You’ve probably tossed more than a few avocados into the trash after missing that (very slim) window between being perfectly ripe and turning brown, mushy and gross. And avocados are expensive, so that’s good money you’re throwing away.
What to Do With Overripe Avocados: 10 Recipes to Try
Sauces, dressings, desserts and even drinks, we’ve got your overripe avocado needs covered.
Sauces and Dressings
The easiest way to fancy up any meal (and use up those avocados) is by making a simple sauce or dressing. Five minutes, a food processor and voila!
I knew about yogurt-based avocado dressings, but they’re always a little overwhelming with nothing to cut the rich, yogurty, buttery taste. This recipe from Chef Emeri Lagasse is my new thing. It’s light and refreshing, and it has worked on every salad I’ve put it on so far.
Appetizers and Snacks
Arguably the best types of foods.
In the same way you would turn your brown bananas into delicious banana bread, try making this avocado nut bread from Food with your overripe avocados. I love any version of veggie bread, but the added bonus here is that the bread turns out green. (I think maybe I never outgrew the whole funny-colored foods fascination — purple ketchup, where you at?)
Lunch and Dinner
Even in a main dish, the diva avocado manages to take center stage.
For this one from All Recipes, you want to let the avocado go an extra day or two past peak ripeness anyway because it will be softer and creamier. So it’s perfect for those of us who aren’t able to time an avocado intentionally.
Pasta is such a heavy meal — so it’s strictly a comfort food in my eyes. But this stuff? This glorious, light, refreshing dish from Damn Delicious puts pasta back in my regular dinner rotation.
Desserts
I know, I know… healthy foods and desserts shouldn’t mix. But just hear me out: I promise only good things lie ahead with these dessert avocado recipes.
Do I even need to say anything about this recipe from The Iron You?
Drinks
What’s next, an avocado cocktail?! Um, yes, actually.
The thing is, I’ve never met a margarita I didn’t get along with — for the evening, anyway. But I think this light and creamy margarita from Bon Appetit is about to set the bar (pun intended) pretty high.
Smoothies might just be the easiest way to disguise the texture of a mushy brown avocado. And while there’s no wrong way to make a smoothie, this recipe from Real Simple has the added bonus of using up your not-so-perfect apples, too. But really, avocados go well with just about any smoothie ingredients given their buttery, almost nutty flavor.
Consider this the beginning of the rest of your avocado-filled life — no more throwing your grocery budget in the trash.
