak within hours of each other. Buy a mix of firm and ripe, then ripen the hard ones on the counter.

A paper bag with a banana speeds ripening; check daily, because the window from ready to brown is short.

Cut avocado browns fast where air hits it. Press plastic wrap right against the surface, or just scoop what you need and leave the rest; that brown skin scrapes off and the flesh below is fine. Refrigerate a ripe whole one to buy a few extra days.

The fat is mostly monounsaturated, and one avocado runs roughly 200 to 300 calories while being one of the better potassium sources in the produce aisle.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find avocados: Avocados are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Avocados are a member of the Fruits and Fruit Juices US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

鳄梨

British (UK) term

Avocados

en français

avocats

en español

aguacates

How much do avocados weigh?

Related

Fruits and Fruit Juices

Recipes using avocados

There are 441 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Guacamole Ole

This easy party-perfect appetizer teams the flavors of Mexican and California cuisine in a lively dip.

Avocado Tatar

A quick and easy way to enjoy garlic bread with this delicious avocado tatar!

Avacado Buttermilk Sherbet

Avocado buttermilk sherbet blends ripe avocado with tangy buttermilk, honey, sugar, and lemon juice into a soft, pale green frozen dessert. Creamy without dairy fat, tart without sour. Naturally vibrant color, no food coloring.

Salad Platter

Creamy avocados, juicy-sweet tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, meaty chickpeas and salty olives are on top of a bed of lettuce or any your favorite greens. Drizzle some freshly homemade vinaigrette and serve with a few slices of good bread.

Guacamole with Yoghurt

An extra creamy rendition of guacamole with a touch of yoghurt for a bit of extra tang.

Huevos Loma Vista

A vibrant Mexican-inspired breakfast featuring creamy avocado, poached eggs, warm refried beans, and zesty salsa, served on a bed of crisp lettuce. Perfect for a quick, flavorful brunch.

Hummus Guacamole

Hummus guacamole: a Mediterranean-Mexican mash-up dip with avocado, hummus, tomato, scallion, and green chiles. Vegan, high-fiber, ready in 15 minutes. Serve with pita wedges.

Spicy Guacamole

Spicy homemade guacamole mashed with ripe avocado, fresh lime, cilantro, and garlic, then kicked up with chopped green chilies. Bright, fresh, and ready for a bowl of tortilla chips.

Favourite Guacamole

Easy guacamole with ripe avocados, green chilies, tomato, onion and a splash of Worcestershire. Smooth, tangy, ready in 15 minutes for tortilla chips and tacos.

Avocado Gazpacho Soup

Cold avocado gazpacho soup with cucumber, cilantro, lime, and a splash of hot sauce. Mexican-style chilled summer soup, no cooking required.

Chipotle Shrimp

Plump shrimp tossed with smoky chipotle butter and piled onto warm corn tortillas. Mexican-style shrimp tacos with creamy avocado and ranchero sauce in 40 minutes.

Protein/Paleo Burger

Protein paleo burger: a seasoned beef patty mixed with scallion, garlic, and serrano, stacked bunless on lettuce with a fried egg, grilled portobello, avocado, and chimichurri. High-protein, grain-free.

Marlboro Country Guacamole

Marlboro Country guacamole is a stripped-down, cowboy-style take on the classic: mashed avocado, chopped onion, pimentos, and a squeeze of lemon. Five ingredients, ten minutes, Western ranch vibes.

Avocado, Radish & Edamame Salad

A simple salad with big health credentials: avocados are an excellent source of good fats, and more recently have been shown to also inhibit inflammation when eaten in combination with foods that typically trigger it. They are also a rich source of potassium (which balances sodium to keep blood pressure levels stable) and vitamin E, an important antioxidant.

Avocado, Cornichon & Arugula salad

Avocado, cornichon, and arugula salad: creamy avocado tossed with peppery arugula, tangy cornichons, and chives in a lemon dressing. A bright, sour-edged green salad that comes together fast.

Hot Guacamole Dip

Spicy pureed guacamole dip with green chiles, hot sauce, and a splash of mayo for creamy richness. Made in a blender, chilled, and served with artichoke hearts or chips.

Guacamole Burgers

Grilled guacamole burgers topped with homemade avocado salsa, chili powder, and red pepper on toasted English muffins. A smoky, creamy Mexican-inspired burger recipe ready in 30 minutes flat.

Cheese Arepas

Manchego cheese arepas venezolanas. Crispy corn flour cakes dressed up with avocado, tomatoes, and black olives. Authentic, easy and surprisingly delicious. Learn how to make arepas ready in 20 minutes (or less).

Cold Spicy Tomato Soup with Avocado & Chives

Cold Spicy Tomato Soup with Avocado and Chives recipe

Fresh Tomato Salsa (Salsa De Jitomate Cruda)

Quick, easy and delicious. No need to run to the store. This homemade version tastes so much better, and it's good for you.

Yummy Healthy Salad

Crisp mixed greens tossed with creamy avocado, tangy feta, briny Spanish olives, and sweet bell peppers—a refreshing single-serve lunch.

Mexican Chicken Chili

Mexican chicken chili blends home-ground chicken breast with a little lean beef, simmered low and slow with warm spices and tomatoes. Topped with avocado, a dollop of yogurt, and fresh cilantro for a lighter bowl.

Refreshing Cobb Salad

Classic Cobb salad with chicken, bacon, avocado, egg, and Roquefort dressing. Composed salad with rows of colorful toppings over crisp lettuce, perfect for elegant lunches.

Edamame, Carrot, & Avocado Salad

Edamame, carrot, and avocado salad tossed in a bright orange-lime and ginger-sesame dressing with black sesame seeds and cilantro. A fresh, protein-rich vegan, gluten-free side.

Franny's Guacamole

Tex-Mex guacamole made with ripe avocados, a can of Rotel tomatoes and chiles, Worcestershire, and a chill in the fridge to let the flavors meld. Crowd-feeding party dip for chips or tacos.

Creamy Guacamole Dip

Creamy guacamole dip blends ripe avocados, grated onion, lemon juice and chili powder, sealed under a layer of Miracle Whip to prevent browning. A retro Midwestern party-tray favorite.

Citrus Avocado Dip

Fresh citrus fruits and ripe avocado bring you a very fresh taste, serve it with any kind of your favorite chips.

Best Chunky Guacamole

Freshly homemade guacamole is a great accompaniment with tortilla chips, and it is so quick and easy to make, refreshing feeling through the whole body!

Grilled Tomatillo Shrimp

Smoky mesquite-grilled shrimp with tangy tomatillo-avocado salsa verde. Succulent grilled seafood marinated in chili-lime butter, perfect for summer entertaining.

Avocado & Watercress Salad with Soy Dresssing

A light yet flavorful salad. It's refreshing, tasty and easy to make. Lots of textures and flavors. Creamy, crunchy and delicious.

Roasted Corn & Avocado Salsa

Pan-roasted sweet corn and avocado salsa. Works well with any type of seafood or on a fish taco.

Chicken Avocado Melt

Cornmeal-crusted chicken breasts topped with creamy avocado slices, melted cheese, and cool sour cream. This baked chicken avocado melt uses cumin and garlic salt for a Southwestern kick and takes just 45 minutes from start to table.

Fresh Seven-Layer Dip

So yummy, store-bought seven-layer dip can never beat freshly homemade version, no doubt.

Grilled Mahi mahi, Red Onion Couscous, Chunky Papaya Avocado Salsa

Dolphin fish, AKA Mahi mahi served on top of a red onion couscous with a fresh Papaya Avocado salsa. Wonderfully presented and delicious.

Avocado Feta Salsa - Superbowl

Super quick and easy to put together, and the salsa tastes so refreshing and delicious. Serve it with store-bought or homemade tortilla chips.

Southwestern Burgers

Southwestern burgers, ground sirloin patties seasoned with cumin and smoky chipotle, grilled with Monterey Jack and stacked with avocado, bacon, tomato, and pickled jalapenos on a toasted Kaiser roll.

Jamon Jibarito

A Jibarito is a Puerto Rican sandwich popular in Chicago. This is my adaptation of Jeff "Sandwich King" Mauro's recipe.

Amy's Mexican Chili Crockpot Soup

A tex-mex style beefy chili chock-full of beef, beans and mushrooms.

Avocado, Roasted Corn, & Cilantro Salsa

Not sure what to do with your ripe avocados? This roasted corn, avocado and cilantro salsa will satisfy your tummy with lots of deliciousness, and it's also packed with goodness. Serve it with some store-bought or homemade tortilla chips or tacos.

Gluten Free Casein Free Chocolate Avocado Muffins

Chocolate muffins packed with nutrients from an avocado you won't detect and protein from Quinoa Flakes!

Frozen Guacamole

Freezer-friendly guacamole with mashed avocado, chili peppers, onion, and white vinegar. Make it ahead and freeze, then thaw and stir in fresh tomato before serving.

Chickpea, Avocado & Feta Salad

A healthy Chickpea, Avocado, and Feta Salad that only takes 10 minutes to make. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or snack!

Avocado Chocolate Almond Brownies

Avocado in the brownies? It may sound strange, but it tastes very pleasant. Avocado adds delicious creaminess and richness to these moist and chocolaty brownies.

Spanish Chicken Salad

Spanish spiced chicken breast with fresh avocado, orange dressed boston lettuce.

Cheesy Black Bean Quesadillas

Delicious quesadillas are made with black beans and avocado.

True Texas Chili

True Texas chili with ground beef, beer, jalapeños, whole tomatoes, and a heavy chili powder hit. No beans, no fillers, classic Lone Star style chili con carne.

Loaded Super Nachos

Within about 25 minutes, this delicious vegetable nachos will be in front of you, cheesy, crunch, creamy...

African Tomato Avocado Buttermilk Soup

Pureed tomatoes and creamy avocado blend with tangy buttermilk in this refreshing cold soup topped with cucumber and sour cream.

Tex-Mex Salad

A hearty salad that's suitable as a main dish. Lots of flavors and textures throughout.

Pasta with Creamy Avocado Pesto

This avocado pesto is so creamy, tasty and refreshing. Toss the pasta with it to make a quick, wholesome and delicious week-day meal.

All 441 recipes