If you know how a perfectly ripe avocado should look and feel, what can you do to speed up the ripening process if your avocado isn’t quite there yet? Typically, avocados take around four to five days to ripen, but these five expert tips can help you hasten the process.
One of the most popular and effective methods is putting the avocado in a brown paper bag. Christina Gutiérrez-Williams, senior director of culinary research and development at Daily Harvest, calls this her “favorite foolproof method.” To ripen an avocado quickly, she suggests placing it in a brown paper bag with another fruit, such as an apple or banana. “Then crimp the bag to seal. The fruits release ethylene gas which helps speed up the ripening process, and the paper bag traps the gas in, further accelerating it,” Gutiérrez-Williams explains.
Another method involves wrapping avocados in aluminum foil and baking them in the oven, much like you would a baked potato, says Lena Bakovic, MS, a registered dietitian-nutritionist specializing in general health and wellness. “This process also releases ethylene gas,” she notes. For this technique, preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the avocados for 10 to 15 minutes. “Remember to keep checking on them every three to five minutes or so,” Bakovic advises.
If you don’t have access to an oven, a microwave can also do the trick. For this method, use plastic wrap instead of foil, as it is microwave safe, Bakovic cautions. Pierce the avocado skin with a fork and microwave it in 30-second intervals until it reaches the desired softness. “The microwave’s heat speeds up the ripening process by breaking down the avocado’s cell walls faster,” she shares.
Another option is using a bag of rice. Kat Lieu, founder of Subtle Asian Baking and author of Modern Asian Kitchen, suggests adding the unripe avocados to a bag of rice, ensuring the rice completely covers the fruit. “As the avocado releases ethylene gas during the ripening process, the uncooked rice traps the gas, encouraging the avocado to ripen faster, typically within two to three days,” Lieu explains.
With these expert tips, you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly ripe avocados in no time, ensuring your meals and snacks are always fresh and delicious.
