How to Peel an Avocado (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Peeling an avocado isn't difficult, but you can do it in a number of ways. Try them all and choose the one that's right for you. Here's everything you need to know.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Cut the Avocado

Step 1. Wash the fruit

Rinse the avocado under cold or lukewarm water by gently rubbing the peel with your fingers.

• It is important to clean the peel well, even if you are not going to eat it. The dirt and bacteria that accumulate on it, in fact, could penetrate the pulp while you peel the avocado.
• Do not wash the peel with soap.
• Dry the avocado with paper towels or a clean towel.
• Wash your hands with soap, rubbing them for at least 20 seconds, before starting to prepare the avocado.

Step 2. Place the avocado on its side, placing it on a stable shelf

It is easier and safer to cut it this way than by placing it on the base, as it would risk slipping or rolling.

Place a towel or a silicone mat on the cutting board or counter where you will cut the avocado to prevent it from slipping

Step 3. Slice the avocado lengthwise

Use a sharp kitchen knife and cut from top to bottom.

• By keeping the avocado resting on the side, you will be able to cut it along the long side, horizontally.

  

• Make sure you hold the avocado firmly. Grab the fruit with one hand, you can help yourself with a towel to hold it even more firm.

  

• Start on the narrowest side and cut lengthwise until you reach the base of the fruit.

  

• You will not be able to break the core but you will have to cut around leaving it intact.

  

Step 4. Rotate the two halves of the fruit in opposite directions - using both hands - and separate them

• Make sure you grab both halves of the avocado well. Rotate one clockwise and the other counterclockwise. You may have to repeat the operation several times, reversing the directions in order to separate the halves.
• Once the halves are separated, the core will still be attached to one of them. Before you can peel the avocado, you will need to remove it.

Part 2 of 5: Eliminate the Core

Step 1. Remove the pit using a spoon

It is the safest way to do this.

• Gently slide the tip of the spoon between the pit and the pulp, trying to stay as close to the surface of the pit as possible.

  

• Run the spoon around the stone to slowly separate it from the pulp.

  

• Once the spoon is under the pit, lift it up.

  

Step 2. Hit the core with the blade of a sharp knife so that it penetrates it, and pull it out

You will have to hit it hard enough to penetrate it without, however, completely piercing it.

• This is not exactly the recommended method, as it is quite dangerous. Be careful and avoid cutting yourself.
• Protect your hand by using a towel to support the avocado.
• Hit the center of the pit with the knife, increasing the pressure as you penetrate it.
• Once the blade is firmly seated in the pit, tilt it left and right to free it from the pulp and lift the knife to take it out.

Part 3 of 5: Peel an Avocado Half

Step 1. Insert a spoon between the peel and the pulp, trying to get it very close to the peel

• To extract as much pulp as possible, try to slide the spoon into the dark green part.

  

• Gently push the spoon, entering the fruit to follow the outline of the peel.

  

• To separate the pulp from the peel well, slide the spoon along the edge of the avocado.

  

Step 2. Push the spoon towards the base of the pulp and lift it up

. If the pulp is completely separated from the peel, you should be able to extract it whole.

• If parts of the pulp remain stuck to the peel, you may need to remove it piece by piece.
• If you accidentally cut the peel, you may find pieces of it sticking to the pulp.

Step 3. Remove any pieces of peel stuck to the pulp, if any

To do this you can simply use your nails.

• If you can't get the peel off with your fingernails, use a small knife.
• At this point you can use the avocado as you see fit.

Part 4 of 5: Peel the Avocado Slices

Step 1. Cut the avocado into quarters or slices

• Arrange the avocado so that the cut side is facing down, it will be easier and safer to continue slicing.
• The smaller the slices, the easier they are to peel.

Step 2. Using your index finger and thumb, take the corner of the peel of a slice, barely penetrating the dark green layer of pulp

• There should be only peel between your fingers.
• This method is also called "cut and peel".

Step 3. Peel the peel slowly, like you would a banana

• If you are left handed, hold the fruit with your right hand. If you are right-handed, hold it with your left.
• Grab the upper end of the peel and slowly pull it down until it separates from the pulp.
• Peel slowly to prevent the pieces of pulp or peel from falling off.

Step 4. You could also peel off the peel with a knife

In fact, if the avocado is not very ripe, removing it with your fingers could be difficult. In this case, use a small knife by inserting the blade between the skin and the pulp.

This is not the best method, however, as you may be wasting a lot more pulp than you would be using your fingers

Part 5 of 5: Peel An Avocado Into Pieces

Step 1. Cut the pulp with a small knife

Make a series of three or four parallel and as many perpendicular lines, as if you were engraving a grid in the pulp in each of the avocado halves.

Cut the pulp down to the peel, but don't cut the peel

Step 2. Use a spoon

Slide it under the pulp until all the pieces you have cut with the knife separate from the peel.

• As you penetrate with the spoon, try to keep it as close to the peel as possible.
• To separate the pieces of pulp from the peel, pass the spoon slowly along the edge of the avocato.

Step 3. Remove the peel that may have stuck to the pieces of pulp

You can use your nails to do this.

If you can't get the peel off with your fingernails, use a small knife

Advice

• The part of the avocado with the most antioxidants is that portion of dark green pulp. Try not to waste it while you peel it.
• If the avocado is not ripe, store it in a paper bag at room temperature for two to five days. If you want to accelerate ripening, put a ripe apple in the bag as well.
• To prevent the avocado from changing color, especially if you want to keep it and eat it later, sprinkle it with a little lemon juice, lime or vinegar.