If you open an avocado too soon, there's a very simple trick to make sure that it still ripens with plenty of flavor. Just rub it with lime or lemon. Put it back together.
Yes, a Cut Avocado Can Continue to Ripen
According to Dr. David Obebland, a plant physiologist with the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service, avocados will ripen whether they are whole or cut.
Just put the halves back together as neatly as you can, including the pit (if you've already removed the pit, just pop it back in), and leave the avocado to ripen. Don't worry if the flesh starts to blacken a little on the cut sides – that's just where it's oxidised.
Cut an avocado in half and tightly wrap each half in plastic wrap. Microwave in 30-second bursts until soft enough to use. Submerge the wrapped avocado halves in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
Microwaving doesn't actually produce a ripe avocado, it produces a cooked one. The flesh will be softer, but not as creamy as it would be if left to ripen naturally (or using the paper bag trick). The nutty flavor, too, won't be as developed as it could be.
How to do it: First, cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Cover each half with microwave-safe plastic wrap and cook for 30-second intervals on medium-high until desired softness is achieved. Check softness between each interval.
Heating up the fruit does soften it, but it doesn't help develop the rich and creamy flavor and texture of a ripe avocado. If you're using the avocado in a salad, or as a garnish for a dish, this might be okay.
Once you've let the feeling of disappointment wash over you, you may wonder, "Can you eat an unripe avocado?" The short answer is yes — unripe avocados have the same nutritional value, and if you're not allergic to avocados, eating an unripe one is perfectly safe.
If you're trying the oven method, you don't need any prep; just wrap the avocados in foil and bake them at 200 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Technically, both the microwave and oven methods work. Heat can turn a hard avocado into a soft one.
If the avocado is not quite ripe and not hard, you can use plastic wrap and your microwave to ripen them up in two minutes flat. Cut the avocado in half vertically and remove the pit. Wrap each half in microwave-safe plastic wrap and microwave on high for two minutes.
Don't worry, this will be clear to you below.
So if your avocado is brown the day after cutting it, rest assured that it is safe to eat; just discard the brown layer and you can continue enjoying its flavor. that the avocado is overripe. So, it is also safe to eat.
Countertop, Fridge or Freezer? Until they're fully ripe, avocados should be stored at room temperature. Placing an unripe avocado in the refrigerator will slow the ripening process, but the same concept applies to ripe avocados: put them in the refrigerator to keep them at their prime ripeness for longer.
Ripen an avocado in the microwave: Slice an avocado in half, pit the avocado, then wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap. You'd then microwave the avocado in 30-second intervals until the fruit is soft enough to use. To halt the cooking process, dunk the microwaved avocados in a bowl of ice water.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, wrap the avocado in foil, and place it on a baking sheet. Depending on how hard your avocado is, it can take about 10 minutes (or longer) to soften. Allow the avocado to cool, then place in the refrigerator to cool completely before using.
Hard, bright green avocados are 4-7 days away from being ripe. Bright green avocados that are very hard when palmed are still underripe and will have 4 days up to 1 week on the counter before they're ready to eat. Don't even try to eat them, as they will be hard and waxy and lack any flavor.
The Lemon Juice Method
Well, this is a great hack for ripening an already cut avocado! Just coat both halves of your avocado with fresh lemon juice (lime will work too), then put back together and wrap tightly in cling film. Whack it in the fridge and check back the next day.
To get your avocado fix early and with maximum flavor, simply place them next to a window in the heat of the sun to help them ripen faster. This allows the fruit to ripen naturally, resulting in the soft, buttery flesh and delicious, nutty flavor we all love.
To tell if your avocado is bad, look for visible mold or a rancid odor, which indicates that it's not safe to eat and should be thrown away. While a ripe avocado will typically have a deep green or purple colored skin, a deep black skin can mean it's past its prime.
For ripe avocados, place them in your refrigerator for 2-3 days to keep them fresh. If your avocado isn't quite ripe, leave it out on your countertop. Over the next 4-5 days, your avocado will ripen and be ready for you to enjoy.
The leftover avocado half can be stored in your refrigerator for up to 3 days depending on the level of ripeness. It will get brown, but at a slower rate. When you're ready to eat, simply scrape away and discard a thin layer of the brown pulp and enjoy the rest.
Keeping avocados submerged in water for not more than 4 hours will keep the avocado from turning brown. This is the method most chefs use when preparing avocados in advance.