Can You Freeze Freshly Homemade Guacamole?
If you don’t like guacamole, maybe you haven’t found the perfect blend yet. For most of us, this delicious mashed avocado-based dip is addictive and healthy if prepared in the proper manner.
Guacamole is present at most Mexican eateries, although history shows us that the ancient Aztecs first came up with the concept. Most recipes add chopped tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, lime juice and onion to the mix.
Avocados are not only yummy but are also naturally rich in potassium and fiber and vitamins C and E. Famous stars like Kelly Ripa enjoy mashed avocado on an English muffin for breakfast.
Buying avocados for guacamole in bulk is a super idea, but what about storing guacamole for later?
Yes, You can freeze home made guacamole. It is very easy to preserve for later on. Just don’t use watery substances like tomatoes and don’t use cream cheese. Just stick to avocados with lemon and salt/pepper and add nothing more.
Can you freeze store bought guacamole?
Yes, you can freeze store bought guacamole and thank goodness for that. Whether you purchased the store bought guacamole or prepared it yourself, freezing is fine, according to the food experts.
Whatever you choose, do not use the original container the bought guacamole came in. Instead, select a plastic container with a lid that is air-tight or a re-sealable freezer bag.
If you use a freezer bag(s), just pour the contents of the store bought guacamole inside, and flatten to remove the air bubbles before zipping it closed. Then lay the filled bags down on a tray in the freezer to ensure that they freeze flat. That way, you don’t have to worry about the bags freezing wrapped around wire shelving, for example. Once frozen, these guacamole freezer bags can be stacked and leave lots of room in the freezer for other food items.
Can you freeze guacamole cups?
Yes, you can freeze guacamole cups for later and still maintain that tangy, wonderful taste. Follow the steps above by using freezer bags, but in this case, to keep the cup-sized proportions, try small freezer bags for each cup. That way, you know exactly how much of a portion you are defrosting at another time.
By the way, before freezing your store bought guacamole and/or guacamole cups, you could always add lime or lemon juice and some plain yogurt to enhance the flavors and preserve that precious smooth guacamole texture.
Do avocados freeze well?
Yes, avocados freeze well says the California Avocado Commission, and you can enjoy these healthy “fruits” all year long. When these green beauties go on sale at the market, many shoppers love to buy them in bulk.
The simplest way to freeze them is by the half avocado method, involving three basic steps. Step one, slice the avocados in half. Step two, peel them, and step three, remove their large seeds.
Next, brush the avocado halves with lemon juice, and wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Place the wrapped avocado halves into a large zip-tight freezer bag. Press out all the air, zip it closed, and place the avocado halves in the freezer. It’s that easy, and when you’re ever in the mood, remove a few avocado halves, thaw them and enjoy their abundant goodness.
You could also try the mashed avocado freezing method. Just prepare the avocados for mashing in chunks or a smoother texture, depending on your preference. Drizzle on some lemon juice and mix well. Do not add garlic or other seasonings until after thawing when you want to eat your avocado.
Then pour the mashed avocados into a plastic air-tight container or a freezer bag, and pop into the freezer for another time.
How to thaw or unfreeze frozen guacamole
Thawing frozen guacamole is not difficult to do; the only thing to remember is not defrosting at room temperature. Food experts say you would be exposing your guacamole to potential bacteria, and its consistency would not be maintained.
Proper thawing involves your refrigerator. Just take the container from the freezer, and place it in the fridge for about 24 hours.
If you’re in a real bind and need that guacamole now, then thaw your container or freezer bag in a large bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes or until it softens up and totally defrosts.
Do not thaw your guacamole in the microwave because the high heat could mar the consistency, and its shelf-life would be ruined.
