How to Safely Cut an Avocado

1 Keep the Avocado on the Board While You Cut Around It

Image Source: Photos courtesy of the California Avocado Commission

Turn the avocado on its side and secure it to the board by holding the top with the tips of your fingers. Be sure none of your fingers are in the way as you run a sharp chef's knife around the center of the diameter. You need an extrasharp knife for this. Then, roll the avocado 90 degrees and repeat the process to end up with four avocado pieces.

Pro tip: I find it's easier to start the incision on the top of the avocado. Grip the avocado with a bear-claw grip (like you use when slicing other veggies). Keep your fingertips curled under and out of the way of the knife's path. Cut the center of the avocado, then rotate it to the side and continue slicing around.

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2 Open the Halves

Image Source: Photos courtesy of the California Avocado Commission

Grip each side of the avocado and twist your hands in separate directions (one rotating toward your body and one away from your body). This motion should make the avocado pop open in half. The seed will stick to one side of the avocado.

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3 Separate the Four Parts

Image Source: Photos courtesy of the California Avocado Commission

For the side with no seed, simply separate the two halves into two parts. For the side with the seed, repeat the same action you did before. Firmly grip the two sides and rotate your hands in opposite directions. One portion will slip off the seed.

Now, you are left with one quarter with the seed. Do not attempt to "hack" at the seed with your knife. This is too dangerous! Instead, place the avocado quarter on the board, with the skin side perpendicular to the board. Secure the avocado to the board with your bear-claw grip. Make sure none of your fingers are near the knife as you push the seed out (away from your body) using the blade of your knife, moving parallel to the board. It should pop right off!

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4 Peel the Quarters

Image Source: Photos courtesy of the California Avocado Commission

Rather than scoop the avocado out of its skin with a spoon, peel back the skin like a banana. That way you don't lose any precious avocado. Also, you don't want to miss out on any nutrients. According to CAC, "The greatest concentration of carotenoids, or beneficial plant pigments, is in the dark green fruit closest to the skin."

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5 Slice It Up

Image Source: Photos courtesy of the California Avocado Commission

Some people like to slice and dice the avocado inside the skin, but this is dangerous as the knife can accidentally cut through the skin and your hand. Instead, follow safe knife skill practices.

Place the flat side of the avocado quarter on the board. Position your hands like a bear claw to keep the slippery avocado firmly on the board, then slice down. To keep the avocado from sticking to your knife, try slicing it with the tip of your knife. Drag the tip of the knife toward your body. Just be sure to move your other hand away with each slice.

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6 Dice Up the Same Way

Image Source: Photos courtesy of the California Avocado Commission

Dice the slices into smaller pieces, if you'd like. Now, enjoy your avocado, minus any visits to the ER.

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