Home recipe How to Ripen a Rock Hard Avocado with the Microwave FAST!

How to Ripen a Rock Hard Avocado with the Microwave FAST!

by Stephanie

Did you know you could Ripen a Rock Hard Avocado with the Microwave? I can’t believe I didn’t know this trick until just a few weeks ago. I use this method all the time to soften avocados for adding to dishes, making guac, avocado toast, etc.

The reason I tried this was my 14 year old is obsessed with avocados. She wants an avocado on everything, and the ones I bought over a week ago are the hardest avocados in the world because they are still no riper than when I bought them, still rock hard. 

Title image for a quick and fast method to ripen avocados in the microwave in minutes

But, did you know? You can ripen one in 2 minutes? Like for real! I have experiment with this  multiple times, and it comes out perfect every single time. I don’t know how I never figured this out. 

Supplies Needed:

  • Hard Avocados
  • Plastic Wrap or Parchment Paper

How do you Ripen Avocados in the Microwave Fast?

Two halves of an avocado on a black service

Wash the avocado.

Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. 

An avocado on a black surface with the pit removed

Wrap each half in plastic wrap or parchment paper. I prefer parchment paper as I’ve read studies where plastic wrap can melt in the microwave and tiny drops of it can get in the food.

VERY IMPORTANT: Do not cook on the main setting. Set the microwave to Medium HIGH (I set mine at 60%).

Cook the halves for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Flip the avocados over. (MAKE SURE THE MICROWAVE IS STILL AT MEDIUM HIGH LEVEL). Cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute. You may need to flip them a third time and heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute. 

Remove halves with potholder. THEY WILL BE HOT! You should be able to gently press through the potholder and feel they are a little squishy.

Place the halves in a bowl of ice water, until they are cooled down to touch.

A yellow bowl with avocado just ripened in the microwave.

When you unwrap them, the skin of the avocado is going to look weird. It seems to always come out looking green with black dots on it for me. So I wanted to warn you.

Close up of smashed avocado in a yellow bowl with a fork

When they are cool, scoop out the avocado into a bowl and mash. 

What can you eat with mashed avocado?

  • Super Simple Guacamole
  • Avocado Toast
  • Add Boiled Eggs for a Protein-Packed Avocado Toast
  • Add to a smoothie for extra creaminess
  • Add to brownie batter for a protein-packed dessert
  • Add a dollop on top of most Mexican dishes
  • Mix into scrambled eggs

Mexican Dishes to add to Mashed Avocado

Ripen Avocados in the Microwave
Yield: 1/2 cup

Ripen Avocados in the Microwave

Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Additional Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 4 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 unripen avocado

Instructions

  1. Wash the avocado.
  2. Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. 
  3. Wrap each half in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
  4. Set the microwave to Medium HIGH (I set mine at 60%).
  5. Cook the halves for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  6. Flip the avocados over. (MAKE SURE THE MICROWAVE IS STILL AT MEDIUM HIGH LEVEL). Cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute. You may need to flip them a third time and heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute. 
  7. Remove halves with potholder. THEY WILL BE HOT! You should be able to gently press through the potholder and feel they are a little squishy.
  8. Place the halves in a bowl of ice water, until they are cooled down to touch.
  9. When they are cool, scoop out the avocado into a bowl and mash. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 322Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 14mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 13gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g

Any nutritional information on justmicrowaveit.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate.

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