How to Ripen An Avocado

Step 2

This Avocado is too ripe. This avocado is bright green and very firm. Some varietals are firm and green when ripe, but that's not the case here. This avocado is way too ripe to be any good.

Step 3

Bananas to the rescue. Or apples will work as well. In fact, most any fruit will work, including: tomatoes, kiwis, apricots, peaches, honeydew and many more.

Step 4

Seal them together in a paper bag. Bananas produce a plant hormone called ethylene that can induce ripening. By sealing them with an avocado in a paper bag, you will still allow the fruit to breathe, but the concentration of ethylene will be increased, causing the avocado to ripen more rapidly.

Step 5

It will still take up to 3 days. It still may take several days for the avocado to be ready to eat. And keep in mind that whatever fruit you put in the bag may ripen more rapidly as well.

Step 6

But ripening will go much faster. Still, this is the most effective way to hasten ripening, and the only functional option. I've seen some articles suggest putting an avocado in the oven or a microwave to ripen it up. Neither will work. They might help soften the flesh a little, but you still end up with an unripe avocado.