How To Safely Remove the Pit from an Avocado, According to Experts

Here’s a hint: Put the fruit down.

From bright, citrusy salads to cozy chicken chilis, there are some dishes I’d just rather not eat if I don’t have a few slices of perfectly ripened avocado on hand.

Ever since I started loving this oh-so-coveted fruit, I’ve prepared it by cutting it in my hand, as I’ve seen many a family member and TV chef do. I start by slicing into the flesh lengthwise until my knife hits the pit. Then, I rotate the avocado with the knife blade still inserted until it’s cut in half from its stem to its wide bottom. Removing the knife, I twist the two hemispheres to separate them, then cup the half that holds the pit in my palm. With a confident whack, I hack into the pit with the heel of my knife and twist it out of the soft, green fruit.

I never really stopped to think about how strange it is that avocado is the only ingredient I slice into without a cutting board. That is until I learned how frequently people seriously injure themselves using the same technique that I have used.

It is, of course, dangerous. Surely, there’s a way to cut an avocado that doesn’t involve hurling a sharp knife toward my open hand. For the sake of my digits, I decided I needed to consult the avocado experts at Del Monte to help me approach the fruit with a little more tact. Luckily Kirk Marquardt, Senior Director of Sales at Fresh Del Monte North America, had a few tips to keep my hands safe as I prep avocados to my heart's content.

Read More: The Only Way You Should Store Avocados, According to Hass Avocado Expert

The Best Way To Cut an Avocado

According to Marquardt, the most important step in cutting an avocado is to first make sure it's ripe! An unripe avocado's hard interior is slippery. That makes the fruit difficult to handle. To ensure easier slicing, select an avocado with "dark green skin and fruit that is still slightly firm but gives in to gentle pressure," Marquardt advises.

Once you've selected your ripe avocado, Marquardt suggests removing its stem for easier slicing. When an avocado is ripe, a simple twist of the fruit while holding the stem will separate it without much effort.

To slice it, instead of holding the avocado in your hand, place it on a cutting board, and then use your knife, inserting the blade lengthwise and turning the fruit while it’s resting on the surface until it’s completely cut in half. When you've separated the halves, put down the knife and pick up a spoon, using it to safely scoop out the pit, a task that's easily accomplished if your avocado is ripe.

The Best Way To Store a Halved Avocado

To slow the ripening process once you’ve cut your avocado, Marquardt recommends storing it in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator. For an added layer of protection, wrap each cut half with plastic wrap first. The less exposure to air, the better! If you’d like to keep your avocado looking pristine, a squeeze of citrus on the exposed flesh will help prevent discoloration and browning.