How to Tell if an Avocado Is Overripe
1. It Feels Soft and Mushy
Giving an avocado a gentle squeeze is the best way to test its ripeness. A perfectly ripe fruit should yield slightly but not leave a mark. If a dent remains where you pressed, it’s past its best. A small indent may mean it’s overripe but still edible, while deeper dents—or the sensation of the flesh collapsing inside the skin—indicate it’s no longer good to eat. If the skin already looks dented or deflated before you even pick it up, the fruit has likely gone bad.
2. The Skin has Gone Black
Hass avocados—the most common variety worldwide—darken as they ripen, shifting from bright green to deep greenish-brown. When the skin turns nearly black, the fruit may be past its prime, so use the squeeze test to be sure.
3. The Flesh is Dark and Stringy
Healthy avocado flesh should be a pale, uniform green. As the fruit overripens, it can develop brown patches or streaks, black spots, or a stringy, fibrous texture. A few small dark spots are usually bruises and can be trimmed away, but flesh that’s dark and fibrous—especially if it feels soft or mushy—is likely past its best.
4. It Smells or Tastes Odd
If your avocado smells or tastes off, don’t eat it. An unpleasant odor or sour, rancid flavor can indicate spoilage or bacterial growth—both of which can make you sick.
5. It’s Moldy
This one’s a no-brainer: moldy avocados are well past their best and should be discarded.
Is an Overripe Avocado Safe to Eat?
Even with the best intentions, we don’t always remember to check our avocados every day—and some inevitably go past their prime.
While you should never eat a rotten avocado, there’s a point where it’s simply too soft for slicing but still fine to eat.
Slightly overripe avocados will give a little when squeezed and may have darker flesh with a few brown spots that can be trimmed away. Avoid any that have streaky or fibrous flesh, an unpleasant smell or taste, or visible mold.
When You Shouldn’t Eat It
- When You Shouldn’t Eat It
- Mold anywhere on the skin or flesh
- Slimy texture or grayish flesh
- Sour, chemical, or rancid smell
- Strong, bitter taste
When It’s Still Okay to Eat
- A few small brown spots (just scoop them out)
- Soft texture but no off smell
- Flesh that looks darker but still tastes normal
While overripe avocados aren’t ideal for slicing, they’re easier to mash or purée—perfect for dips and spreads. If your avocados are just a little past their prime, try turning them into one of these simple recipes.
4 Easy Recipes for Overripe Avocados
1. Avocado Spread
A creamy avocado spread on sourdough toast makes an easy, nutrient-rich brunch. Slightly overripe avocados are perfect for spreads since their softer texture mixes effortlessly with other ingredients.
Try this quick easy avocado spread recipe from The Anthony Kitchen—ready in minutes.
