Before we jump into the recipes, here’s how to determine if an avocado is ripe. Start by checking the color of the skin. The darker the color of the outside pebbly skin of the avocado, the riper the fruit is inside. Then, give a gentle press to the outside of the skin—if it gives to gentle pressure it’s ready to use in your recipe. An avocado that feels mushy when giving it a light squeeze isn’t good for most recipes and a rock-hard avocado isn’t ripe yet. If you just can’t wait for your avocado to naturally ripen, try to wrap each half in plastic wrap and microwave on high for two minutes. Remove it with tongs and place it in a colander, then run cold water over the plastic-wrapped avocado pieces until they are cool to the touch. Finally, remove the plastic wrap, scoop out the avocado and get started on that recipe. If, however, you have an overripe avocado, try using it in soups, smoothies and lightened-up desserts like chocolate avocado mousse or avocado rice pudding. So, if you’re wondering what to make with this creamy, green, nutrient-packed fruit, check out our favorite recipes with avocado below and have fun with this healthy addition to every meal.
How to cut an avocado
The best way to cut an avocado is to place it on its side with your knife parallel to the board, then rotate the avocado slicing around the fruit until it can be pulled apart in two pieces. Use a spoon to remove the pit.
Best Avocado Recipes
Crab Salad Avocado Boats
Yes, this tastes as good as they look. Avocado, crab, peaches and tomatoes make a quick and tasty meal. A simple lemon juice and honey dressing adds sweetness and keeps the avocado from turning brown before enjoying. Get the recipe
The Fort’s Guacamole
No one knows guacamole’s exact origins, but the late Sam Arnold of the Fort restaurant near Denver surmised that a cook accidentally dropped avocado into salsa and realized the combo was irresistible. Arnold, a culinary showman who claimed he taught Julia Child how to open a champagne bottle with a tomahawk, was firmly against adding garlic to the dip. Try this amazing guacamole and see why everyone loves it. Get the best guacamole recipe
BLT With Baked Avocado Egg Salad
When you combine avocado, eggs and a BLT sandwich, you get one amazing salad! In this simple yet satisfying recipe, the avocado gets even creamier during the baking process, the ripe tomatoes add sweetness, the arugula offers a peppery bite and the bacon gives you a salty little nibble. The egg yolk is all the dressing you need to tie this salad together. Get the recipe
Avocado Stuffed Meatballs
Meatballs are a simple, quick meal that kids love. They are perfect for little hands to pick up without the need for utensils and also delicious in many kinds of sauces. You may think stuffing them would be difficult, but the secret is to use a very small amount. Get the recipe
Avocado Smoothie
“I let my son peel and break up the banana and pour the milk into the blender (with my help), while I scooped out the ripe avocado and dropped the ice into the blender. I added a little agave to sweeten it up, but honestly, if you have ripe bananas, you don’t need it,” says weelicious.com blogger Catherine McCord. Get the recipe
Avocado Egg Salad
Swapping out the mayo for vitamin K- and fiber-rich avocados makes this chunky spread a great breakfast choice; enjoy on toast or bagels. Get the recipe
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Make a delicious dessert from overripe avocados? Yes you can, with our recipe for chocolate mousse. You’ll love the creaminess and the fact that you’re not wasting food, says recipe creator Dana Gunders, staff scientist at the National Resources Defense Council and author of Waste Free Kitchen Handbook. “About 40 percent of all food in the U.S. doesn’t get eaten,” she says. Get the recipe
Strawberry-Avocado Salsa
This Strawberry-Avocado Salsa from The Recipe Girl Cookbook pairs well with margaritas or sangria for happy hour at home. Get the recipe
Shrimp Stuffed Avocados
The lime juice keeps the avocados from discoloring in these shrimp-stuffed avocados. Get the recipe
Avocado Deviled Eggs
Avocado, lime and cilantro lend these updated deviled eggs zesty appeal. Get the recipe
Baked Avocado & Chicken Salad
This Baked Avocado & Chicken Salad from Dinner’s in the Oven by Rukmini Iyer is a quick, easy and fresh dinner for summer weeknights. Baked avocado might sound unusual, but it’s the perfect creamy compliment to grilled chicken when tossed with spinach, nutty brown rice and an easy citrus dressing. Get the recipe
Lobster Guacamole
Who doesn’t want to show off a little while entertaining or creating a special dish for someone else’s party? This Maine Lobster Guacamole recipe from Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative will make you a Super Bowl MVP. Get the recipe
Chilled Avocado-Jalapeño Soup
Chilled, fresh avocado-jalapeño soup makes a perfect no-cook summer dinner. Get the recipe
Grilled Avocado and Tomato Salad
“A grill makes a delicious avocado even better. But a ripe avocado is so delicate it takes little cooking: just touch it to the grill for a moment to bring out its floral aroma,” says Chef John Besh. For a larger dish with further visual appeal, Besh says, “for added crunch and texture, add one cup each of burrata cheese, petite herbs, sliced spring onions and mixed sliced sweet peppers.” Get the recipe
Macaroni Avocado Salad
This recipe for Macaroni Avocado Salad calls for zero mayonnaise. To replace it, use a homemade Green Goddess dressing with avocados, low-fat Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. To health-ify this classic side dish even more, use a whole wheat pasta and toss in the summer’s best tomatoes and corn. Get the recipe
Avocado Tzatziki
Avocado Tzatziki is an easy dip that pairs perfectly with veggies or as burger topping. Try it on Greek burger sliders. Get the recipe
Green Chile & Avocado Dip
Together: Our Community Cookbook, the first solo project by the Duchess of Sussex, formerly known as Meghan Markle, is filled with mouthwatering recipes from the women who cook at Hubb Community Kitchen. Meghan is a SoCal girl, so it’s not surprising that this colorful, spicy, creamy, avocado-based concoction would be a particular favorite. It’s delicious with pita or naan bread or tortilla chips. It’s also a versatile condiment, spread on sandwiches or dolloped on grilled fish, chicken or steak. Get the recipe
Sheet Pan Breakfast Bake
Get a full, hearty breakfast and minimal clean-up with this Sheet Pan Breakfast Bake. Typically, you might cook sausage, eggs and potatoes in three different pans, but this smart breakfast solution is about to change that. Get the recipe
Chicken Avocado and Pear Wraps
Avocado is a great source of the “good fat” that actually lowers cholesterol, and this wrap is a tasty and unique way to enjoy it. Eat smart and enjoy crunchy nuts and pears with grilled chicken breast in this satisfying wrap. Get the recipe
Baked Salmon with Mango and Avocado
This easy, wonderful salmon dish can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd. Salmon with Mango and Avocado requires minimal preparation and will be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Get the recipe
Tomato & Avocado Salad with Empress Dressing
A purée of peas and a handful of fresh herbs lend this nutritious dressing its emerald green glow. With only a speck of fat and minimal calories, it provides more than a significant amount of vitamins A and C – with calcium and iron, too – when dressing a salad of red, ripe tomatoes, buttery avocado and low-fat mozzarella cheese. Get the recipe
Gridiron Guacamole
The best guacamole is made with ripe ingredients and as close to serving time as possible. Get the recipe
Rice Pudding with Avocado and Coconut Milk
Done right, rice pudding can be a treat for anyone in the family. In this recipe it’s paired with avocado, spices and coconut milk for a different spin on the classic treat. Get the recipe
Avocado Crema Dressing
This creamy guacamole dressing is packed with magnesium-rich avocados to help with aches, fresh lime juice loaded with immunity aid vitamin C and spicy serrano chili peppers, which can help clear sinus congestion. Use it as a dipper for raw veggies or as a topper for tacos, Buddha bowls, salads and sweet potato nachos. Get the recipe
Chicken with Pear and Avocado
Avocados are buttery in texture, and Bartlett pears have buttery flavor. Pairing them with sautéed chicken and a light, white-wine pan sauce makes a superb dish. Ready in 20 minutes, it turns dinner into an occasion. Get the recipe
Baked Eggs and Avocado
This is a healthy (and delicious) way to start the day. Avocado boats are so easy to make and take hardly any time at all. Just make sure your oven is preheated before you put them in; you want the eggs to cook quickly or the avocado will cook too much. Get the recipe
Avocado with Toasty Crumbs
Avocado is packed with energy-boosting B vitamins, fiber, mono-unsaturated (“good”) fat and more potassium than a banana. Try it in this yummy recipe from mom of two, model and social media superstar Chrissy Teigen’s much-anticipated second cookbook, Cravings: Hungry for More. This easy recipe is her riff on popular avocado toast, but in reverse. Perfect avocado halves are left intact and garnished with crunchy, herby toasted bread crumbs, thinly sliced radishes and a squeeze of lemon for a perfect starter or snack. Get the recipe
Granny Smith Guacamole
This guacamole recipe has a pleasant surprise: Granny Smith apples. The fruit gives the popular dip unexpected fall flavor with a slightly sweet twist. Get the recipe
Asian-Influenced Heavenly Grain Bowls
These easy grain bowls, from the cookbook The Blue Zones Kitchen by Dan Buettner, are a healthy way to spin odds and ends left over in the fridge into a delicious lunch or dinner. Beans and legumes provide plant-based protein and lots of fiber. Greens, like spinach, serve up essential vitamins, minerals and fiber. Made with peanut butter, the dressing adds creamy texture and zippy flavor and protein. Get the recipe
Healthy Avocado Cilantro Pasta Salad
In Plate It Perfect, professional food stylist Callie Blount teaches you how to style food to look amazing on all your social media feeds. On this episode of Plate It Perfect, Callie shares how to make a healthy Avocado Cilantro Pasta Salad recipe that will be sure to blow your friends and family away! Get the recipe
Lee Anne Wong’s Curried Tofu and Avocado Dip
Lee Anne Wong, a fan favorite from Top Chef’s season 1 and executive chef at the French Culinary Institute, says the best weight loss advice she ever received was “Don’t fall for gimmicky products that seem healthy, like flavored waters. They are loaded with hidden calories.” Instead, opt for nutrition-packed snacks that will satisfy you, like her curried tofu and avocado dip. Get the recipe
Chicken Avocado & Pear Wraps
Avocado is a great source of the “good fat” that actually lowers cholesterol, and this Chicken, Avocado & Pear wrap is a tasty and unique way to enjoy it. Get the recipe
Avocado & White Bean Dip
There’s a lot to love about these flavor-packed dips from Andrea Stewart’s Recipe Shorts. They, along with the rest of the creations in her cookbook, originally appeared on Twitter as part of her self-set challenge to create delicious recipes in 140 or fewer characters. At a time when recipes are more detailed than ever, Stewart’s tweeted directions leave more to the cook’s discretion — with delicious results. Try Stewart’s easy Feta Dip, Avo & White White Bean Dip and Warm Artichoke Dip. Get the recipe
Roasted Carrot and Avocado with Lime Dressing
This colorful, warm/cool salad is from Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook Cravings: Hungry for More, the followup to her first blockbuster book. Add a poached or soft-cooked egg to elevate this to main-dish status. Get the recipe
Classic Guacamole with Kale
Get your greens in on Cinco de Mayo this year by making this recipe for Classic Guacamole with Kale. The kale is chopped up finely and stirred in, creating a unique and delicious take on guacamole. Grab some chips and dip away! Get the recipe
Jason Mraz’s Chocomole Pudding
“You will freak when you try this chocolate mousse. There’s no sugar in it, there’s no soy products in it, there’s no tofu,” singer Jason Mraz says. “You’re just eating a raw chocolate mousse.” Get the recipe
Avocado, Zucchini & Tomato Salsa
Toss chopped avocado, tomato and zucchini together for a new spin on salsa. Get the recipe
Sizzlin’ Steak Kebabs with Avocado Salsa Verde
Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day celebrations, these kebabs, from grilling guru Elizabeth Karmel’s cookbook, Steak and Cake, uses skirt steak, a long, thin, flavorful cut that’s great on the grill. “These party-friendly kebabs deliver all your favorite taco flavors on a stick,” says Karmel. Double-skewering the meat and onion makes them easier to turn on the grill. Get the recipe
Guacamole with Jalapeno and Red Pepper
Treat your party guests to this classic guacamole – with a jalapeño and red-pepper twist! Get the recipe
Strawberry Tostada
Who doesn’t love a tostada? How about a strawberry tostada? Now we’re talkin’! This dish’s beautiful colors are only second to its incredible flavor. Get the recipe
Steve Young’s Bean Dip (A.M.B. Dip)
This zesty corn, bean, and avocado dip is a Super Bowl party fave of legendary NFL quarterback, Steve Young. Young refers to the recipe as “A.M.B Dip”, named after his friend—the mastermind behind the dish. Young suggests serving it with lime tortilla chips. Get the recipe
Cherry Avocado Quinoa Salad
This quick and easy Quinoa Salad with Cherries and Avocado is a delicious dish. Whip it up in about 15 minutes on a Sunday evening and you have a healthy and delicious option for lunch or dinner for a couple of days. Get the recipe
Food Blogger John Kanell’s Southwest Veggie Burgers with Chipotle Mayonnaise and Pickled Onions
These burgers, adapted from popular food blogger John Kanell’s Preppy Kitchen, are a flavorful vegetarian option made with quinoa and black beans. You can make the pickled onions up to 1 week ahead and refrigerate. Get the recipe
Chrissy Teigen’s Favorite Guac Recipe
Chrissy Teigen’s guac is not your normal guac. It has cheesy sharp cheddar bombs in every bite and she even calls it the most controversial recipe she’s ever created. “Guacamole is a sacred thing to people. Adding cheese to it is kind of like when Bravo introduces a new Housewife. You want to hate her. You don’t like change. But she grows on you and, eventually, you can’t watch the show any other way.” We have to concur, Chrissy, and we also have to admit we now can’t eat guac without sharp cheddar added in so thanks for that! Get the recipe
Patacones with Shredded Chicken and Avocado
Patacones, also known as tostones, are a Latin American food staple. They are simply pieces of green plantain that are fried, then flattened, and then fried again. They’re eaten as an appetizer with various toppings, as a side dish, and used to make soups. You wouldn’t believe just how easy it is to make patacones at home! Get the recipe
Easiest Ever Guacamole
Here’s a fail-safe version of classic guacamole that’s as great with crunchy raw vegetables as it is with tortilla chips. Get the recipe
Blooming Strawberry Rose Tart
This beautiful vegan Strawberry Rose Tart is a tasty red and green masterpiece layered with strawberries and avocado-lemon pudding. It might sound “interesting,” but don’t knock it till you try it. Get the recipe
Peppa Pig Birthday Tart
Peppa Pig is a popular British children’s cartoon. Peppa is cute, she is pink, and she is a pig. Kids love her, and they’ll love this whole fruit tart for a birthday party. Get the recipe
Chef Eugenio Villafaña’s Guacamole
Executive Chef Eugenio Villafaña of the 63-guest room Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa in Mexico’s Riviera Maya on the Yucatán Peninsula says one of the resort’s most popular dishes is guacamole. The dip is actually a Mexican “superfood” due to its massive amount of nutrients. Get the recipe
Bunny Rabbit Easter Tart
Celebrate spring with a sweet, spring bunny rabbit tart. This vegan recipe features a coconut crust, avocado and pineapple pudding and a fun fresh pineapple topping. Get the recipe
Veggie Burger
This vegetarian burger has a healthy but hearty black-bean patty and tons of fresh, flavorful toppings. Get the recipe
Cheap Lazy Vegan’s Easy Vegan Sushi Bowl
This quick and easy sushi bowl recipe is courtesy of Rose Lee of Cheap Lazy Vegan. In her YouTube video she shows that making a vegan sushi bowl takes no time at all—and tastes delicious! And if you don’t have the same toppings or ingredients she has, just swap them for anything else you have laying around that needs to be used up. Get the recipe
Double-“Dippable” Tex-Mex Dip
This layered Tex-Mex dip is fun addition to your game day table. Help from prepared ingredients, like store-bought salsa, make it a quick and easy appetizer. Get the recipe
Fish Tacos
The salmon for these fish tacos is simple to prep and quick to bake, while the avocado mango salsa just requires a little bit of chopping and throwing together in a bowl. No matter what time you get home from work, dinner can be served quickly. Get the recipe
Chorizo and Avocado Rice Bowl
Mexican chorizo is fresh, uncooked spicy ground meat sausage that is usually sold either loose or in a casing. It’s often used on tacos and very classically with scrambled eggs for breakfast in Mexico. If you prefer using a different crumbled cooked sausage, go right ahead! And you can definitely swap around the cheeses–shredded Monterey Jack, cheddar or a Mexican blend, all are good additions to this rice bowl. Get the recipe
Chicken Burgers with Guacamole
This is not your average burger, and it’s about to become your favorite! Lean ground chicken is first blended with cilantro and seasoned bread crumbs, and then crowned with southwestern toppings of seared tomatoes and garlicky guacamole. You’re going to love these chicken burgers with guacamole. Get the recipe
Vegetable Sandwich
Grated carrots, red bell peppers and avocado slices are sandwiched between pieces of bread spread with cream cheese and pesto. Get the recipe
Roasted Olathe Sweet Corn Salsa
Olathe, Colorado is thought to produce some of America’s sweetest corn. Taste it yourself at the annual Olathe Sweet Corn Festival, where for the price of admission, you can eat all the cobs you can get. While the festival does not host a corn cook-off, this recipe is one of the town’s favorites. Get the recipe
Carrot Avocado Gazpacho
Jeremy Bearman is the executive chef of The Restaurant at Malliouhana, a 44-guest room Auberge Resort, set on the gracious Caribbean island of Anguilla. To Malliouhana, Chef Bearman brings his commitment to creating fresh produce-rich dishes that zing with flavor and remain light and nutritionally powerful. Try his popular carrot avocado gazpacho. Get the recipe
Jennifer Aniston’s Favorite Quinoa Salad
“This is a really simple salad, but so delicious, and all these beautiful, healthy ingredients, make it one of my favorites,” says Jennifer Aniston. Get the recipe
Citrus, Strawberry & Avocado Salad w/ Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing
This Citrus, Strawberry and Avocado Salad is eye-candy on a serving platter. Filled with beautifully-hued seasonal oranges, creamy avocado slices and lovely, sweet red strawberries, its crowning glory is a scatter of tangy goat cheese and a drizzle of sweet and savory poppy seed dressing. This delightful salad would be wonderful for lunch, as a first course, or to accompany grilled or roasted chicken, pork or seafood. Get the recipe
Corn and Poblano Tostadas with Guacamole
Grilled corn and poblano tostadas are a fun way to mix it up on Taco Tuesday. Topped with guacamole and a drizzle of sour cream, they’re a flavorful and satisfying meat-free meal. Get the recipe
Thai Peanut Buddha Bowl
Buddha bowls are filling, colorful meals bursting from a large bowl packed with nutritious veggies. Drizzle this bowl with a delectable peanut sauce, which adds crave-worthy flavor to otherwise plain proteins and vegetables. Get the recipe
Avocado Burger with a Side of Tortilla Chips
HellthyJunkFood created an entire “cheat meal” using ingredients their guests collectively chose during a dinner party. The result is a bacon-cheddar-avocado burger with a brioche bun and homemade tortilla chips on the side. Get the recipe
Open-Faced Chipotle Portobello Mushroom Sandwich With Guacamole
Craving a sub, but with more veggies and less bread? This open-face sandwich by Parade chef Jon Ashton is loaded with vegetables and Tex-Mex flavor. If you’re really trying to cut carbs, skip the sliced bread and opt for a low-carb tortilla. Get the recipe
Heart-Healthy Salmon Tacos
This taco recipe swaps fried fish for sauteed salmon, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids known for reducing blood pressure and triglycerides. The slaw adds extra crunch and nutrients, thanks to vitamin K-packed collard greens and vitamin C-rich jicama. Jicama, the low-cal Mexican root vegetable is rich in fiber, but be sure to peel the skin before cutting—it contains rotenone, a natural insecticide that should be not be consumed. Get the recipe
Chicken Tinga Tacos
These weeknight-friendly tinga-style chicken tacos are made with chicken that is shredded and simmered in chipotle chile tomato sauce. If you like it smokier and spicier, use two chiles! Get the recipe
Roasted Turkey, Bacon, Onion Relish and Aioli on Ciabatta
Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio shares this Italian-flavored creation from his upscale New York City ‘Wichcraft sandwich chain. You can prepare the onion relish and aioli up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. Get the recipe
Caribbean Dream Fish Tacos with Mango Lime Salsa
This Caribbean Dream Fish Tacos recipe is fast and easy to make. For the topping, you’ll love the Mango Lime Salsa. It pairs perfectly with the tacos, but is also seriously delicious with just a bag of tortilla chips. The sweetness of the mango, the creaminess of the avocado and the tartness of the lime create a great blend of flavors that go well with chicken and salads too. Get the recipe
Carla Hall’s Black Bean Burger with Peach Pico De Gallo
Sweet peaches, zesty chile peppers and tangy lime juice add verve to this easy-to-make burger topping. You’ll only need about a third of the recipe to top the burgers. Serve the remaining as a dip with tortilla chips. Get the recipe
