How to Store Guacamole

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Guacamole is a delicious, avocado-based dip used in Mexican cuisine. If your guacamole gets in contact with the air, it will turn brown because of oxidization. To prevent this, use a layer of plastic wrap and an air-tight container. In addition, you can try using water or lime juice to keep your guacamole fresh. Ensure your container is air-tight, and your guacamole will stay fresh in either your fridge or freezer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Refrigerating Your Guacamole

1
Use an air-tight container to store your guacamole in the fridge. To prevent your guacamole from turning brown, always use an air-tight container. This way, the air cannot reach your guacamole and start the oxidation process.^{[1]
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- For example, use a Tupperware container, a Chinese food take-out container, or a bowl with secure lid.
2
Use a spoon to press down on your guacamole, packing it into the bowl. After you mix up the guacamole, spread it out in your container. Press the back of the spoon against your guacamole to pack it in.^{[2]
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- This prevents air from reaching the inside of your guacamole.
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3
Add a squirt of extra lime juice to keep it fresh. The citric acid in lime juice lowers the pH of the guacamole, which slows down the oxidation process. This prevents the guacamole from turning brown. Mix the lime juice into your guacamole so it is evenly distributed.
- You can either squeeze a wedge of fresh lime into your bowl, or you can pour 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of lime juice from a bottle.
- You can use lemon juice if you don’t have lime juice, though the flavor will be slightly different.
4
Pour ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) of water into your bowl if you don’t have lime juice. Since guacamole is dense, the water will sit on top, acting as a barrier against the air. After your guacamole is packed into the bowl, pour a small amount of water over top.^{[3]
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- If you do this, pour out the water before you serve it, then stir up your guacamole.
5
Cover your guacamole with plastic wrap before you put the lid on. Rather than covering the top of your bowl, cover the guacamole itself with the plastic wrap. Rip off a section about 2 times the size of your bowl, and stretch the plastic over the container. Then, push the plastic inside the bowl so it rests directly on top of the guacamole.^{[4]
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- You can tuck the edges of your plastic wrap around the top of the bowl.
6
Secure your lid in place before you put the guacamole in the fridge. Your lid acts as a second layer of defense against the air. Press down on the edges of your lid to make sure it is completely on. Then, store your guacamole in the fridge for 3-5 days.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Freezing Your Guacamole

1
Avoid seasoning your guacamole before you freeze it. Freeze just your avocado purée. Adding things like jalapeño, tomato, onion, cilantro, or chili pepper can make your guacamole watery when you thaw it out. Wait until you thaw your guacamole, then mix in your favorite toppings. ^{[6]
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- Adding fresh ingredients also brings your guacamole back to life.
2
Fill up large freezer bags if you want an easy-to-serve option. First, place a bag inside of a glass jar, and fill up the jar with guacamole. Take the bag out of the jar and continue filling the bag until you reach the top. Remove as much air as you can, and seal up the bag. Flatten the bag on your table, then stack it onto a cookie sheet.^{[7]
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- The glass jar makes it easy to fill up the bags and pack in guacamole as tightly as possible.
- Guacamole frozen in bags will thaw much quicker than in jars.
- To serve, you can simply cut the tip of the bag with scissors and squeeze out the guacamole.
3
Use wide-mouth, pint-sized mason jars to easily freeze your guacamole. Pour a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil on the sides of your jar to prevent any browning. Then, fill up the jar with guacamole, leaving at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of space at the top. This accounts for any expansion as the guacamole freezes. Pour in about 1–2 tsp (4.9–9.9 mL) of olive oil to cover the top. Then, use a spoon to smooth the surface and get rid of any air bubbles.^{[8]
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- Only use jars with completely straight sides. If there are grooves on the side, it will be hard to get your guacamole out.
4
Place your guacamole inside the freezer until to you want to serve it. You can stack your freezer bags on top of each other, and you can place your jars side by side. Put your guacamole in the fridge 1 day in advance if you used freezer bags. Move your guacamole to the fridge 2 days in advance if using glass jars.^{[9]
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- If your guacamole is not completely thawed, you can place the jar or bag in a bowl of room temperature water for 30 minutes or so.
- Your guacamole will stay fresh in the freezer for 2-4 weeks.