Yes, 'cados seem to go from underripe to overripe in seconds. But what are the brown spots in avocado flesh? Is your avocado is past its prime?
This Is What Causes Brown Spots on Your Avocados
Updated on Mar. 29, 2023
I’m of the opinion that most things taste better with avocado in the recipe. If you’re a fan of the superfood like me, you probably already know just how good the green fruit—yes, fruit—is for your health. From supporting heart function with healthy fats to being high in fiber, potassium and over 20 different vitamins and minerals, the health benefits of avocados are abundant.
The rich, creamy taste is great too, which makes it even more disheartening when unfortunate brown spots in avocado flesh threaten to overturn your entire recipe for guacamole.
Usually, food turning brown indicates it should be tossed. But if you notice brown specks and streaks in the green, creamy part of an avocado, don’t throw it out.
What Are the Brown Spots in an Avocado?
You can attribute the brown spots in your avocado to science in the works, not mold or insects.
Like any other fruit that was once part of a living plant, avocados have an intricate cellular system used to transport and store things like nutrients, water, and sugar. When something is out of whack, vascular browning happens, and the invisible transport systems shut down, change color and become visible to the eye.
Usually, the explanation for vascular browning is found in your fridge. Harsh, cold temperatures can weaken the cells in an avocado’s tissue, so even after a few days of ripening at room temp, the airways begin to shut down as the cells in the tissue die.
Vascular airways aside, here are some surprising facts about avocados you probably didn’t know.
Are My Avocados Still Safe to Eat?
Probably. Just be sure to do a taste test before you scoop the whole thing into your bowl of guac.
Though they don’t look appetizing, avocados with slight vascular browning are usually harmless. With time, as the browning gets heavier or turns black, it’s best to toss the fruit, as a rancid taste comes with dying vascular cells.
If your avocados are ready to go, here’s how to keep your fresh guacamole from browning.
How to Eat Avocado with Every Meal
Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado SauceHeart-healthy avocado makes this pasta dish feel indulgent without being overly rich. The flavorful sauce is so luscious, you’ll think there is cream hiding in there. It’s guilt-free and dairy-free, but with a texture and consistency that’s similar to traditional cream-based sauces. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado SauceI’m always looking for lighter recipes to take on tailgate outings—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the pregame festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut
Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado SalsaA delightful and tasty rub makes this quick recipe fantastic. While the fish is sitting to allow the flavors to blend, you can easily assemble the salsa. My family loves this! —Laura Fisher, Westfield, Massachusetts
Avocado Scrambled EggsBacon and avocado blend nicely in these special eggs. They’re easy and perfect for breakfast. But I'll also whip them up after an evening meeting or football game—or any time friends drop by for coffee. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Avocado SmoothiesHealthy smoothie recipes are a great way to get extra vitamins and minerals. Add your favorite fruits or even leafy green veggies, depending on what you have on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
California RollThese taste as good as any restaurant or store-bought California rolls. Plus, this is one of the easiest sushi recipes to make! For the best results, use sushi rice to ensure the right sticky consistency. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Avocado Deviled EggsWhen you're in the mood for some good finger food, try these sinfully delicious avocado deviled eggs. They are a cinch to fill and make a popular contribution to a potluck or brunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Avocado WrapI came up with this chicken avocado wrap while trying to figure out what to make for lunch one day. The recipe is now a favorite at my house. —Shiva Houshidari, Plano, Texas
Avocado Egg Salad ToastI had a surplus of avocados after purchasing too many for an event. A few days later, I was making egg salad sandwiches for lunch and had the fantastic idea to use avocado to bind it together instead of traditional mayo. Not only was this version unbelievably delicious but the healthy fats in the avocado make this a much better option than the traditional mayo-laden version. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Salad with AvocadoOur favorite salad with avocado features juicy tomatoes, toasted walnuts, red onions, creamy avocados and spring mix tossed with a zesty lime dressing. Made in only 25 minutes, it’s the perfect quick side dish or light lunch.
Avocado TacosTacos just got even more exciting! These juicy, flavorful, easy and healthy tacos are for those who are huge fans of avocado. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Avocado SalsaThis avocado salsa is smooth, cool and downright refreshing. Scoop it with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak—or just eat it on its own!
Creamy Avocado ManicottiI am always looking for creative ways to make vegetarian dinners a little different. I grow my own basil, and avocados are a versatile favorite, so this recipe is a fantastic way to make manicotti that's a little unusual. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio
Mexican Layered SaladHere’s another popular dish I like to prepare in advance, adding the cheese and chips just before serving. It’s a slightly different version of the traditional layered salad.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Chicken TacosThis chicken taco recipe features a light, refreshing salsa made from avocados and corn. The chicken takes on the perfect combination of seasonings as you cook this dish; you may even want to make extra because it's just that good.
Grilled Steak Salad with Tomatoes & AvocadoMy family loves a good steak dinner, but with busy schedules, I'm often thinking about ways to put new and simple twists on things. This salad is flavored with the freshness of lemon and cilantro and is one of my husband's favorite weeknight dishes. —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia
Avocado Goat Cheese TrufflesGive guests the VIP treatment with luxurious truffles you can make in your own kitchen. The goat cheese is mild, and red pepper heats up each bite just a bit. Crackers are the perfect accompaniment. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Tomato & Avocado SandwichesI'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey
Shrimp Salad with Cilantro DressingThis pretty salad has such authentic flavor, you'll think you're sitting at a beachside cantina in Acapulco. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Mexicali Quiche with Avocado CrustNew Mexican cuisine is my favorite, and this quiche uses an avocado crust filled with many delicious ingredients. Top with chopped cilantro for garnish. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Baby Kale Salad with Avocado-Lime DressingWe pull a bunch of ingredients from our garden when we make this baby kale salad with zucchini and sweet onion. The yogurt dressing layers on big lime flavor. —Suzanna Esther, State College, Pennsylvania
Chicken Taco SaladTen minutes of prep are all you need to make this delicious chicken taco salad. The slow cooker does the rest of the work, creating a satisfying and easy-to-make meal even on the busiest of weeknights.
Chipotle Lime Avocado SaladI use my music to promote a healthy lifestyle, like eating your veggies. This bright salad is loaded with avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes and a little heat factor. —DJ Cavem, Denver, Colorado
Greek Sausage Pita PizzasI turned my favorite sandwich into a pizza. It's perfect for lunch or dinner, but don't forget it when you're having a bunch of people over—it makes a fantastic appetizer, too. —Marion McNeill, Mayfield Heights, Ohio
Avocado Fruit Salad with Tangerine VinaigretteOn long summer days when we just want to relax, I make a cool salad with avocado, berries and mint. The tangerine dressing is refreshingly different. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Southwestern Eggs Benedict with Avocado SauceI frequently make this spicy spinoff of classic eggs Benedict for my husband, who loves breakfast. I like the heat from the jalapenos and also that the avocado sauce is a healthier substitute for the usual hollandaise sauce. —Kara Scow, McKinney, Texas
Potato Salad with Kalamata-Hazelnut VinaigrettePotato salad tossed with vinaigrette has a lighter taste than traditional mayo versions. I add velvety avocado and hazelnuts for cool texture and crunch. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Grilled Mango & Avocado SaladA big hit with my family, this light salad is so easy to make! The healthy option of mango and avocado is simply the best combination you could serve. —Amy Liesemeyer, Tucson, Arizona
Skinny Cobb SaladThis skinny version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and use all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida
Shrimp Avocado SaladThis salad can be served as a cool and satisfying dinner or lunch. The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados mixed with the crisp shrimp salad is heavenly. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Bacon SaladThis bacon salad combines crispy romaine, smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado, all tied together with a tangy homemade dressing. It's perfect for a light lunch or as a fresh, flavorful side dish.
Avocado QuesadillasAvocados give quesadillas some nutritional value and, fortunately, my son likes them. Thinly slice the avocado, and add chicken or beef for extra protein. —Debbie Limas, North Andover, Massachusetts
Salmon BurgerThis excellent salmon burger, layered between a heap of fresh coleslaw and a honey mustard spread, will take your grilling game to the next level.
California Club PizzaYou can use your favorite store-bought pizza dough or make your own for this West Coast-inspired pie topped with tomato, avocado and sprouts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Cakes with Avocado Mango SauceHere's a fabulous appetizer for your next party. Or serve these chicken cakes for dinner with a side of hot rice and your favorite vegetable. —Rachael Nodes, La Barge, Wyoming
Avocado Fruit SaladI'm glad a friend gave me this delicious recipe, featuring four kinds of fruit as well as avocado. A light honey-lemon dressing enhances the already tasty flavor of the produce. My family loves it and so do I! —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
Avocado & Artichoke Pasta SaladA squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro and a little avocado make this a creamy and zingy pasta salad. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Chicken with Peach-Avocado SalsaThis super-fresh dinner is pure summer—juicy peaches, creamy avocado, grilled chicken and a kick of hot sauce and lime. To get it on the table even quicker, make the salsa ahead of time. —Shannon Roum, Cudahy, Wisconsin
No-Fuss Avocado Onion SaladMy mother, Nena, grew up in Cuba and learned many styles of cooking. She had a knack for making something incredibly simple taste amazing. This salad is proof. By itself, the dressing is really tart, but add the avocados and onions and it's the perfect complement. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Avocado Grilled CheeseWho doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich? This version kicks it up a notch with avocado, tons of cheese and extra-crispy bread. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Cornmeal Catfish with Avocado SauceWhen I was growing up in California, my mother made catfish quite often, and it was always a hit. Now I cook it with my own twist. When only frozen catfish fillets are available, I thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, and they work just as well. —Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon
Salsa & Scrambled Egg SandwichesPower up with a breakfast that keeps you going all morning long. In my humble opinion, this sandwich tastes so much better than anything that comes from a drive-thru! —Marcia Conlon, Traverse City, Michigan
Avocado Bean DipI love guacamole! But I add beans to boost the amount of fiber in this version. It has a texture similar to hummus and is perfect for dipping chips, pita or veggies. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma
Bacon, Egg & Avocado SandwichesMy husband wanted bacon and eggs; I wanted a BLT. We settled our standoff with an irresistible sandwich we've had many times since. —Patti Darwin, Lubbock, Texas
Lemon Cranberry Quinoa SaladAs the family cook, I appreciate how easy this is to throw together on a busy weeknight. Plus, this salad never gets boring. One of my favorite variations is to substitute diced fresh mango for the cranberries, cilantro for the parsley, and lime for the lemon juice and zest. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois
Ham and Avocado ScrambleHearty ham, creamy avocado and a hint of garlic—this winning egg dish has all the makings for a breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Dishes Made with Avocado FAQ
What meals can I make with avocado?
You can make a wide range of meals with avocado, from fresh salads and flavorful veggie wraps to grain-based dishes with quinoa, pasta or rice. Avocado also blends beautifully into sauces, dips, dressings and chilled soups, adding a creamy texture and pale green hue. For breakfast, tuck slices into a breakfast taco or sprinkle a few cubes over a bowl of savory oatmeal.
Are avocados better raw or cooked?
Avocados can be served raw or cooked, so it’s really a matter of personal preference as to which way is best. Crispy, fried slices of avocado are crunchy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. Grilled avocado takes on a lightly smoky taste, complementing the naturally buttery texture. But if you prefer the texture and flavor of raw avocado, add it to sandwiches, smoothies, salads or on its own right out of the shell.
Can I use avocado as a substitute for butter or oil?
Yes, mashed avocado can replace butter in baked goods like muffins and quick breads, adding healthy fats. The flavor pairs nicely with chocolate, spices or nuts, so it’s easy to include a wide range of bakes. Keep in mind that the avocado will give your goods a green hue! Start by swapping the butter with the same amount of mashed avocado, then adjust as needed for the right texture.
