The Easiest Way To Prep Avocados For A Party

It goes without saying that avocados, or Persea americana as they are scientifically known, are one of the most popular fruits on the market (via Healthline). Often beloved for its great taste, versatility, and well-documented nutrients, no self-respecting party is complete until this delectable fruit takes its place center stage.

Whether dicing, slicing, or serving them up in crowd-pleasing guacamole, this delicate produce requires a bit of pre-planning to ensure that it is handled with care and served at the peak of its freshness. Anyone who has ever cut into an avocado and left it too long without consuming it immediately can attest to how quickly it will turn brown. Savvy party planners know that the last thing you want to do is serve up discolored food. Luckily, there are a few hacks for easily prepping a big batch of avocados so that they stay fresh and green for your next special occasion, casual get-together, or backyard barbecue.

Despite what you may have heard, avocados do not turn brown because they are rotten. It is simply a chemical reaction that happens naturally when the polyphenol oxidase enzyme in the fruit comes in contact with oxygen in the air, per The Spruce Eats. In order to minimize browning, it goes without saying that you need to limit the exposure that the flesh has to the air once you cut into the fruit.

We advise prepping all the ingredients you need to make your avocado dishes in advance but waiting until you are ready to serve before adding the avocados to your recipes. So, you can dice your tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chilies in advance — even place them in a covered bowl in your fridge until you are ready to use it. Then, there is one way to dice a large number of avocados both quickly and efficiently. As Cook's Illustrated recommends, pushing pitted avocados through a wire cooling rack is a simple way of cutting them super fast. With your dicing job done in seconds, you can add your avocados, lime, and fresh herbs at the last minute.

If you'd rather not do all that prep before the party, there is another way. One Reddit user additionally suggests, "If I am having a party where guacamole will be eaten over several hours, I make several small batches and serve it fresh."