How to Use Avocados {50+ Avocado Recipes} - Simply Quinoa (2024)

Here's a list of 50 avocado recipes! We've got everything from toasts, salads, smoothies, brownies, guacamole – you name it. Plus my tips + tricks for avocado picking, storing, freezing and more! We're showing you how to use avocados so you never waste them again!

How to Use Avocados {50+ Avocado Recipes} - Simply Quinoa (1)

I recently took a poll on Instagram to see which ingredient my readers most need help figuring out how to incorporate into recipes. The answer was surprising: avocados! At first, I was a little shocked, but then I realized, sometimes avocados are seen more as an afterthought rather than an essential ingredient for a recipe. Sure, adding some sliced avo on top of an omelet or salad is delish, but there are so many more amazing possibilities! If you sometimes forget to use your avocados before they brown because you can't decide how to use them, you're in the right place.

Today I've rounded up over 50 delicious and healthy recipes that use avocado. We've got everything you could ever dream of: toasts (of course), muffins, smoothies, salads, guacamole + salsas, desserts, and WAY more. If using avocado in your sweets (like muffins or ice cream) sounds a little odd, just trust me, you can hardly taste it! The avocado just adds an amazingly thick, creamy texture to those kinds of recipes.

I've chosen recipes that are mostly vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, so there's something for everyone to love here! Avocados are the BEST and I hope you find lots of healthy recipe inspiration from this guide.

How to Pick Avocados at the Grocery Store

There are a few ways to tell if your avocado is ripe when you're at the grocery store. The first is to remove the stem at the very top and check the color. If it's bright green, then it's either ripe or very very close to being ripe.

Unfortunately, sometimes our avocado stems are gone. If this is the case, use the feel method.I actually use this method mostly and it works pretty much perfectly.

I also try to make sure I buy them in different stages. I'll buy one or two that are ripe that day and two more that are underripe. That way I can be sure all my avocados don't get ripe at the same time. If that does happen to you, there are a few ways to store them, or just pick from some of these amazing healthy avocado recipes we've got!

How to Know if Your Avocados are Ripe or TOO Ripe

An avocado is ripe when it's slightly tender to the touch. If it's squishy, it's overripe or bruised and if it's rock hard, it's underripe. The feel method is the best to tell how ripe your avocado is.

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How to Store Avocados (and Freeze!)

So what happens when you don't use a whole avocado at once? Is it salvageable? The answer is yes! There are a few ways that I have found to store avocados that actually keep them pretty well.

  1. Pop them in the fridge when they're ripe – this will stop them from getting any riper on the counter
  2. Buy an avocado saver – I don't have one, but have heard they work well
  3. Keep them in a Stasher bag – this is my preferred method and it works really well!
  4. Wrap them in foil or paper towel & store them in a sealed container/baggie
  5. Freeze them – slice them into chunks and freeze them for smoothies

How to Prevent Your Sliced Avocados from Browning

All of the methods above should help prevent browning. Avocados – just like apples – oxidize when they're in contact with the air. So if you have one open, the goal is to keep it sealed and away from air as much as possible. That's why wrapping can help, why those avocado savers can help and even a silicone bag. The enemy is the air, so just try to keep it tightly stored as possible!

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The Best Avocado Toast Recipes

If you know me, you know how I love my avo toasts! They are one of my favorite breakfasts to make because they're ready in less than 5 minutes, full of healthy fats and fiber, and SO delicious. The topping possibilities are endless! Let your imagination run wild with this one – but in case you do need some inspiration, here are some of my favorite topping combinations.

Healthy Avocado Toast Recipes:

  • Avocado Toast with Garlicky Kale
  • Salsa & Avocado Hummus Toast

More Avocado Breakfast Recipe Inspiration

Yes, you can bake with avocado! I actually shared in my vegan egg substitutes post that avocado can be a great substitute for eggs in vegan baking. It adds moisture and a nice texture without compromising on the flavor much. Just beware if you don't use something like chocolate, it will look a little funny! And of course, smoothies are a no brainer! If you haven't used avocado in your smoothies yet, you're missing out! There are so many delicious ways to sneak avocado into your breakfast recipes, but here are my favorite yummy ideas to try out.

Healthy Avocado Breakfast Recipes:

  • Vegan Double Chocolate Avocado Muffins
  • Mexican Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
  • Triple Berry Smoothie Bowl
  • Pumpkin Spinach Avocado Smoothie
  • Mango Matcha Green Smoothie
  • Breakfast Sweet Potatoes with Avocado (from Minimalist Baker)

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Healthy Avocado Salads

Is it even a salad if it doesn't have avocado in it?! 😉 Here are some of my favorite clean eating salads with avocados. These easy salad recipes use up so many amazing fresh ingredients like corn, tomato, blueberries, kale, and more. Take your pick! Adding avocado to your salad is a great way to add more healthy fats. The fat in your salad will make it more substantial and filling!

Healthy Banana Muffin Recipes:

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Homemade Guacamole & Salsa Recipes

The absolutely BEST way to use avocado in my opinion is guacamole. Who doesn't love some guacamole?! We can't forget about our GUAC! Here are the best simple guacamole and salsa recipes – including my famous Spicy Mango Guacamole. These recipes are great to take to any potluck or party, they're total crowd-pleasers!

The Best Homemade Guacamole and Salsas:

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Lunch and Dinner Recipes with Avocado

Luckily, there are SO many amazing ways to use avocado in your lunch and dinner recipes, it was hard to narrow it down here! These are the best of the best ways to use avocado in your meals. I've chosen healthy recipes that use avocado in pretty unique ways, and are sure to impress your family at dinnertime!

Super Healthy Avocado Lunch + Dinner Recipes:

  • Avocado Alfredo with Zucchini Noodles
  • Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
  • Raw Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodles
  • Meal Prep Vegetarian Quinoa Burrito Bowls
  • Avocado & Tofu Poke Bowls (from Veggiekins)

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Avocado Desserts

I know, I know, avocado in brownies might sound a little strange. At first, I was skeptical too. But take one bite of any of these recipes, and you'll be hooked on avocado desserts for life! Here are my very favorite ways to use avocado in your sweet treats.

Healthy Avocado Dessert Recipes:

More Healthy Avocado Recipes

Lastly, we have our miscellaneous recipes. Just a few more ideas for using up avocados in case you haven't already found something delicious to try! These are some quick & simple recipes that don't fit into the categories above, but are still absolutely drool-worthy.

Our Miscellaneous Healthy Avocado Recipes:

Your Favorite Avocado Recipes?

So…what about you!? These are just some of my favorite avocado recipes, but I'd love to hear from you. If you have any go-to ways to use avocado that we've missed here, let us know in the comments. Or comment below YOUR favorite avocado toast creation!

⇣PIN FOR LATER⇣

How to Use Avocados {50+ Avocado Recipes} - Simply Quinoa (8)

How to Use Avocados {50+ Avocado Recipes} - Simply Quinoa (2024)

FAQs

How do you eat avocado simply? ›

Avocados can be an easy addition to a light lunch or dinner.

It's as simple as adding some avocado slices or cubes to your favorite salad, or using avocado as your base for a nutritious as well as nutrient-dense salad dressing. Experiment creating your own avocado salad or salad dressing, or try some of ours!

What is the best mix for avocado? ›

You can combine avocado with green, leafy vegetables like kale and fruits like banana, pineapple, or berries. Plus, for a protein-packed beverage, try adding protein powder, Greek yogurt, or milk.

How do you cook avocados? ›

Baked avocados are simple to make. Cut an avocado in half, remove the pit, and season it with salt and pepper. Fill the center with pico de gallo and shred some cheese on top. Place the halves on a baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees until the cheese has melted and the avocado is warm throughout.

What's the tastiest way to eat avocado? ›

Here are a few of our favorite ways to eat avocados:
  1. Guacamole – You can never go wrong with this classic. ...
  2. Baked egg boats with avocado – Eggs and avocados go together like peanut butter and jelly. ...
  3. On a salad in cubes or slices – Add a special touch to your salad by adding cubes or slices of avocado to it.

How do you eat raw or cooked avocado? ›

Here are some popular ways to eat avocados raw: Sliced or Diced: Simply slice or dice the avocado and enjoy it as it is. You can season it with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to enhance the flavor. Avocado Toast: Mash or slice the avocado and spread it on whole grain toast.

Can I eat 2 whole avocados a day? ›

But can you consume too much avocado? According to Dr. Will Cole, a functional medicine practitioner, "For most people a half to two avocados a day is a great idea for a nutrient-dense clean diet.

What is the best seasoning for avocado? ›

Add fresh leafy herbs or your favorite herbed sauce: Chopped fresh basil, cilantro, dill or parsley are all good with avocado. So is a drizzle of pesto, zhoug sauce (spicy cilantro sauce), or chimichurri.

What can I put on avocado to make it taste better? ›

Flavored olive oils like garlic or lemon would also be delicious. Lemon Juice – Use fresh lemon here, not juice purchased in a bottle, which can be quite bitter. Salt and Pepper – I would avoid table salt. Use kosher salt or a flaky sea salt would work well.

How to use up avocados? ›

This creamy green fruit is delicious in unexpected ways, like cupcake frosting, tempura-fried bites and more. You can even freeze avocado and use it later in ice cream and smoothies. So, go ahead—buy a big bag (just make sure you store them correctly) and put them to use with these creamy, delicious recipes.

Does avocado taste good cooked? ›

Avocados are most often eaten raw, chopped up in a salad, spread on toast or made into guacamole. This is because they can very quickly become bitter once heated. Don't be afraid to cook avocados, however, as they are delicious when cooked 'just right.

Do you peel an avocado to eat it? ›

Whether you're mixing California Avocados into a traditional guacamole, or slicing them for a summery salad, try peeling your avocados and enjoy the goodness in every bite.

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