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    Home » Food News

    Published: Jul 30, 2019 · Modified: Dec 29, 2021 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 21 Comments

    Why is My Avocado Stringy?

    Let's be honest, avocados are expensive. When they have strings or threads in them, we want to know why and how to still enjoy that pricey fruit.  I have done some research on why this happens. I have also had enough of these unfortunate avocado mishaps to figure out many ways to still get my avocado fix and not waste my money throwing them away.

    Strings (fibers) in Your Avocado?

    The brown strings found in avocados are actually more common than we wish.  It turns out, these “strings” or "threads" are the fibers  (vascular bundles) of the fruit.  There are numerous reasons why some avocados have them.   Even some avocado varieties are more susceptible than others when it comes to being stringy.

     

    Stringy Avocado

    Stringy Avocado

     

    Why Does This Happen to Good Avocados? 

    So I did some “googling” research and asked around, including the nursery where we bought our avocado sapling almost 10 years ago.  There was not a lot of information out there so I wanted to share what I have found out.  

    The main reasons I have found all point to a few possible reasons for these fibers:

    • Immature trees -  they will produce better fruit as they mature (our tree is about 12 years young in avocado years)
    • Types – certain types are more prone to strings (Haas less likely but Stuart is more likely to be stringy – we have a Bacon avocado tree)
    • Improper storage – damage to the fruit before it is ripe may also cause extra strings in the stem area (handle your avocados with great care)

     

    Can You Eat a Stringy Avocado?

    YES!  Yes, it is ok to eat an avocado that is stringy.  Below I show you how to still enjoy that avocado by doing one easy step. What results is smooth creamy avocado flesh that can be used in numerous ways. Several recipe ideas are below as well. 

    That is the good news in this story. As long as the flesh is still green and not brown, there is no reason to throw it out. You have likely spent a good chunk of change on this avocado and the last thing you want to do is waste your hard-earned money.    

     

    How to Still Enjoy the Avocados? 

    Avocados are expensive so the last thing we want to do is waste them.  No one enjoys having floss-like strings in their avocado either.  Therefore, here are some things you can do to still enjoy those stringy/fibrous avocados that you paid good money for. Or in my case, saved from the squirrels getting to them.

    When still eating the flesh of the avocado after you have separated it from the stings and fibers, there are many ways to still enjoy it. Here are two of my favorite recipes that I make and are great when you add strained avocados to the recipe or serve the smashed avocado on the side as a sauce or dip. 

    Homemade Ranch Dressing without Mayo (Keto & Low-Carb)
    This ranch dressing is so delicious, no one will know it is made without mayo. It is cool, creamy, and herby just like a true ranch dressing should be. With no added sugar, it is keto-friendly and low carb.
    Check out this recipe
    homemade keto ranch dressing in a glass cup with celery and carrots to dip

     

    Party Perfect Deviled Eggs
    Creamy and tangy deviled eggs are party-perfect food and crowd-pleasing appetizer. This easy recipe is keto, low-carb, gluten-free, and diabetic too.
    Check out this recipe
    party perfect deviled eggs

     

    Jump to Recipe

     

    Southern Pimento Cheese
    Pimento (pimiento) Cheese is a true Southern staple for any get-together. This classic recipe is a crowd-pleaser and my version has only a bit of mayo but all the creaminess. This easy appetizer is wonderful for keto, low-carb, and gluten-free diets.
    Check out this recipe
    Southern Pimento Cheese

     

    Best Keto Chicken Enchiladas
    The best chicken enchilada recipe is a low-carb and keto dream thanks to the Crepini egg thins. Stuffed with chicken, cheese, and sour cream to satisfy everyone.  
    Check out this recipe
    Beautifully baked keto chicken enchiladas with Crepini egg thins

     

    Dips for Sweet Potato Fries
    The best dips for eating with sweet potato fries are these two quick and easy recipes. Here is not just one but two terrific dips to serve with your favorite french fries.  Each dipping sauce is a wonderful combination of 3 simple ingredients to make a yummy dip to serve with sweet potato fries. 
    Check out this recipe
    Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries featured overhead of plate of fries and dipping sauce

     

    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries
    For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen crinkle-cut french fries in the air fryer, try this recipe. They will be hot, crispy, and yummy with just the right amount of time to cook in the air fryer. Plus delicious dips and seasonings to add for the best air fryer french fries.
    Check out this recipe
    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries recipe card plate with ketchup ready to eat

     

    Watermelon Pico de Gallo (salsa)
    Sweet and spicy watermelon pico de gallo is the summer salsa great with chips or on seafood tacos.
    Check out this recipe
    watermelon pico de gallo

    Save your Avocado from Strings & Fibers

    Simply push the avocado through a fine strainer to separate the fibers from the fruit - see photos below.  I have a small tea strainer that I use for this.  What remains is smooth creamy avocado goodness. It does take a bit of time but it is worth it and there are many ways to still enjoy the avocado, recipes listed below.  Additional recipe ideas too, please continue scrolling. 

     

    Stringy Avocado

    Stringy Avocado & fine-mesh strainer

     

    Stringy Avocado

    Stringy Avocado pushed through a fine-meshed strainer

     

    Stringy Avocado

    Strings left behind

     

    Smooth avocado, no strings

    Creamy avocado (no strings attached) with fried egg and bacon  (keto heaven!)

     

    Recipes to Make with Strained Avocado:

    • Add to a smoothie
    • Make creamy guacamole
    • Spread on toast
    • Top/Spread on eggs, burgers, or sandwiches
    • Whip up chilled avocado soup

     

     

    What would you make with avocado if you found it was stringy? 

     

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

     

    Why is My Avocado Stringy PIN

     

    Product Recommendations for this Article:

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

     

     

    « Sunshine Blogger Award
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristi says

      September 16, 2019 at 7:40 am

      Thanks for the info. There are times your scenario plays out in my household. Oh the grief of that stringy avocado. I’ve gotten used to just making stuff with it anyway.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 16, 2019 at 5:26 pm

        It sure is a sad scenario, isn't it. Now you know some more options on how you can enjoy them, string free as they should be.

        Reply
    2. Debra says

      September 16, 2019 at 9:42 am

      I'm so jealous you have an avocado tree. We buy ours in bulk at Costco because we can go through 5-6 in a week! Sometimes they do end up with strings, so now I know what to do. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 16, 2019 at 5:25 pm

        Yes, our avocado tree does cause a lot of jealous feelings. Even when we have a lot, we hate to waste any so those darn strings were not going to get the best of me and those avocados.

        Reply
    3. Christen Scofield says

      September 16, 2019 at 10:47 am

      Great article!! I had absolutely no idea what the strings were from, or how to get rid of them. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 16, 2019 at 5:23 pm

        Great, glad I can help. Next time this happens, remember to not throw it away and use one of my ideas to still eat it.

        Reply
    4. Anne says

      September 16, 2019 at 8:24 pm

      Great simple fix, who knew?! And I luv the recipes that you gave with the avocado--shall definitely add avocado to the next batch of deviled eggs I make.

      Reply
    5. Makyla says

      September 17, 2019 at 6:32 am

      Ahhh so that's why! I always wondered but it never occurred to me to actually find an answer or a way around it! Great information and great tips to work around the unwanted string avocados can sometimes produce!

      Reply
    6. Irene says

      January 30, 2020 at 7:22 am

      Great post, and thank you for including an easy solution!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 30, 2020 at 4:11 pm

        Thank you - happy to hear this is helping people. No one should ever waste an avocado.

        Reply
    7. Ekim Yazici says

      February 08, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      I was horrified to find strings in an avocado for the first time in my life (53 here). I had no idea what this strange event which befell me was. I'm so thankful I found this page. Great idea. I was already getting ready to live my life without them until I found this article.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        February 08, 2020 at 8:04 pm

        I am so glad I was able to help and save your avocado! Enjoy.

        Reply
    8. Tamara says

      February 08, 2020 at 7:48 pm

      I did not know this! Love the idea of straining and still being able to enjoy a stringy avocado! Thank you for sharing!!

      Reply
    9. Beth Shields says

      March 13, 2020 at 6:26 am

      Very interesting. I don't think I have ever had a stringy avocado or just didn't notice. Thanks for sharing - I will keep a look out. I use them all the time!

      Reply
    10. Linda says

      August 01, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      oh, my goodness! Lol, you saved me right now with this page! Lol. I went on a research rampage trying to find out what those things in my avocado were! I thought they were worms that somehow got in at some point but I couldn't find an entry point lol!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        August 02, 2020 at 8:03 am

        Oh, I am so glad you found this post and your answer to what the strings/fibers are in your avocado. I hope you still enjoyed it and made something yummy.

        Reply
    11. Nisha says

      September 19, 2020 at 1:20 pm

      Wonderful tips and thanks for sharing them. How wonderful to have an avocado plant ! We had a sapling growing but sadly it didnt't survive the winter.

      Reply
    12. Joe says

      October 16, 2020 at 11:01 pm

      I pick avocados on Oahu and when it is in season I have at least 2 a day. It’s perfect size. When I was a kid we use to call them pears because a lot of them were shaped that way.. as far as strings I think it has to be maturity of the single fruit itself. But sometimes in the same tree a different younger fruit does not have strings. So much for that theory. The trees here in the mountains are more than 30 feet tall with a lot of in the city trees are 15 to 20 feet tall or less than..
      I like to sprinkle a little lemon and sugar and call it good. In fact I just had half of one that I picked 2 days ago.
      It’s awesome I love it...

      Reply
      • Angela says

        October 17, 2020 at 8:55 am

        Thanks for sharing that story and all the love of avocados (pears) in Hawaii. My grandma grew up on Maui and still to this day she eats 2-3 avocados a week. She likes them just sliced with lemon and salt. Sometimes a fancy salad with tomatoes and red onion too. I cannot wait for my trees to get that big here in California and to be mature enough we do not have as many strings or fibers in our avocados.

        Reply
    13. Keith Baker says

      February 02, 2021 at 11:20 am

      If you still want pieces or slices, I found that cutting it crosswise with a sharp knife effectively "hid" the strings! The thinner, the less they stand out. Do this with the skin ON and peel the skin off each slice, and you will have an easier time of it.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        February 02, 2021 at 4:26 pm

        Thanks for sharing. Next time I come across a stringy avocado I will try that too.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat and explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that enjoys cooking with and for my family, traveling to try new cuisine, and constantly learning about food, drink, & how it touches all our lives.

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