The struggle is real. You’re perusing the produce section in the supermarket, eager to pick up some avocados for some homemade guacamole, as an addition to a healthy sandwich, or any of the many tasty recipes that make the avocado shine.
But when you get to the pile of glossy avocados, you find that these versatile fruits come in only two varieties – halfway rotted or hard as a rock.
Fortunately, there are a few solutions to the not-yet-ripe avocado dilemma, each method depending on how much time you have before you intend to use the avocado. These methods include:
- Ripening avocado in a paper bag
- Ripening avocado in the oven
- Ripening avocado in the microwave
If you don’t have a day or two to let your avocado ripen naturally, you can speed up the ripening process by popping your rock-hard avocado in the microwave.
However, the microwave should only be used as a last resort – as microwaving the avocado trades the signature creamy texture and subtle taste of the fruit for speed and convenience.
Read on to learn more about how to ripen an avocado in the microwave, as well as other methods that better preserve the signature taste and texture of this marvelous fruit.
How do I Ripen an Avocado in the Microwave?
Microwaving an avocado to ripen it should be used as a last resort, as this method greatly compromises taste and texture.
In many cases, microwaving the fruit ends up cooking your avocado – much like how the microwave partially cooks raw chicken breasts if you leave it in for too long.
If you’re pressed for time and absolutely must ripen your avocado in under half an hour, all you need are the following:
- Underripe avocado
- Knife
- Microwave-safe plate
- Plastic wrap (check beforehand if your plastic wrap is microwave safe, as not all varieties are)
Step 1: Cut avocado in half
Using your knife (a small paring knife will do), cut your avocado vertically into equal halves. Remove the pit.
Step 2: Wrap avocado
Tightly wrap each avocado half in plastic wrap. Place both wrapped halves on microwave-safe plate
Step 3: Set for 30-second intervals
Because the microwave compromises the taste and texture of the avocado, it’s best to set the microwave for short intervals – 30 seconds is the consensus – so you can achieve that level of ripeness without overcooking the fruit.
Step 4: Place avocado in the refrigerator
After your avocado is at the desired ripeness, unwrap both halves and place the plate in the refrigerator for between 6 – 8 minutes, more depending on how underripe the avocado was before you microwaved it.
Step 5: Run avocado under cool water
Because the microwave can end up cooking the avocado instead of ripening it, running the avocado halves under cool water helps slow the ripening process so you don’t end up with an overripe fruit.
Keep in mind that your avocado will be smelly – this is due to the ethylene gas that is released from the fruit as it ripens.
It doesn’t mean that your avocado is spoiled.
Read also >> How To Ripen Avocados Overnight Without a Paper Bag?
How Does Microwaving an Avocado Ripen It?
Avocados, like many other fruits like bananas, apples, and melons, release ethylene gas – which helps them ripen.
Plastic wrap and foil (when ripening the fruits in an oven) traps the ethylene gas when heating, speeding up the natural ripening process.
Are there Other Methods for Ripening an Avocado?
The only real benefit of using the microwave to ripen your avocado is speed. Microwaving greatly compromises a large part of what makes avocados so appealing, which are its smooth, silky texture and somewhat buttery taste.
When planning meals in which you intend to use avocados, planning ahead is key to preserving that signature avocado goodness.
Shop far enough in advance so you have time to let your avocado ripen naturally before eating. Your taste buds will thank you!
Let’s break down some other methods for ripening avocados.
Use the Oven
If you have a few hours before you want to prepare your avocado-based meal, using the oven is a good way to ripen them quickly.
It also proves the better method for quickly ripening very underripe avocados, something that the microwave doesn’t do the best job doing.
To ripen your avocados in the oven, you’ll need to:
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Vertically cut avocado into halves and remove the pit.
- Using aluminum foil, completely and tightly wrap the avocado halves – much like if you were wrapping a baked potato.
- Place wrapped avocados in a shallow dish (check beforehand if the dish you are using is oven-safe) and in the oven.
- Cook in 5 – 10 minutes intervals until your avocados achieve desired ripeness.
- After your avocados have ripened enough, unwrap the avocados and place in the refrigerator for an hour. Harder avocados will need to stay in the fridge for a little longer.
Keep in mind that ripening the avocados in the oven doesn’t completely preserve the taste and texture, as some of it will be compromised, but it’s better than using the microwave.
Paper Bag Method
This is arguably the best way to ripen your avocados because it fully preserves the taste and texture of the fruit.
While this method takes between 2 – 3 days depending on how hard and underripe the avocados are, it keeps your avocados tasting like avocados.
- Place one or more hard, underripe avocados inside a paper bag alongside an apple or banana.
- If you don’t have an apple or banana, fill the bottom of the bag with 2 inches of flour.
- Seal the paper bag tightly so that no air gets out and inspect the bag to make sure there are no holes or tears.
- Check the ripeness daily.
- After about 2 – 3 days, your avocados should be ripe.
This method works by concentrating the ethylene gas and speeding up the natural ripening process of the avocados.
Since apples and bananas also release ethylene gas to ripen, this creates more concentrated amounts of the gas inside the bag and makes the avocados ripen quicker.
If you have to use flour because you don’t have an apple or banana, the flour absorbs moisture and keeps the ethylene gas from escaping.
How to Choose the Right Avocado
It seems that the best way to keep from having to choose between convenience and compromising the taste of your avocado is to choose a fresh avocado in the first place if you plan on eating it immediately.
It’s no secret that the avocados sold at supermarkets are rock hard and underripe, as fresh avocados only last a couple of days, and most avocados are shipped long distances to get to your local store.
But if you find yourself visiting a local farmers’ market or fruit stand where the avocados are locally grown from a nearby farm, here are some tips on how to choose the right avocados.
| Underripe avocados | Bright green Rock hard About 4 – 5 days to ripen |
| Almost ripe avocados | Dark green Firm Will take 1 – 2 days to ripen |
| Ready-to-eat avocados | Dark skin Soft but not mushy Yields to pressure Ready to eat immediately |
| Overripe avocados | Mushy with deep indentations Yellow or brownish flesh Spoiled smell Skin splits with little pressure |
HOW TO RIPEN AVOCADOS FAST! Speed ripen your unripe avocado quickly in your microwave in minutes! >> Check out the video below: