Learn how to cut an avocado easily and quickly every time with this simple step-by-step photo tutorial!
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Most people I know love a fresh avocado in things like salads, sandwiches, guacamole, etc, but cutting it is a whole other story.
If you’ve ever felt daunted at the idea of cutting an avocado and wondered how anyone gets those perfect slices, this is the tutorial for you! Even if you’re just starting out with knife skills, I guarantee you’ll be slicing those avocados like a pro in no time after reading this post.
Tools You Will Need
- Paring knife
- Cutting board
- Avocados
How To Choose Avocados
A perfectly ripe avocado should be slightly soft when lightly squeezed yet still have a firmness to it. If you have an abundance of overripe avocados I recommend using these for guacamole.
I still have yet to find a way to ripen too-hard avocados quickly, but the method I find works the fastest is placing avocados in a brown paper bag, tightly wrapping bag around avocados, and storing in a warm room for 8 hours or overnight.
Step-By-Step Tutorial
Refer to the pictures below for a visual guide.
- Remove the stem from avocado and use a paring knife to carefully cut around pit to cut avocado in half. Once you’re all the way around, use both hands to gently pry avocado apart.
- In a careful, swift motion, dig the heel of your knife into the pit. Now gently wiggle the knife back and forth to release the pit. Once the pit is out, gently pull on the knife to release it from the pit.
- Use the paring knife to score avocado flesh into either into slices or cubes. Be careful not to cut through the skin.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the cut avocado.
How To Keep Cut Avocado Fresh
If you would like to cut the avocado in advance for storing, I recommend tossing cut avocado with a little lemon or lime juice to keep the avocado from turning brown.
Use a ratio of about 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice per avocado and store cut avocado in refrigerator up to 4 days.
Recipes that Feature Avocados
Try these recipes for tried-and-true ways to make the most out of avocados.
- Best Guacamole
- Greek Guacamole
- Avocado Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
- Greek Avocado Toast
- Avocado Caesar Salad
- Chunky Avocado Salsa
- Avocado Bacon Burgers
- Asian Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Avocado Smoked Salmon Salad
Save this recipe for later using the ‘save to recipe box’ button. If you make it, please let me know by leaving a comment + star rating below the recipe card. This only takes moments and helps support my website so much!
This post was updated with new recipe tips and photos on 8/27/26.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Such a fun tutorial. I love avocados. Your photographs are so pretty.
Sarah says
Thanks so much Erin!!
Joanne says
Every time I cut an avocado, I fear for my fingertips, so I definitely needed to see this!
Sarah says
I used to be that way too! Now my fingertips can breathe more easily. 😉 LOL.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Give me all the avocados and avocado recipes!!! 🙂 this “how-to” post is great!!!! this is exactly how I cut my avocado when I want chunks .. otherwise, I also do strips or slivers. . I recently saw an avocado rose!!!! gonna look into that!
Sarah says
An avocado rose?? That I’ve got to try!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
We love our avocados over here! Darryl wants to save a pit and try to plant an avocado tree. 🙂 Maybe that would actually work if we lived somewhere warm.
Sarah says
Ooh! How awesome would an avocado tree be?? I’d totally plant one myself, but just like you, it would never get that warm in Wisconsin!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love this post, Sarah! I’m totally trying this next time I cut an avocado. I have one of those avocado slicers but I can never get it to work right. Your method sounds so much easier! Do you have any tips on how to slice avocados? I’m horrible at that too! But I think I need to try your way of cutting right through the avocado, maybe that will work! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
Slicing avocados is even easier than dicing with this method! All you do is run the knife down and slice through the avocado into 1/4 to 1/2-in slices. Then just scoop out the slices! Done. 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Yum, avocados for life! Love this tutorial! The scoop trick is my favorite way. I totally want some of your avocado toast now 🙂 Yum!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! And right?? I looove the scooping trick!
Amanda Brooks says
This is such a better (smarter) way to cut an avocado than I have been doing for years! This has just changed my avocado eating experience 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
Thanks Amanda! I’m glad that this post was helpful to you!!
Danielle says
I love your kitchen how-to posts, Sarah! I love to cut avocados like this, they come out so easy and in perfect bite sized pieces!
Sarah says
Thanks Danielle! And yes, this is seriously one of my favorite kitchen tricks ever!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
YUMMY! Lovely tutorial, Sarah! Next time, I will cut Avocado this way!
Sarah says
Thanks Anu!!
Candy says
I usually just spoon the whole thing out, then slice it up. Super simple! Then I eat the other half with a spoon. Straight from the skin.
Sarah says
That’s another simple way I like to cut my avocados! (the eating part is my favorite) 😉
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
I seriously need to start cutting my avocados like this! I always do things the hard way and it takes me forever. Thanks for sharing these amazing tips!
Sarah says
This is seriously SO much simpler than the regular method of cutting avocados!
mira says
Great tutorial Sarah, so helpful! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
Thanks Mira! Glad you found it helpful. 😉
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
This is how I learned to cut avocados when I was working in a restaurant kitchen, long before I thought avocados were delicious! Great tips, Sarah!
Sarah says
Wait, weren’t avocados always amazing?? Just kidding, of course. 😉 Thanks so much Denise!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
Ah, thank you for this tip! I eat avocados all the time and I always end up making such a mess!
Sarah says
Easy + mess-free = always a win! 🙂 Thanks Sam!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
This is the best way to cut avocados! Great tutorial Sarah : )
Sarah says
Thanks Natalie! It’s definitely the simplest way I’ve discovered so far!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
very helpful post Sarah! thanks for sharing 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Manali!