✔ Updated · 50 avocado recipes: dips, breakfast, salads, mains, desserts
Avocado is the most useful thing in my fruit bowl: creamy, buttery and happy in everything from breakfast toast to chocolate mousse. Here are 50 easy ways I use it, sorted by meal.
The most popular avocado recipes are guacamole, avocado toast, baked eggs in avocado, avocado tomato or corn salad, avocado chicken salad, shrimp-stuffed avocado, creamy avocado pasta, sushi rolls and avocado chocolate mousse. Use ripe avocados that give slightly when pressed near the stem, and add lime or lemon juice to keep cut avocado green.
- 5-minute ideas: avocado toast, guacamole, avocado tomato salad.
- Make-ahead: avocado hummus, black bean salad, chocolate overnight oats.
- Surprise sweet: chocolate mousse, brownies and ice cream.
Avocado Dips, Spreads and Sauces
Start with ripe avocados: my mum taught me to cradle one in my palm and press gently near the stem. If it gives a little, it's ready. Rock-hard? Here's how to ripen avocados fast.
1. Classic Guacamole
Mashed ripe avocado with lime, onion, cilantro, jalapeno and salt. Chunky, bright and gone in minutes.
How: Mash 3 avocados with the juice of 1 lime, 1/4 cup minced onion, cilantro, 1 minced jalapeno and 1/2 tsp salt.
2. Mango Guacamole
Classic guac with sweet diced mango folded in. Great with fish tacos and tortilla chips.
How: Fold 1 diced ripe mango into a batch of classic guacamole and add an extra squeeze of lime.
3. Avocado Corn Salsa
Diced avocado, sweet corn, tomato, red onion and lime. Half dip, half salad.
How: Toss diced avocado with corn, tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt just before serving.
4. Avocado Hummus
Extra-creamy hummus blended with a ripe avocado and lots of lemon.
How: Blend 1 can chickpeas, 1 avocado, 2 tbsp tahini, lemon juice, garlic and a splash of water until silky.
5. Avocado Lime Crema
A cool, tangy drizzle for tacos, burrito bowls and grilled chicken.
How: Blend 1 avocado with 1/2 cup sour cream, lime juice, a little garlic and salt until smooth.
6. Creamy Avocado Pesto
Basil pesto made extra silky with avocado. Toss it with warm pasta or spread it on sandwiches.
How: Blend basil, 1 avocado, parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, lemon and olive oil until smooth.
7. Avocado Greek Yogurt Ranch
Herby ranch dressing made with yogurt and avocado for a creamy dip or salad dressing.
How: Blend 1 avocado, 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, dill, chives, garlic powder, lemon and milk to thin.
8. Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
A bright, herby dressing for salads, grain bowls and dunking raw veggies.
How: Blend avocado, parsley, basil, chives, lemon, a little anchovy or capers, olive oil and water.
Avocado Breakfast Recipes
Avocado makes breakfast feel a little special with zero extra effort. A pinch of flaky salt and a squeeze of lemon is all it needs.
9. Avocado Toast
Crisp toast piled with smashed avocado, lemon, chili flakes and flaky salt, plus plenty of topping ideas.
Get the recipe →10. Baked Eggs in Avocado
An egg baked right in the avocado half until the white sets. Low-carb and very cute.
How: Crack a small egg into each pitted avocado half and bake at 425°F for 15 to 18 minutes, until the white is set.
11. Avocado Tomatillo Breakfast Tacos
Scrambled eggs, tangy tomatillo salsa and sliced avocado in warm corn tortillas.
How: Fill warm tortillas with soft scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, tomatillo salsa and crumbled cotija.
12. Avocado Breakfast Burrito
Eggs, crispy potatoes, cheese, salsa and avocado wrapped up tight. Freezer-friendly without the avocado.
How: Wrap scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, cheddar, salsa and sliced avocado in a large warm tortilla.
13. Avocado Smoothie
A thick, creamy green smoothie with avocado, banana and spinach. Tastes like a milkshake.
Get the recipe →14. Avocado Egg Breakfast Sandwich
A toasted English muffin with a fried egg, cheese and smashed avocado.
How: Layer a fried egg, a slice of cheese and smashed avocado with salt and pepper on a toasted English muffin.
15. Chocolate Avocado Overnight Oats
Rich, chocolatey oats made creamy with avocado. Breakfast that tastes like pudding.
How: Blend 1/2 avocado with milk, cocoa and maple syrup, stir in rolled oats and chill overnight.
16. Avocado Quinoa Breakfast Muffins
Savory muffins with quinoa, egg, cheese and avocado, ready to grab and go.
How: Mix cooked quinoa, eggs, cheddar, diced avocado and scallions, spoon into muffin cups and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
17. Avocado Breakfast Bowl
Eggs, black beans, salsa, avocado and a little rice or greens in one bowl.
How: Top warm rice or greens with black beans, a fried egg, sliced avocado, salsa and a squeeze of lime.
Avocado Salads
Add the avocado last and toss gently so it stays in neat chunks instead of turning to mush.
18. Avocado Tomato Salad
Juicy tomatoes, avocado and red onion in a simple lime and olive oil dressing. Five minutes, tops.
How: Toss chunks of tomato and avocado with thin red onion, olive oil, lime juice, salt and cilantro.
19. Avocado Corn Salad
Charred corn, avocado, tomatoes and lime. My favorite barbecue side all summer.
How: Char corn kernels in a dry skillet, cool, then toss with avocado, tomato, red onion, lime and cilantro.
20. Guacamole Salad
All the flavors of guacamole in a crunchy chopped salad with peppers and beans.
How: Toss avocado, black beans, grape tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion and jalapeno with lime and olive oil.
21. Avocado Black Bean Salad
A hearty, protein-packed salad that holds up well for lunches.
How: Combine black beans, corn, avocado, red pepper and cilantro with a lime cumin vinaigrette.
22. Avocado Chicken Salad
Creamy chicken salad made with mashed avocado instead of most of the mayo.
How: Mash 1 avocado with lime, a spoon of mayo or yogurt, then fold in cooked chicken (cooked to 165°F), celery and red onion.
23. Cobb Salad
The classic: chicken, bacon, egg, blue cheese, tomato and avocado in tidy rows.
How: Arrange chopped chicken, bacon, hard-boiled egg, tomato, avocado and blue cheese over romaine with red wine vinaigrette.
24. Shrimp Avocado Salad
Juicy shrimp with avocado, cucumber and a zesty lime dressing.
How: Toss cooked shrimp (145°F, pink and opaque) with avocado, cucumber, red onion, cilantro and lime.
25. Avocado Caprese Salad
Tomato, mozzarella and basil with creamy avocado slices tucked in, finished with balsamic.
How: Layer tomato, fresh mozzarella and avocado slices with basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze and flaky salt.
Sandwiches, Wraps and Tacos
Slice avocado for sandwiches right before building them, and season it straight on the board with salt and pepper.
26. Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich
Tuna mixed with mashed avocado, lemon and celery. Lighter and creamier than mayo-only.
How: Mash 1 avocado with lemon and mix with 1 can drained tuna, celery, red onion, salt and pepper.
27. Crispy Chicken Avocado Wraps
Crunchy chicken strips, avocado, lettuce and ranch in a warm tortilla.
How: Wrap crispy chicken strips (165°F), sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, tomato and ranch in large tortillas.
28. Avocado Black Bean Quesadillas
Melty cheese, black beans and avocado in a crisp tortilla.
How: Fill tortillas with cheese, black beans and avocado slices and cook in a skillet 2 to 3 minutes per side.
29. Chipotle Shrimp Tacos
Smoky chipotle shrimp in warm tortillas with avocado, slaw and lime.
Get the recipe →
30. Veggie Burgers with Avocado
Hearty veggie burgers topped with avocado and spicy green harissa.
Get the recipe →31. Turkey Avocado Club
A stacked club sandwich with turkey, bacon, tomato, lettuce and avocado.
How: Layer toasted bread with turkey, crisp bacon, tomato, lettuce, avocado and mayo, then cut into triangles.
32. Avocado BLT
The classic bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, made creamier with avocado.
How: Add sliced avocado and a pinch of salt to a BLT on toasted sourdough.
33. Avocado Grilled Cheese
Gooey cheddar and Monterey Jack with avocado and a little tomato, griddled until golden.
How: Butter sourdough, fill with cheese, avocado and tomato, and cook over medium-low heat 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Avocado Mains, Bowls and Sushi
From no-cook pasta to sushi night at home. For raw fish in poke and sushi, buy fish sold for raw use and keep it cold.
34. Shrimp-Stuffed Avocado
Avocado halves filled with a zesty shrimp cocktail salad. An edible bowl, no dishes.
How: Mix chopped cooked shrimp with cocktail sauce, celery and lemon and pile it into avocado halves.
35. Creamy Avocado Pasta
Pasta tossed in a silky no-cook sauce of avocado, basil, garlic and lemon. Ready in 15 minutes.
How: Blend avocado, basil, garlic, lemon, olive oil and pasta water, then toss with hot spaghetti.
36. Dynamite Sushi Roll
A crispy, creamy roll with spicy mayo and avocado. Easier at home than you think.
Get the recipe →
37. Spicy Salmon Sushi Bake
All the flavor of a spicy salmon roll in a scoopable casserole, topped with avocado.
Get the recipe →38. California Roll
Imitation crab, cucumber and avocado rolled inside-out in seasoned sushi rice.
How: Spread sushi rice on nori, flip, add crab, cucumber and avocado, roll tightly with a bamboo mat and slice.
39. Salmon Poke Bowl
Marinated sushi-grade salmon over rice with avocado, cucumber, edamame and sesame.
How: Toss cubed sushi-grade salmon with soy, sesame oil and scallion; serve over rice with avocado and cucumber.
40. Chicken Burrito Bowl
Cilantro lime rice, seasoned chicken, beans, corn, salsa and plenty of avocado.
How: Layer cilantro lime rice, sliced seasoned chicken (165°F), black beans, corn, salsa, cheese and avocado.
41. Grilled Avocado Halves
Avocado halves charred on the grill and filled with salsa. Smoky, warm and creamy.
How: Brush halves with oil, grill cut side down 2 to 3 minutes, then fill with pico de gallo and a squeeze of lime.
Avocado Soups and Sides
Avocado turns bitter if cooked for long, so add it to soups after cooking and keep fried avocado quick and hot.
42. Chilled Zucchini Avocado Soup
A cool, creamy summer soup of zucchini, avocado, herbs and lemon.
How: Simmer zucchini and onion in stock until soft, cool, blend with avocado, lemon and herbs, then chill.
43. Crispy Avocado Fries
Avocado wedges in a crunchy panko coating, baked or air-fried, with lime crema for dipping.
How: Dip wedges in flour, egg and seasoned panko and air-fry at 400°F for 7 to 9 minutes.
44. Avocado Bruschetta
Toasted bread topped with avocado, tomato, basil and a sticky balsamic reduction.
How: Top toasted baguette slices with diced avocado, tomato, basil and garlic and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Avocado Desserts
Yes, really. Avocado's mild, buttery flavor disappears behind chocolate and gives a silky texture. Not sure what to expect? Read what avocado tastes like first.
45. Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Silky, rich chocolate mousse with avocado as the secret creamy base. Nobody guesses.
How: Blend 2 ripe avocados, 1/2 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup maple syrup, vanilla and a pinch of salt; chill 1 hour.
46. Easy Avocado Ice Cream
Pale green, creamy and lightly sweet with lime. No ice cream maker needed.
How: Blend avocado, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and whipped cream, freeze in a loaf pan for 6 hours.
47. Avocado Brownies
Fudgy brownies with mashed avocado standing in for some of the butter.
How: Replace half the butter in a brownie recipe with mashed ripe avocado and bake as usual.
48. Avocado Chocolate Truffles
Rich chocolate truffles made creamy with avocado, rolled in cocoa.
How: Mix melted dark chocolate with mashed avocado, chill until firm, roll into balls and coat in cocoa.
49. Double Chocolate Avocado Banana Bread
Moist, fudgy banana bread with avocado and chocolate chips.
How: Use 1/2 cup mashed avocado in place of the oil in chocolate banana bread and fold in chocolate chips.
50. Chocolate Hazelnut Avocado Spread
A homemade chocolate hazelnut spread made creamy with avocado. Keep it in the fridge.
How: Blend toasted hazelnuts to a butter, then blend in avocado, cocoa, maple syrup and vanilla. Chill and use within 3 days.
Avocado Guides
Everything else you need to know about buying, ripening and storing avocados.
How to Ripen Avocados
Speed up a rock-hard avocado on the counter, in a paper bag or the oven, and tell when it is ready.
Get the recipe →
What Does Avocado Taste Like?
The buttery, nutty, mild flavor and texture of avocado, and how ripeness changes it.
Get the recipe →
Can You Freeze Guacamole?
Yes. How to freeze and thaw guacamole so it stays green and tastes fresh.
Get the recipe →How to Store Cut Avocado
- Half an avocado: keep the pit in, brush the cut side with lemon or lime juice, wrap tightly and refrigerate. Use within 1 to 2 days.
- Guacamole: press plastic wrap right onto the surface to block air, refrigerate and eat within 2 days. Don't leave it out for more than 2 hours.
- Ripe whole avocados: move them to the fridge to buy 3 to 5 extra days.
- Freezing: mashed avocado with lime freezes well for smoothies, dips and baking for up to 3 months.
- A little brown on top? That's just oxidation. Scrape off the top layer and the green underneath is fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I make with ripe avocados?
Ripe avocados are perfect for guacamole, avocado toast, smoothies, avocado pasta sauce, chicken or tuna salad and chocolate mousse. Very ripe, soft avocados are best mashed or blended; firmer ripe ones are better sliced for salads, sandwiches and sushi.
How do you keep avocado from turning brown?
Coat the cut surface with lime or lemon juice, keep the pit in a half, and wrap it tightly so air can not reach it. For guacamole, press plastic wrap directly on the surface. Browning is harmless oxidation; just scrape the top layer off.
Can you cook with avocado?
Yes, briefly. Avocado can be baked with an egg inside, grilled for 2 to 3 minutes, or breaded and fried as fries. Long cooking can turn it bitter, so add avocado to soups, pasta and hot dishes at the end, off the heat.
How do you know when an avocado is ripe?
Hold it in your palm and press gently near the stem. A ripe avocado gives slightly without feeling mushy, and the skin of Hass avocados turns from green to almost black. If the little stem cap pops off and it is green underneath, it is ready.
Can you use avocado in baking?
Yes. Mashed avocado can replace some or all of the butter or oil in brownies, chocolate cakes, banana bread and muffins. Use about the same amount, and pair it with chocolate or strong flavors so its green color and mild taste stay hidden.
