Healthy, versatile and delicious — avocados have been trending in American supermarkets and restaurants in recent years. With National Avocado Day coming up on July 31, spend the month preparing your favorite avocado dishes and trying out new ones.
How to celebrate the avocados this year
When it comes to versatile produce, the avocado has become one of the most popular items in recent decades. From the quintessential guacamole to a topping for toast to an ingredient in many of your favorite dishes, avocados can liven up almost any dish.
Summer is the height of the avocado growing season in the U.S., making National Avocado Day on July 31 the perfect time to celebrate this superfood. Here are reasons to celebrate avocados this year and some of the best ways to enjoy them.
Avocado’s rise in popularity
Americans eat almost three billion pounds of avocados per year, according to Statistica. This is the equivalent of about nine pounds of avocados per person, making avocados one of the most popular fruits.
The origin of avocados in the U.S.
Avocados haven’t always boasted this level of popularity. Originating in Central and South America, farmers planted the first avocado trees in the U.S. in the mid-1800s. Over the next century, avocados caught on slowly. Their growing season in the U.S. occurs between February and September. Once picked, avocados are delicate and have a short window of ripeness. So before 2000, avocados were hard to come by and expensive.
This changed when America began importing avocados from Mexico. With more temperate weather, Mexico grows avocados all year long. Combined with domestically grown avocados, the U.S. now has an abundant avocado supply making them both more affordable and readily available.
How avocados became America’s trendiest produce
With avocados at supermarkets year round, avocados started to become more than a guacamole ingredient. Studies showing the health benefits of avocado pushed it to the status of superfood and demand exploded. Bon Appetit explains how avocado demand surged 24% between 2010 and 2012.
Avocados are packed with good fats. These unsaturated, healthy fats provide antioxidants, reduce inflammation and can lower cholesterol. Despite being a high calorie food, avocados can help prevent weight gain, according to Healthline. Avocados are also a significant source of fiber, vitamins C, E, and K, and copper.
Between the health benefits and great taste of avocados, this fruit became a trend that keeps going. Equally trendy dishes like the Millennial favorite avocado toast have only increased the popularity and elevated avocados to one of the most celebrated superfoods.
Culinary versatility and the best avocado recipes for every meal
Fresh guacamole with chips is the perfect showcase for avocado, bringing out the slightly nutty flavor with the perfect guacamole seasoning. Avocado toast is another staple. Mashed or sliced, avocado on toasted bread with your favorite toppings is a satisfying snack.
But guacamole and avocado toast are just the beginning. From savory to sweet, there are dozens of ways to incorporate avocado into your favorite snacks and meals.
Avocado dips and snacks
With a creamy and buttery texture, avocado works well for a range of dips beyond guac. Avocado dip with lime juice, salt and maybe some Greek yogurt for creaminess makes a healthy, low-effort alternative to guacamole that works well for dipping chips, vegetables and more. You can also add diced avocado to mango salsa or other fruit salsas, creating the ideal contrast of sweet and savory.
Avocado is also a filling snack on its own. Add everything bagel seasoning, some olive oil or salt to an avocado half and dig in with a spoon. Making your own avocado toast is another easy option that is more affordable than buying it at a cafe.
Recipe ideas for using avocado
The versatility of avocado means it fits into many cuisines and dishes. Cubed, sliced or mashed, avocado provides a hint of creaminess and flavor. Add it to salads, sandwiches, wraps, tacos and bowls. You can also make avocado crema to drizzle on top of dishes or use as a dip.
For an entree with avocado as the centerpiece, try stuffed avocados. Alternatively, you can stuff squash or peppers with avocado, a protein, tomatoes, beans, quinoa or rice, cheese and other tasty fillings.
Avocado sweets and desserts
Although its savory taste seems counterintuitive to dessert, avocado works well in cakes and brownies. Its high-fat content is the perfect replacement for oil or butter, making a delectably rich dessert. Next to chocolate or your other favorite flavor, the mild taste of avocado disappears.
You can mix an avocado into a fruit smoothie for an extra nutrient boost, or blend up avocado with sweetener, cocoa powder and dairy-free milk for a vegan chocolate pudding.
Celebrating National Avocado Day
While avocados are delicious any time of the year, National Avocado Day is an excuse to order avocado on everything. Avocados are at their ripest and tastiest and are the perfect complement to a warm summer day. Celebrate at home by whipping up your favorite guac recipe, dicing avocado into a salad or Buddha bowl or indulging in an avocado dessert.
Since National Avocado Day started in 2017, many restaurants have celebrated with deals and freebies, and they are expected to do the same in 2024. Chipotle offers free guacamole on National Avocado Day. Del Taco and Rubios Coastal Grill have also offered free chips and guacamole. Watch the social media accounts of local restaurants to see what other deals come up to celebrate the day.
Other restaurants may add avocado to their menus near the end of July. Celebrate the day by trying new avocado-inspired delicacies, or simply treat yourself to your favorite avocado toast.
Embrace delicious and healthy avocado recipes this summer
Whether you discovered your love for avocado through guacamole or avocado toast, or if you liked avocados before they were trendy, National Avocado Day will bring avocado lovers together. Celebrating the day is easy with an avocado that is fresh, flavorful and packed with health benefits.
Kristen Wood is a photographer, food writer and creator of the food blog MOON and spoon and yum. She is also the author of Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook and Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners. Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including Elle, NBC, Martha Stewart, Forbes, Chicago Sun-Times, Tasting Table and more.