Keep Sliced Avocado Green Longer with a Simple 32p Fridge Hack

Avocados are a beloved fruit, but they often end up discarded after just a few hours due to rapid browning once sliced. This common issue contributes to significant food waste in UK households each year. Fortunately, a food storage expert has shared an easy and affordable trick to extend the freshness of cut avocados, helping reduce waste and save money.

Scott Evans from Pink Storage explains that how you store your avocado significantly impacts its shelf life. While many people refrigerate their fruit immediately, this can actually speed up spoilage after the avocado is cut. The browning you see is caused by an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO), which reacts with oxygen when the fruit’s cells are damaged during slicing.

Although browning doesn’t mean the avocado is unsafe to eat, the change in appearance and texture often results in perfectly good fruit being thrown away. Luckily, sulphur compounds can slow this enzymatic reaction. Onions naturally release these compounds, making them a simple and effective solution.

Scott recommends storing your cut avocado in an airtight container alongside a few slices of fresh onion—ensuring the onion sits next to, not on top of, the avocado. To prevent the onion’s flavor from transferring, use cling film as a barrier. This low-cost method keeps the avocado green and fresh for several extra days.

The trick has impressed many home cooks and professionals alike. One Reddit user shared, “Adding a slice of onion in the same container keeps avocado fresh and prevents browning.” A former chef added, “It doesn’t make it last forever, but definitely longer than without.”

Scott also advises against refrigerating unripe avocados. Cold temperatures slow ripening and can result in hard, flavorless flesh or uneven ripening. The fridge is best reserved for ripe fruit or after slicing to maintain texture and taste.

With onions costing around 32p each from Tesco, this simple hack is an inexpensive way to cut down on avocado waste and enjoy your fruit at its best.