How to Make Guacamole in Advance (and Avoid the Dreaded Browning) (2024)

FAQs

How to Make Guacamole in Advance (and Avoid the Dreaded Browning)? ›

The technique: Pressing the peels flat against the guacamole surface shields the dip from the air. If air can't reach it, browning can't occur. The results: Good luck keeping the peels flat.

The technique: Pressing the peels flat against the guacamole surface shields the dip from the air. If air can't reach it, browning can't occur. The results: Good luck keeping the peels flat.

Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a barrier with the air. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap, so it is flush with the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or put the guacamole in a sealed tub.

Use a spoon to flatten the surface of the dip and remove any air bubbles. Add about a half-inch of water to the top of the guacamole. Make sure the water covers the whole surface of the batch. Put the lid or covering on the container, and store in the fridge for two to three days.

Fill a measuring cup with water that's cool or room temperature. Gently pour about a half inch of liquid over the top of the dip. Make sure water covers the surface completely—all the way to the container's edge. Editor's Tip: You may have heard a squirt of lemon or lime juice also keeps guacamole from browning.

The main goal is to prevent oxygen from touching the avocado's flesh. Plastic wrap is a practical, albeit not foolproof way to slow down the natural course of fruit aging. The trick is to make sure the plastic wrap is sealed flush with the flesh.

I simply squeezed the juice from half a lemon over the surface of the prepared guacamole. I checked for browning after one hour, one-and-a-half hours, and two hours. Results: I couldn't believe how well this worked!

The key is simple: you need to press the plastic wrap directly and completely against the surface of the guacamole. When stored this way, guacamole can be made ahead and stored in the fridge up to overnight with nary a brown spot in sight.

2. Olive Oil. Rather than reacting with the browning enzyme, a thin layer of olive oil acts can act as a barrier between the dip and the air. If oxygen never reaches your guacamole, it can't turn brown.

To keep the leftover guacamole from browning, the employee rips off a sheet of plastic wrap, then presses it all the way down to the surface of the guacamole, knocking out the air that would be in the container if it was just sealed with a lid.

Does putting an avocado pit in guacamole keep it from turning brown? ›

Some people swear by this one, so we had to put it to the test. The verdict: Contrary to popular belief, adding the avocado pit to guacamole does not prevent oxidation. In fact, if it sticks out above the surface, it creates air pockets that prevent the plastic wrap from adhering tightly enough.

Although brown guacamole isn't the most appealing, it's completely safe to eat (as long as you've stored the guacamole in the refrigerator, and it isn't more than three days old). "While a bit off-putting to look at, brown guacamole is totally safe," confirms Food Network's nutritionist, Dana Angelo White, MS RD ATC.

The key is simple: you need to press the plastic wrap directly and completely against the surface of the guacamole. When stored this way, guacamole can be made ahead and stored in the fridge up to overnight with nary a brown spot in sight.

The Water Method: Chefs and cooks store their cut avocados for up to four hours in a water bath as they need to prepare avocados in advance for restaurant service. The cold water keeps the avocado away from oxygen, so it should work.