ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled
| Filter | Status | Condition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP status | PASS | download_http_code = 200 | HTTP 200 |
| Age cutoff | PASS | download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH | 0.1 months ago |
| History drop | PASS | isNull(history_drop_reason) | No drop reason |
| Spam/ban | PASS | fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0 | ml_spam_score=0 |
| Canonical | PASS | meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed | Not set |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URL | https://sunset.com/food-wine/techniques/how-to-cut-an-avocado |
| Last Crawled | 2026-04-09 14:44:39 (3 days ago) |
| First Indexed | 2026-01-30 23:10:31 (2 months ago) |
| HTTP Status Code | 200 |
| Meta Title | How to Cut an Avocado (Without Going to the ER) - Sunset – Sunset Magazine |
| Meta Description | Watch the easiest and safest way to prep an avocado—for toast, for guacamole, or just so you can eat the fruit right from the skin. (We won't tell!) |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | It’s no secret that the West has some of the best
avocados
. Whether you have them growing in your yard or they fill the shelves at your local market, it’s important to learn how to cut an avocado safely before digging in. It’s all too easy to accidentally cut yourself while trying to open a ripe avocado or remove the pit. This technique will keep your fingers out of the way and protect you from accidental cuts.
1.
Start by washing your avocado
with water before placing it lengthwise on a cutting board. Hold the avocado from the side that’s facing up and slice around the pit horizontally. Be careful to keep all of your fingers away from the blade as you rotate the avocado around the knife. Once you’ve cut all the way around, twist the two halves to open. Next, slice your avocado into quarters, peel and all.
2. To remove the pit,
simply grab the pit and gently twist
the quarter of the avocado until it comes loose. Be careful not to grip the avocado slice too hard, especially if it’s really ripe, or your’ll end up with a mashed fruit. Next, grab the top edge of the peel and carefully pull it away from the avocado flesh. It should come off easily, although if it’s too ripe it can be difficult to hold on to the piece. In this case you can use a fork to gently scrape the avocado off of the skin.
3. After all of the peel has been removed, you can
slice your avocado into any size piece
. Try thin slices on your
burger
, small pieces for salads, or mash it up for a quick and easy
guacamole
.
Avocados not quite ripe? Try placing them in a brown paper bag in a warm place in your kitchen for a couple of days before cutting.Â
Now, Here’s Some Avocado Recipes:
1
of
13
Iain Bagwell
Avocado Pesto Pasta
Swap avocado forÂ
olive oil
 and you’ve got a fresh, creamy spin on pesto sauce.
2
of
13
Iain Bagwell
Avocado and Dark Chocolate Tart
Avocado and chocolate is the surprise pairing you never knew you needed until your first bite of this delicious dessert.
3
of
13
Annabelle Breakey
Avocado Fries
Crunchy on the outside, creamy and nutty inside, these fries are totally over the top. Chef Trey Foshee, at George’s at the Cove restaurant in La Jolla, California, serves them with grilled steak.
4
of
13
Jennifer Mariné
Chilled Cucumber, Avocado, and Yogurt Soup
Puréed avocado makes the texture of this refreshing soup even creamier.
5
of
13
E. Spencer Toy
Eggs Baked in Avocados
Baking eggs is fast, easy, and delicious. You can cook them in ramekins, of course, but it’s especially fun to make them in edible containers. That twist makes them special enough for lunch or dinner, not only breakfast.
6
of
13
Annabelle Breakey
Avocados with Warm Bacon Parsley Vinaigrette
Crunchy bacon brings out the smokiness of a good Hass avocado, and the sharp vinaigrette helps cut its richness.
7
of
13
Annabelle Breakey
Egg, Avocado, and Crispy Prosciutto Pitas
Baking prosciutto intensifies its flavor and gives it a crispy texture in these breakfast sandwiches. If you’re eating them on the go, just wrap them in waxed paper.
8
of
13
Leo Gong
Smoked Salmon and Avocado Rice Triangles
These elegant bites make for a healthy party appetizer.
9
of
13
Annabelle Breakey
Kimchi and Avocado Quesadillas
If you likeÂ
Mexican recipes
 and you likeÂ
kimchi
, then this quesadilla is for you. We prefer the super spicyÂ
kimchi
, but use any brand that you like.
10
of
13
Thomas J. Story
Avocado, Grapefruit, and Shiso Salad
The warm anise flavor of shiso, encouraged by the licoricey fennel, comes through clearly in this pretty salad. You can use either red or green shiso (red is slightly stronger in flavor) or a combination.
11
of
13
Thomas J. Story
Lemony Kale Avocado Sandwiches
“You might think you can’t bring fresh thing backpacking,” says Aimee Trudeau of Dirty Gourmet. “ButÂ
kale
, lemon, and avocado keep a long time.” When we’re in town, we like to keep their kale salad sandwiches in mind forÂ
brown-bag lunches
, too.
12
of
13
Thomas J. Story
Squash Blossom, Avocado, and Butter Lettuce Salad
Quick, delicious, and pretty, too, this salad is nice for a special warm-weather luncheon.
13
of
13
Annabelle Breakey
Coconut Avocado Ice Cream
Silky smooth, luscious, and surprisingly good with chocolate sauce. |
| Markdown | How to Cut an Avocado Like a Pro (i.e., So You Won't End Up in the ER)
- [Food & Drink](https://sunset.com/food-wine)
- [Recipe Search](https://sunset.com/recipes)
- [Recipe Ideas](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant)
- [Restaurants](https://sunset.com/food-wine/restaurants)
- [Wine & Drinks](https://sunset.com/food-wine/wine-pairings)
- [Home & Garden](https://sunset.com/home-garden)
- [Home Tours](https://sunset.com/home-garden/home-tours)
- [Decorating & Design](https://sunset.com/home-garden/design)
- [Garden Basics](https://sunset.com/home-garden/garden-basics)
- [DIY Projects](https://sunset.com/home-garden/diy-projects)
- [Landscaping](https://sunset.com/home-garden/landscaping)
- [Flowers & Plants](https://sunset.com/home-garden/plants)
- [Outdoor Living](https://sunset.com/home-garden/outdoor-living)
- [Edible Gardening](https://sunset.com/home-garden/edible-gardening)
- [Idea Hub](https://sunset.com/home-garden/idea-houses)
- [Lifestyle](https://sunset.com/lifestyle)
- [Gifts & Shopping](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/shopping)
- [Wellness](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/wellness)
- [Family](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/family)
- [Videos](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/videos)
- [Travel](https://sunset.com/travel)
- [Insider Guides](https://sunset.com/travel/insider-guides)
- [Travel Directory](https://sunset.com/travelawards)
- [WildLands](https://sunset.com/travel/wildlands)
- [Wine Country](https://sunset.com/travel/wine-country)
- [Road Trips](https://sunset.com/travel/road-trips)
- [Outdoor Adventure](https://sunset.com/travel/outdoor-adventure)
- [Camping](https://sunset.com/travel/camping)
- [National Parks](https://sunset.com/travel/national-parks)
- [Hotels](https://sunset.com/travel/hotels)
- [Culinary Travel](https://sunset.com/travel/culinary-travel)
- [Shop](https://shop.sunset.com/)
- [Holiday Gift Guide 2025\!](https://shop.sunset.com/collections/holiday-gift-guide-2025)
- [The Sunset Shop](https://shop.sunset.com/)
- [Sunset Wine Club](https://www.wineaccess.com/sunset/)
- [The Sunset Subscription Box](https://thesunsetbox.com/)
- [Newsletters](https://sunset.com/newsletters)
- [Give Sunset](https://shop.sunset.com/products/sunset-magazine-one-year-gift-subscription?UTM_campaign=nav-bar)
- [Food & Drink](https://sunset.com/food-wine)
- [Recipe Search](https://sunset.com/recipes)
- [Recipe Ideas](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant)
- [Restaurants](https://sunset.com/food-wine/restaurants)
- [Wine & Drinks](https://sunset.com/food-wine/wine-pairings)
- [Home & Garden](https://sunset.com/home-garden)
- [Home Tours](https://sunset.com/home-garden/home-tours)
- [Decorating & Design](https://sunset.com/home-garden/design)
- [Garden Basics](https://sunset.com/home-garden/garden-basics)
- [DIY Projects](https://sunset.com/home-garden/diy-projects)
- [Landscaping](https://sunset.com/home-garden/landscaping)
- [Flowers & Plants](https://sunset.com/home-garden/plants)
- [Outdoor Living](https://sunset.com/home-garden/outdoor-living)
- [Edible Gardening](https://sunset.com/home-garden/edible-gardening)
- [Idea Hub](https://sunset.com/home-garden/idea-houses)
- [Lifestyle](https://sunset.com/lifestyle)
- [Gifts & Shopping](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/shopping)
- [Wellness](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/wellness)
- [Family](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/family)
- [Videos](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/videos)
- [Travel](https://sunset.com/travel)
- [Insider Guides](https://sunset.com/travel/insider-guides)
- [Travel Directory](https://sunset.com/travelawards)
- [WildLands](https://sunset.com/travel/wildlands)
- [Wine Country](https://sunset.com/travel/wine-country)
- [Road Trips](https://sunset.com/travel/road-trips)
- [Outdoor Adventure](https://sunset.com/travel/outdoor-adventure)
- [Camping](https://sunset.com/travel/camping)
- [National Parks](https://sunset.com/travel/national-parks)
- [Hotels](https://sunset.com/travel/hotels)
- [Culinary Travel](https://sunset.com/travel/culinary-travel)
- [Shop](https://shop.sunset.com/)
- [Holiday Gift Guide 2025\!](https://shop.sunset.com/collections/holiday-gift-guide-2025)
- [The Sunset Shop](https://shop.sunset.com/)
- [Sunset Wine Club](https://www.wineaccess.com/sunset/)
- [The Sunset Subscription Box](https://thesunsetbox.com/)
- [Newsletters](https://sunset.com/newsletters)
- [Give Sunset](https://shop.sunset.com/products/sunset-magazine-one-year-gift-subscription?UTM_campaign=nav-bar)
- [Subscribe](https://sunset.com/subscribe)
- [Magazine Customer Service](https://sunset.com/customerservice)
Stay Connected
1. [Food & Drink](https://sunset.com/food-wine)
# How to Cut an Avocado Like a Pro (i.e., So You Won’t End Up in the ER)
Written by Sunset Staff August 5, 2015
Share this story
It’s no secret that the West has some of the best [avocados](https://sunset.com/food-wine/fresh-avocados-recipes). Whether you have them growing in your yard or they fill the shelves at your local market, it’s important to learn how to cut an avocado safely before digging in. It’s all too easy to accidentally cut yourself while trying to open a ripe avocado or remove the pit. This technique will keep your fingers out of the way and protect you from accidental cuts.
1\. **Start by washing your avocado** with water before placing it lengthwise on a cutting board. Hold the avocado from the side that’s facing up and slice around the pit horizontally. Be careful to keep all of your fingers away from the blade as you rotate the avocado around the knife. Once you’ve cut all the way around, twist the two halves to open. Next, slice your avocado into quarters, peel and all.
2\. To remove the pit, **simply grab the pit and gently twist** the quarter of the avocado until it comes loose. Be careful not to grip the avocado slice too hard, especially if it’s really ripe, or your’ll end up with a mashed fruit. Next, grab the top edge of the peel and carefully pull it away from the avocado flesh. It should come off easily, although if it’s too ripe it can be difficult to hold on to the piece. In this case you can use a fork to gently scrape the avocado off of the skin.
3\. After all of the peel has been removed, you can **slice your avocado into any size piece**. Try thin slices on your [burger](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/easy-delicious-burger-recipes), small pieces for salads, or mash it up for a quick and easy [guacamole](https://sunset.com/food-wine/fast-fresh/how-to-make-guacamole-video).
Avocados not quite ripe? Try placing them in a brown paper bag in a warm place in your kitchen for a couple of days before cutting.
## Now, Here’s Some Avocado Recipes:


1 of 13Iain Bagwell
## Avocado Pesto Pasta
Swap avocado for [olive oil](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/olive-oil) and you’ve got a fresh, creamy spin on pesto sauce.


2 of 13Iain Bagwell
## Avocado and Dark Chocolate Tart
Avocado and chocolate is the surprise pairing you never knew you needed until your first bite of this delicious dessert.


3 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Avocado Fries
Crunchy on the outside, creamy and nutty inside, these fries are totally over the top. Chef Trey Foshee, at George’s at the Cove restaurant in La Jolla, California, serves them with grilled steak.


4 of 13Jennifer Mariné
## Chilled Cucumber, Avocado, and Yogurt Soup
Puréed avocado makes the texture of this refreshing soup even creamier.


5 of 13E. Spencer Toy
## Eggs Baked in Avocados
Baking eggs is fast, easy, and delicious. You can cook them in ramekins, of course, but it’s especially fun to make them in edible containers. That twist makes them special enough for lunch or dinner, not only breakfast.


6 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Avocados with Warm Bacon Parsley Vinaigrette
Crunchy bacon brings out the smokiness of a good Hass avocado, and the sharp vinaigrette helps cut its richness.


7 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Egg, Avocado, and Crispy Prosciutto Pitas
Baking prosciutto intensifies its flavor and gives it a crispy texture in these breakfast sandwiches. If you’re eating them on the go, just wrap them in waxed paper.


8 of 13Leo Gong
## Smoked Salmon and Avocado Rice Triangles
These elegant bites make for a healthy party appetizer.


9 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Kimchi and Avocado Quesadillas
If you like [Mexican recipes](https://sunset.com/food-wine/entertaining/mexican-dinner-party-recipes) and you like [kimchi](https://sunset.com/food-wine/techniques/kimchi), then this quesadilla is for you. We prefer the super spicy [kimchi](https://sunset.com/food-wine/techniques/kimchi), but use any brand that you like.


10 of 13Thomas J. Story
## Avocado, Grapefruit, and Shiso Salad
The warm anise flavor of shiso, encouraged by the licoricey fennel, comes through clearly in this pretty salad. You can use either red or green shiso (red is slightly stronger in flavor) or a combination.


11 of 13Thomas J. Story
## Lemony Kale Avocado Sandwiches
“You might think you can’t bring fresh thing backpacking,” says Aimee Trudeau of Dirty Gourmet. “But [kale](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/kale-recipes), lemon, and avocado keep a long time.” When we’re in town, we like to keep their kale salad sandwiches in mind for [brown-bag lunches](https://sunset.com/food-wine/fast-fresh/fast-lunch-recipes), too.


12 of 13Thomas J. Story
## Squash Blossom, Avocado, and Butter Lettuce Salad
Quick, delicious, and pretty, too, this salad is nice for a special warm-weather luncheon.


13 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Coconut Avocado Ice Cream
Silky smooth, luscious, and surprisingly good with chocolate sauce.
###### Keep Reading:
- [avocados](https://sunset.com/tag/avocados)
- [Food & Drink](https://sunset.com/cat/food-wine)
### The Latest
[Food & Drink](https://sunset.com/food-wine) [](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/asparagus-recipes)
##### [23 Recipes That Make the Most of Asparagus Season](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/asparagus-recipes)
[Garden Basics](https://sunset.com/home-garden/garden-basics) [](https://sunset.com/home-garden/garden-basics/how-to-give-houseplants-spa-day)
##### [Your Houseplants Need a Spa Day—Here’s How to Give Them One](https://sunset.com/home-garden/garden-basics/how-to-give-houseplants-spa-day)
[Garden Basics](https://sunset.com/home-garden/garden-basics)
##### [Spring Means It’s Go-Time in the Garden. Here Are 11 Things to Do Now.](https://sunset.com/home-garden/garden-basics/spring-garden-checklist-ideas)
[Food & Drink](https://sunset.com/food-wine)
##### [These Delicious Croissants Had a 14,000-Person Waitlist—and They’re Packed with Protein and Fiber](https://sunset.com/food-wine/hero-bread-croissants)
### Sign Up for our Newsletter
Get fresh recipes, wine pairings, weekend getaway ideas, regional gardening tips, home design inspiration, and more.
[Sign up](http://link.sunset.com/join/5ro/signup)
## Subscribe to the Sunset Box\!
Editor-curated home goods, garden gear, pantry finds, and so much more delivered straight to your door every quarter.
[**Sign Up Now**](https://thesunsetbox.com/)
## Sign Up for Our Newsletters
Get fresh recipes, wine pairings, weekend getaway ideas, regional gardening tips, home design inspiration, and more.
[**Subscribe Now**](https://sunset.com/newsletters)
[Sunset](https://sunset.com/)
- [Food & Drink](https://sunset.com/food-wine)
- [Home & Garden](https://sunset.com/home-garden)
- [Lifestyle](https://sunset.com/lifestyle)
- [Travel](https://sunset.com/travel)
- [Newsletters](https://sunset.com/newsletters/)
- [Video](https://sunset.com/lifestyle/videos)
[About](https://sunset.com/about-us)
- [About Us](https://sunset.com/about-us)
- [Subscribe to Sunset](https://sunset.com/subscribe-footer)
- [The Sunset Shop](https://shop.sunset.com/)
- [The Sunset Plant Collection](https://sunsetplantcollection.com/)
- [Site Map](https://sunset.com/sitemap.xml)
[Contact](mailto:sunset@omeda.com)
- [Advertising](https://sunset.com/advertising)
- [Careers](https://boards.greenhouse.io/sunset#.WpSDvxPwYsk)
- [Email the Editors](mailto:readerletters@sunset.com)
- [Magazine Customer Service](https://sunset.com/customerservice/)
Copyright © 2026 S Media International Corporation. SUNSET is a registered trademark of S Media International Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our [Terms of Use](https://sunset.com/marketplace/sunset-publishing-corporation-terms-of-use "Terms and Conditions of Use") and [Privacy Policy](https://sunset.com/marketplace/sunset-publishing-corporation-privacy-policy "Sunset Privacy Policy"). SUNSET may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. |
| Readable Markdown | It’s no secret that the West has some of the best [avocados](https://sunset.com/food-wine/fresh-avocados-recipes). Whether you have them growing in your yard or they fill the shelves at your local market, it’s important to learn how to cut an avocado safely before digging in. It’s all too easy to accidentally cut yourself while trying to open a ripe avocado or remove the pit. This technique will keep your fingers out of the way and protect you from accidental cuts.
1\. **Start by washing your avocado** with water before placing it lengthwise on a cutting board. Hold the avocado from the side that’s facing up and slice around the pit horizontally. Be careful to keep all of your fingers away from the blade as you rotate the avocado around the knife. Once you’ve cut all the way around, twist the two halves to open. Next, slice your avocado into quarters, peel and all.
2\. To remove the pit, **simply grab the pit and gently twist** the quarter of the avocado until it comes loose. Be careful not to grip the avocado slice too hard, especially if it’s really ripe, or your’ll end up with a mashed fruit. Next, grab the top edge of the peel and carefully pull it away from the avocado flesh. It should come off easily, although if it’s too ripe it can be difficult to hold on to the piece. In this case you can use a fork to gently scrape the avocado off of the skin.
3\. After all of the peel has been removed, you can **slice your avocado into any size piece**. Try thin slices on your [burger](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/easy-delicious-burger-recipes), small pieces for salads, or mash it up for a quick and easy [guacamole](https://sunset.com/food-wine/fast-fresh/how-to-make-guacamole-video).
Avocados not quite ripe? Try placing them in a brown paper bag in a warm place in your kitchen for a couple of days before cutting.
## Now, Here’s Some Avocado Recipes:
1 of 13Iain Bagwell
## Avocado Pesto Pasta
Swap avocado for [olive oil](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/olive-oil) and you’ve got a fresh, creamy spin on pesto sauce.
2 of 13Iain Bagwell
## Avocado and Dark Chocolate Tart
Avocado and chocolate is the surprise pairing you never knew you needed until your first bite of this delicious dessert.
3 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Avocado Fries
Crunchy on the outside, creamy and nutty inside, these fries are totally over the top. Chef Trey Foshee, at George’s at the Cove restaurant in La Jolla, California, serves them with grilled steak.
4 of 13Jennifer Mariné
## Chilled Cucumber, Avocado, and Yogurt Soup
Puréed avocado makes the texture of this refreshing soup even creamier.
5 of 13E. Spencer Toy
## Eggs Baked in Avocados
Baking eggs is fast, easy, and delicious. You can cook them in ramekins, of course, but it’s especially fun to make them in edible containers. That twist makes them special enough for lunch or dinner, not only breakfast.
6 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Avocados with Warm Bacon Parsley Vinaigrette
Crunchy bacon brings out the smokiness of a good Hass avocado, and the sharp vinaigrette helps cut its richness.
7 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Egg, Avocado, and Crispy Prosciutto Pitas
Baking prosciutto intensifies its flavor and gives it a crispy texture in these breakfast sandwiches. If you’re eating them on the go, just wrap them in waxed paper.
8 of 13Leo Gong
## Smoked Salmon and Avocado Rice Triangles
These elegant bites make for a healthy party appetizer.
9 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Kimchi and Avocado Quesadillas
If you like [Mexican recipes](https://sunset.com/food-wine/entertaining/mexican-dinner-party-recipes) and you like [kimchi](https://sunset.com/food-wine/techniques/kimchi), then this quesadilla is for you. We prefer the super spicy [kimchi](https://sunset.com/food-wine/techniques/kimchi), but use any brand that you like.
10 of 13Thomas J. Story
## Avocado, Grapefruit, and Shiso Salad
The warm anise flavor of shiso, encouraged by the licoricey fennel, comes through clearly in this pretty salad. You can use either red or green shiso (red is slightly stronger in flavor) or a combination.
11 of 13Thomas J. Story
## Lemony Kale Avocado Sandwiches
“You might think you can’t bring fresh thing backpacking,” says Aimee Trudeau of Dirty Gourmet. “But [kale](https://sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/kale-recipes), lemon, and avocado keep a long time.” When we’re in town, we like to keep their kale salad sandwiches in mind for [brown-bag lunches](https://sunset.com/food-wine/fast-fresh/fast-lunch-recipes), too.
12 of 13Thomas J. Story
## Squash Blossom, Avocado, and Butter Lettuce Salad
Quick, delicious, and pretty, too, this salad is nice for a special warm-weather luncheon.
13 of 13Annabelle Breakey
## Coconut Avocado Ice Cream
Silky smooth, luscious, and surprisingly good with chocolate sauce. |
| Shard | 5 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 3774873383173862605 |
| Unparsed URL | com,sunset!/food-wine/techniques/how-to-cut-an-avocado s443 |