Do You Leave the Avocado Pit in Guacamole?

March 4, 2010

When serving guacamole, some people like to throw an avocado pit into the mixture; the pit is supposed to prevent the avocado from browning quickly. I'm not one of those people — I never leave a pit in guacamole. It looks ugly and I figure the addition of plenty of fresh lemon or lime juice will stop it from turning brown. Also, who wants to maneuver around a giant pit when trying to scoop guac with a tortilla chip? Not me. How do you feel about it?

30 Comments

DCStar 3 years 10 weeks

Whaaaat? Eww, no way!

DCStar 3 years 10 weeks

Whaaaat? Eww, no way!

roxyb 3 years 10 weeks

Guac never lasts long enough in our house to go brown!

danakscully64 3 years 10 weeks

When I'm making a bunch for a large group, I leave it in unless it's going to be eaten immediately. I swear, there's a difference when it's left out at room temp for a few hours. My sister learned it from her baby Daddy's family (they're Mexican-American).

3 years 10 weeks

Leaving the pit in to prevent browning is an old wives' tale. The flesh of avocados naturally oxides when exposed to air. Just like potatoes, apples, pears, eggplants, artichokes, etc. They all eventually start to brown after you've cut into them. The citric acid in the lime juice generally used in guacamole helps to prevent that, but eventually even lime juice-laden guacamole will brown too. The only way to prevent any browning is to keep a layer of plastic wrap in direct contact with the surface of the guacamole until you're ready to serve it. Some avocados brown slower than others depending on ripeness. But if you use the pit to prevent browning and store it for a while before you're ready to serve, the only part of the guacamole that will remain green is the part underneath the pit.

CaterpillarGirl 3 years 10 weeks

if there is leftover Guac, which is a rarity I dont leave the pit in, i just take plastic wrap and press it down on top and make sure there isnt any air getting to it. Works every time.

cherrypie61 3 years 10 weeks

We all in Mexico leave the pit in. It's the most common trick to prevent guacamole from turning brown and it really works.

cherrypie61 3 years 10 weeks

We all in Mexico leave the pit in. It's the most common trick to prevent guacamole from turning brown and it really works.

lexichloe 3 years 10 weeks

Ok, I LOVE avocados...so I'm a purist. I don't eat guacamole. I don't hate it, just don't eat it. I frequently slice a ripe avocado and squeeze an ample amount of lemon juice all over it...and enjoy it. YUMS

carrothead 3 years 10 weeks

i do leave it, but i really don't think it helps any. my avocado still turns brown and ugly!!

ollada 3 years 10 weeks

I leave the pit in just when I am storing it and leave it out for serving.

fuzzles 3 years 10 weeks

And it shall be known as a...buacdog! :D

fuzzles 3 years 10 weeks

I'm on it!

fuzzles 3 years 10 weeks

I'm on it!

chiefdishwasher 3 years 10 weeks

How about a bacon wrapped guacamole dog?

Spectra 3 years 10 weeks

I've never done that. I usually just put a little lime juice in it to balance the flavor out.

AmberHoney 3 years 10 weeks

The pit theory stinks - I've been eating guac for over 1/2 a century and have tried it a gazillion times, it doesn't work. Plus who has leftovers :)

fuzzles 3 years 10 weeks

The lime juice works fine for me. However, I have heard that if you wrap the guac in bacon...

jessvogel85 3 years 10 weeks

I might try leaving the pit in sometime. My guac always goes brown!

RoaringSilence 3 years 10 weeks

I don't believe in the pit story. Someone ought to prove it to me.

kimmberli 3 years 10 weeks

ive heard that leaving the pit in the extra half of the avocado keeps it from turning brown when you put it back in the fridge. i always do it, but i'm really not sure that it makes much of a difference... as for my guac, i always add a lot of lime anyway, so there's no need to keep the pits in.

darc5204 3 years 10 weeks

If I'm serving it with other mexican foods for a dinner party, I usually keep the pits. It looks more authentic that way.

chiefdishwasher 3 years 10 weeks

The juice works fine for me.....no pits in the way of constant dipping!