How to Mash Avocado For Your Next Meal

1Gather the Tools You Need

Before you mash avocados, prepare your tools for slicing, pitting and mashing.

You will need the following:

• Knife
• Teaspoon
• Cutting board
• Bowl

and…

Any one of the following:

• Fork
• Potato masher
• Food processor
• Avocado masher

2Slice, Pit and Peel or Scoop the Avocado

• Step 1: Wash your hands, then run warm or cool water from your kitchen faucet. Rinse the avocado under the water, rubbing gently with your fingers to remove any dirt.
• Step 2: Pat the avocado dry using a paper towel, and place it on the cutting board.
• Step 3: Hold the avocado steady on the cutting board with one hand. With the other hand, grasp your knife firmly and carefully begin slicing the avocado through the middle lengthwise. Once you hit the pit, keep the blade inside the avocado. Carefully rotate the avocado as you continue to cut until you’ve sliced all the way around the pit.
• Step 4: Put the knife down, and hold the avocado in both hands, keeping the cut in the middle.
• Step 5: Twist the avocado away from you with one hand and toward you with the other. This will result in the avocado separating into two halves.

At this point, you can either peel the avocado or scoop out the flesh.

• To peel an avocado, first cut it into quarters. Grasp the skin of an avocado quarter and gently pull it away from the flesh. If bits of skin are left, simply cut them out.

• To scoop out an avocado, take a spoon and carefully work it between the fruit’s skin and flesh. Make sure not to tear through the skin accidentally. Repeat until you’ve gotten all the flesh out of the skin.

3Mash the Avocados

Put the peeled avocado halves or scoops of avocado flesh into a large bowl. Using a fork, potato masher or a special avocado masher tool, press down on the avocado to mash it. Be careful not to apply too much pressure. Otherwise, mashed avocado might splatter outside the bowl. Repeat until you get the texture you desire.

It’s important to note that using a fork will create a thicker, chunkier texture, ideal for guacamole and other chunky dips. Meanwhile, using a potato or avocado masher will give the avocado a smoother consistency, ideal for smoothie and soup recipes.

You may use a food processor if you want your avocado mashed as smoothly as possible. This method to mash avocados is much faster than using a fork or a masher tool.

4How to Store Mashed Avocado

Unlike whole, unpeeled and unsliced avocados, mashed avocados cannot be kept at room temperature. They should be stored in the fridge.

Before you refrigerate your mashed avocado, transfer it from the bowl to a clean plastic container. Press clear plastic wrap against the top of the mashed avocado to prevent browning. Then, cover it with a lid. To prevent wastage, it’s best to make the exact amount of mashed avocado your recipe calls for.