Are your avocados too hard to make a batch of guacamole, and not ripe enough to slice on top of your salad? Sometimes the avocado is just too hard to use, so is it possible to ripen avocado in the microwave in just 2 minutes?
If you are planning to make guacamole, then it is possible to ripen avocado in the microwave. The microwave helps to soften the texture, but it doesn’t give a nutty, creamy and buttery taste like naturally ripened avocados have.
Microwaving only works if the avocado is not quite ripe and not completely hard. So, what exactly happens to an avocado when you microwave it?
What happens if you microwave an avocado?
Depending on the type of avocado, portion size, power setting, and cooking time, there are two common results when you microwave an avocado: softening or explosion.
Avocados naturally ripen due to certain chemical reaction. Avocados produce ethylene gas which helps them to ripen into nutty flavor and creamy texture that we are familiar with.
If you tightly wrap an avocado while heating in the microwave, it can explode. The gas and steam gets trapped inside the fruit, which causes pressure to build up and the skin to burst open.
To avoid this explosion, there are two things you can do before microwaving an avocado:
- Stab the avocado 3 times with a fork or knife to pierce the skin into the fruit to vent the gas, steam and pressure.
- Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit.
It’s important to acknowledge the two potential risk might happen while you are microwaving an avocado. Be cautious and reheat with short increments.
If you at all feel uncertain, then maybe the microwave method is not for you. For best results, just give it time and naturally ripen the avocado in a paper bag on the counter.
How do you ripen avocado quickly?
Without completely cooking the avocado in a microwave, what are the most important factors to ripen an avocado quickly. First of all, you should know the microwave power level and wattage in order to successfully softening avocado in the microwave.
If you are using a 1000 watt microwave to ripen avocado quickly, reduce the power setting to low and nuke for 15 to 20 seconds at a time. Check the avocado after each duration and repeat the interval if necessary.
If you are using a 700 watt microwave, use medium power setting and cautious proceed with 30 second intervals to soften or warm the fruit.
It’s still recommended to ripen avocados naturally at room temperature inside a paper bag. However, the microwave method is effective at softening an avocado enough to make guacamole as well as releasing the skin and making it easier to peel.
Can you ripen an avocado after cutting it?
To check if an avocado it ripe, the best way it to gently squeeze the avocado to see if it gives slightly and has bumpy texture on the skin.
Sometimes under the thick coarse skin, it’s hard to evaluate if the fruit is ready to eat. If you accidentally open up the fruit but found that its not fully ripened, are you able to ripen an avocado after cutting it?
If you open an avocado too soon, there is a very simple trick to make sure that it continues to ripen and develop plenty of flavor.
Simply rub the flesh with either lime or lemon to prevent the avocado from browning too much. Put the cut halves back together, and tightly wrap the avocado in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. For best results, use the cut avocado within 1 or 2 days.
Can you microwave frozen avocado?
Frozen avocados are great for salad dressings, smoothies, and guacamole, along with other dishes like condiments, sauces, and spreads. In the end, it comes down to defrosting and thawing depending on what you want to make with the frozen avocados.
Prepackaged frozen avocados have instructions for how to microwave. However, avocado chunks actually get warm really quickly and ruin the texture.
The best way to defrost avocado chunks is to let them thaw on the counter. At room temperature, it only takes about an hour to completely thaw.
If you need to use microwave, choose the defrost or low power setting. For best result, nuke for 30 second increments to thaw frozen avocados in the microwave.
Things you need to know before microwaving avocado
There are many tasty dishes you can make with a ripened avocado. What you are doing with the microwaved avocados ultimately makes all the difference.
Change up the power setting and cook time to avoid overheating the avocado resulting in a potential explosion.
Here are things you need to know before ripening an avocado in the microwave:
- Microwaving an avocado is only heating the flesh.
- Microwaving unripe avocado to soften will result in a different flavor compared to naturally ripened ones.
- Remove the pit before microwaving, it can interfere in the evenly distribution of heat around the fruit.
- Use microwave-safe plastic wrap, parchment paper or paper towel.
- Place the skin of the avocado down when heating in the microwave.
- Prick the avocado skin before microwaving, if the skin is not pricked then the fruit can explode while heating.
Regardless of what method you choose to ripen an avocado, the best way is to go natural, especially if you are looking for a fresh slice of avocado on your salad or sandwich. However, if you are looking to make guacamole or blend into a spread or sauce, use microwave to soften avocado in 2 minutes or less.
