Avocados are a delicious and nutritious fruit that are enjoyed around the world. When ripe, avocados have a creamy, rich texture and nutty flavor. However, once cut open, avocados tend to spoil quickly. Refrigerating opened avocado helps slow down the ripening process and extends the shelf life for several days. But how can you tell if refrigerated avocado has gone bad?
Check the color
The first thing to look at is the color. A fresh, ripe avocado should be bright green to greenish-yellow on the outside. The inner flesh should be pale green near the skin and become yellowish towards the pit. As an avocado starts to spoil, the color changes. The flesh becomes progressively darker brown, starting at the pit. Any grayish or blackish discoloration means the avocado is past its prime.
Examine the texture
A perfectly ripe avocado should have flesh that yields slightly when gently squeezed but still feels creamy and dense. As an avocado deteriorates, the flesh becomes waterlogged and stringy. A spoiled avocado will be mushy and almost slimy when poked. There should be no visible mold growing.
Smell it
Sniff the avocado. A ripe avocado has a rich, earthy smell. An overripe avocado gives off a sour, vinegary odor. If you detect anything pungent or unpleasant, the avocado has likely gone bad.
Look for oxidation
Once an avocado is cut open, oxidation causes the flesh to quickly turn brown when exposed to air. This is especially noticeable around the pit. A little browning is normal even when refrigerated. But if the flesh is very dark brown or looks grayish, stale and lifeless, the avocado is beyond saving.
Watch for shriveling skin
The skin of a ripe avocado feels firm and taut. As it starts deteriorating, you may notice the skin feels looser, and slight shriveling or wrinkling. The surface may be almost slimy. This signals the fruit tissues have broken down extensively.
Consider how long it’s been refrigerated
Avocados can be tricky because even if refrigerated, they continue ripening. In general, an avocado retains good quality only up to 5 days after being cut open and refrigerated. Any longer than that, it runs a high risk of spoiling. Even if the fruit still looks vaguely edible, err on the side of caution.
Cut into it
If you’re still unsure how fresh refrigerated avocado is, cut into it and examine the flesh. This also allows you to cut away any bad spots. Check around the pit particularly. As long as the inner flesh is uniformly greenish-yellow and has no dark blemishes, it should be fine to eat.
When in doubt, throw it out
Avocados are highly perishable after being sliced open. If your refrigerated avocado shows any signs of spoilage like an off smell, bad taste, brown or gray flesh, or very soft mushy texture, it’s best not to risk eating it. Avocado flesh spoils quickly once cut. Don’t let the hassle of having to discard a spoiled avocado tempt you into eating it if you’re suspicious of the quality.
How to store avocado to extend shelf life
To help refrigerated avocado last as long as possible:
- Leave the pit in place. This helps slow oxidation.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the exposed flesh. This prevents contact with air.
- Use lime or lemon juice. The acidity keeps the flesh from browning.
- Store in an airtight container. This protects against fridge odors.
How can you ripen an unripe avocado faster?
Techniques to speed up ripening of an unripe avocado include:
- Leave at room temperature. Heat triggers ripening.
- Place in a paper bag. This concentrates the ethylene gas that aids ripening.
- Use a banana. It gives off ethylene to hasten ripening.
- Try the oven or microwave. Low gentle heat can quicken ripening.
- Press the avocado. Gentle squeezing releases ethylene gas inside.
What are signs an avocado has gone bad?
Here are the top indicators that an avocado is spoiled and should be discarded:
- Very soft, mushy, watery texture
- Brown or black flesh
- Very dark green or gray skin
- Shriveled, dried out appearance
- Bad odor
- Off or bitter taste
- Any mold growth
Can you eat avocado with brown spots?
It’s best to avoid eating avocado with brown spots. The brown signifies oxidization and spoilage. However, if the brown areas are minimal, you can salvage the rest by cutting them out completely. Make sure the remaining flesh is smooth, creamy, and yellowish-green without blemishes.
What are the health benefits of avocados?
Avocados provide an abundance of nutrients and health promoting compounds such as:
- Healthy monounsaturated fats that support heart health
- Fiber for improved digestion and weight control
- Vitamins C, E, K, and B-6
- Potassium to regulate blood pressure
- Lutein and zeaxanthin to protect eyesight
- Beta-sitosterol to lower cholesterol
Can you freeze avocado to extend its shelf life?
Yes, avocado can be frozen to stop ripening and extend its shelf life. Select avocados that are ripe but still firm. Cut in half, remove pit, scoop out flesh. Mash the flesh or slice/dice it before freezing. To use, thaw in the refrigerator. The texture will be a bit softer after freezing.
What are some common uses for avocado?
Beyond eating raw, avocados can be used:
- In salads, salsa and guacamole
- Spread on sandwiches and toast
- Added to omelets, tacos or stir fries
- Blended into smoothies
- As the base for avocado ice cream
- Made into face masks and hair treatments
Can you tell if an avocado is bad before cutting it open?
It’s challenging to judge the ripeness of an uncut avocado. But here are a few indicators the avocado may be overripe or spoiled inside:
- Very soft all over when gently squeezed
- Dark, sunken skin that feels loose
- Dry, brown stem
- Mold or bruising on surface
- Generally old appearance
How long do cut avocados last in the fridge?
Properly stored, cut avocado will last around 5 days refrigerated. To help maximize fridge life:
- Keep pit in the flesh
- Sprinkle with lime or lemon juice
- Press plastic wrap on surface
- Store in airtight container
Do avocados ripen faster on the counter or in a paper bag?
Avocados ripen significantly faster at room temperature compared to refrigerated. For even faster ripening, place avocados in a paper bag folded over at the top. The bag traps ethylene gas released by the fruit, concentrating it and accelerating the ripening process.
Can refrigerated avocado go bad without looking spoiled?
Yes, in some cases refrigerated avocado can spoil without obvious visible signs. Even if the flesh still looks edible, harmful bacteria may be present if the avocado is stored too long. Err on the side of caution and discard refrigerated avocado after 5-7 days maximum to avoid potential foodborne illness.
Do avocados last longer refrigerated or on the counter?
Refrigeration slows down ripening significantly compared to leaving avocados at room temperature. Refrigerated avocados can last up to 5 days if stored properly in an airtight container. At room temperature, they ripen within 2-4 days. The fridge preserves freshness longer.
Can you refreeze thawed avocado?
It’s not recommended to refreeze previously frozen avocado. Thawing and refreezing causes more cellular breakdown, resulting in an even softer, mushier texture. The avocado will oxidize and spoil faster as well. Use thawed avocado within 1-2 days and avoid refreezing if possible.
What should refrigerated avocado smell like?
A ripe, fresh avocado has a rich, earthy aroma. There should be no sour, sulfurous or ammonia-like odors if refrigerated properly. An overly pungent smell indicates overripeness or spoilage. Off smells mean the avocado has gone bad and should be discarded.
Do avocados ripen better wrapped in foil or plastic wrap?
Plastic wrap is the preferred choice for ripening cut avocado. It prevents oxygen exposure and oxidation. Aluminum foil doesn’t provide a tight seal so air still contacts the flesh, resulting in faster browning. For whole avocados, paper bags work best to concentrate the ethylene gas.
Does refrigeration prevent avocados from ripening further?
Refrigeration doesn’t completely stop the ripening process but it does dramatically slow it down. Cold temperatures suppress the production of ethylene gas which controls ripening. Refrigerated avocados will continue ripening, just at a very gradual pace, extending their shelf life.
Conclusion
Knowing how to identify if refrigerated avocado has spoiled is important to avoid illness and get your money’s worth from the fruit. Check the color, texture, smell and taste and watch for shriveling skin or mold growth. Discard any avocado with dark brown or black flesh. Proper storage methods like keeping the pit in place and using plastic wrap or lime juice can prolong refrigerated avocado’s freshness. But once cut, avocados only last about 5 days before deteriorating in quality.
