How to Cut Avocado (and Peel it) Perfectly!

Have you ever wondered how to cut an avocado into perfect slices for avocado toast or sushi? Or how to cut it for chunky guacamole? How about how to store cut avocado? Here’s how to peel an avocado and cut it three ways. 

Living in California my entire life, I’ve eaten a lot of avocados. And we are very lucky to have 3 haas avocado trees in our backyard. Over the years my method of cutting avocados has evolved and been perfected. Choosing and cutting avocados can be tricky if you haven’t worked with them much, so today I’m sharing all the best tips and tricks. 

Last year I shared How to Freeze Avocados, which has become a popular post. How to cut and peel avocados will be a great compliment to that post. So, what’s the best way to cut and peel avocados? It depends what you’re making! 

How to Pick a Good Avocado

Finding a perfect avocado can be hard because you never know what they look like inside until you open them. However, for the best chance at a great avocado, gently squeeze the fruit. It should give just a little without being squishy. Haas avocados like these will have skin that has turned from green to black when ripe. Read the full guide on How to Ripen Avocados here. 

• Choose an avocado on the firm side for slices and cubes you’d want to stay intact, like for sushi, Mango Avocado Salsa
• Softer avocados are ok for things where they are mashed, like Guacamole, Green Goddess Dressing, or Smoothies. 
• Soft avocados are best for babies who are just starting solids. 
• An overripe avocado will be too soft and the skin will pull away from the flesh. Don’t choose these as the inside will be brown. 

How to Cut an Avocado in Half

It’s almost always best to cut the avocado in half lengthwise, as it will give you more surface area than a crosswise cut. Cut down to the seed and all the way around. 

Next, gently twist the avocado halves apart. The seed will almost always remain stuck in one side. 

How to Remove the Seed 

Hold the avocado half with the seed in your bottom hand, protecting your hand with a kitchen towel in between it and the avocado. 

Use a chef’s knife to firmly whack the seed. Gently turn the knife and lift and the seed should come right out, stuck onto the knife. Carefully remove the seed from the knife and either discard it, or, if making guacamole, keep it and leave it in the guac as it will help keep it fresher. 

At this point you can sprinkle with some salt and pepper and eat it, as my kids often did when they were little. Or fill with something delicious and make Stuffed Avocados. 

How to Peel an Avocado

Peeling avocados isn’t necessary, and I rarely do it if I’m making something like guacamole. However, when I want perfectly sliced or cubed avocado for salad, avocado bruschetta, tacos, or fries, I peel. 

Peeling avocados, rather than scooping out the flesh, creates a much cleaner edge, as you can see above. Once the avocado is halved and pitted, place it cut-side-down on a cutting board. The skin should peel right off. If there are any bits that stick, use a paring knife to cut away. 

How to Cut an Avocado into Slices

Use a sharp knife to slice straight down through the peeled, halved, pitted avocado. 1/4-1/2 inch thickness is good for most uses. You can cut crosswise as seen in the image above, or lengthwise for longer pieces. Or, you can cut into cubes if you prefer. 

How to Cut Avocado for Guacamole 

As mentioned above, I wouldn’t go to the trouble of peeling and perfectly slicing an avocado for guacamole or salsa. The spoon scoop method works just fine. I like to score the avocado halves into cubes before scooping out into a bowl for guac. I also use this method for topping my favorite Instant Pot Chili Recipe. 

How to Cut Avocado for Sushi

For sushi, on the other hand, you’ll want to use a nice firm just-ripe avocado and use the peel and slice method shown above and below in the recipe card. Sushi is best with avocado that isn’t too mushy. I like to cut long, lengthwise slices that are about 1/2″ thick for sushi. 

How to Cut an Avocado into Rings 

This is such a fun way to cut avocado for sandwiches and burgers. When I posted this Lentil Sloppy Joe recipe everyone was asking, “How did you cut the avocado like that?” 

To make rings, cut the avocado in half crosswise, then remove the seed the same way.  Next, peel the avocado halves and cut crosswise into rings. You’ll get a better idea of how to do this by watching the video. 

How to Store Cut Avocado 

Avocado turns brown quickly once cut and exposed to air. You can slow this process by storing slices, chunks, or halves in water. 

• Place avocado slices or chunks in a bowl and cover with filtered water. Refrigerate up to 2 days. 
• Place an avocado half cut-side-down in a shallow dish of water.