20+ Unusual Things To Do With Avocado
Avocado is one of the ultimate Paleo super-foods. A great fat source and very versatile, avocado is great in salads and as a breakfast side. But there’s more to the fruit than that! Here is a list of 20 things you didn't know you could do with an avocado.
1. Freeze to use later
Peel and remove the pit and add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a bowl, per avocado. Mash well together and freeze in an airtight bag (making sure you squeeze all the air out before sealing) for up to a year. A great way to preserve an overflow of avocados.
2. Remove the pit with no mess
Cut the fruit in half and hit a knife into the stone. Simply twist the knife to remove the pit.
3. Ripen fast
Put the unripe fruit in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. After two or three days the avocado will be ripe.
4. Can’t wait?
If there’s not time to wait for it to fully ripen, cut from the fat end, as this is always the first part to ripen.
5. Drink it
Blend together an avocado, handful of spinach, a pear and some almond milk for a smoothie packed with good fats
6. Treat your hair
Nourish your hair by mixing an avocado, egg yolk and dash of olive oil. Leave this on your dry hair for 30 minutes before rinsing off and shampooing as usual. Your hair will be silky and soft.
7. Spice up your guacamole
Have you tried adding cumin and orange to your favourite guacamole recipe yet?
8. Pickle it
For a different take on avocado, try jarring it. Heat 250ml (1 cup) white vinegar, 250ml (1 cup) water and a tablespoon of salt in a pan until it boils. Cut three firm but ripe avocado into pieces and put in a jar. Pour the boiling liquid in the jar, and once cooled, put the lid on and allow to marinate in the fridge for a couple for days before using (should keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge)
9. Avocado ice cream
Blend an avocado, frozen banana, a few drops of vanilla extract and small tin of coconut milk. Freeze and once frozen, allow to thaw for a few minutes before serving.
10. Roast chicken
Try stuffing a chicken with a peeled avocado before roasting it
11. Make a chocolate pudding with it
Seriously – you have to try chocolate avocado mousse!
12. Save the pit and grow your very own avocado tree
Suspend the pit in a jar of water using toothpicks in the side of the stone, to submerge all but the top of the seed in water. Eventually the stone will break open revealing a root – and then finally a stalk! Then, quite a long time later you’ll have your own avocado tree and all the fruit you could possibly want.
13. Avocado curry?
Have you ever made a chicken curry with avocado as a base?
14. Roast it
Try roasting avocado, by peeling, removing the pit and slicing. Drizzle with oil and season, then bake at 200C (400F) for about 15 minutes. Roast avocado is great with a salad.
15. Eat the pit
Let the pit dry, grate it and add a small amount to a home-made enchilada sauce.
16. Avocado mayonnaise
Instead of adding mayonnaise to your meal, add pureed avocado instead.
17. Skin therapy
Make a face-mask with avocado, an egg white and a squeeze of lemon juice and wear it for 5 to 10 minutes to get the Vitamin A and E benefits directly on your skin.
18. Summertime treat
Make avocado ice lollies (popsicles) by blending avocado, coconut milk and lemon juice and freezing in popsicle moulds.
19. Make your own Avocado oil
If you've got time, patience – and lots of fruit – you can even make your own avocado oil
20. Avocado soup
Make an unusual – but delightful chilled avocado, cucumber and coconut soup. Blend an avocado, pinch of coriander, squeeze of line and small cucumber, then add a small can of coconut milk to the mix. Blend, then serve with some coconut flakes to garnish.
21. Use avocado as a baby’s first food
Avocado is an ideal first food for babies starting solids. It’s naturally soft, easy to mash, and full of healthy fats essential for brain development. For Paleo families raising their kids with ancestral nutrition in mind, mashed avocado is a nutrient-dense alternative to processed baby foods.
22. Create a creamy salad dressing
Instead of traditional dressings that may contain seed oils and additives, try blending half an avocado with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs to create a Paleo-friendly creamy salad dressing. It’s thick, flavourful, and totally dairy-free.
23. Use avocado to thicken soups and sauces
Instead of using cream or flour to thicken soups or sauces, add a ripe avocado towards the end of cooking and blend it through. It adds a velvety texture without altering the flavour too much, and keeps the dish firmly within Paleo guidelines.
24. Bake avocado fries
Cut avocado into wedges, dip them in whisked egg, coat with crushed almond or coconut flour, and bake until crispy. These Paleo-friendly “fries” are a perfect side dish or snack — crunchy on the outside, buttery on the inside.
25. Make a green Paleo hollandaise
Combine avocado, lemon juice, egg yolks, and ghee in a blender to create a green twist on hollandaise sauce. Ideal for eggs or roast veggies, this sauce adds richness and healthy fats to your meals.
26. Make an avocado fat bomb
For those following a low-carb Paleo or keto-Paleo approach, fat bombs made from avocado, coconut oil, cacao powder, and a touch of vanilla can be a great high-fat snack that keeps you satiated.
27. Use avocado in baking
Swap out butter or oils in Paleo muffin or brownie recipes and replace with mashed avocado. It keeps baked goods moist and dense without affecting flavour, while sneaking in extra nutrients.
28. Add avocado to Paleo sushi
Avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats to your Paleo sushi rolls. Wrap with cauliflower rice and nori sheets, then fill with sliced avocado, cucumber, and salmon for a delicious and grain-free sushi experience.
29. Soothe sunburn with avocado
The nourishing oils and antioxidants in avocado can be used to relieve sunburned skin. Mash and apply directly to the skin for 15 minutes before rinsing off — ideal for sensitive areas after an Aussie summer day.
30. Upgrade your breakfast scramble
Add diced avocado right at the end of your scrambled eggs or omelette. It not only brings a creamy contrast to the texture, but the combination of protein and fat makes for a more satisfying Paleo breakfast.
Avocados: The Paleo All-Rounder
Avocados go far beyond simple slices on toast (which, let’s be honest, isn't very Paleo). They’re one of the most versatile and nutritious additions to a whole-food, ancestral lifestyle. With a bit of creativity, this humble fruit can feature in every meal — from breakfast to dessert — and even in your skincare routine.
If you’ve discovered an out-of-the-box way to use avocado that fits the Paleo lifestyle, I’d love to hear it in the comments!
Inside the Paleo Vegetarian and Vegan Recipe Book | What’s Included & Benefits
I’m thrilled to announce my new Vegetarian and Vegan Paleo Recipe ebook has just been launched!
With almost 40% of those following a Paleo diet having at one stage been either Vegan or Vegetarian, there seems to be a real lack of information in this area – something I want to change.
Many Paleo sources seem very definitive in saying that you cannot be both Paleo and Vegan or Vegetarian – but I think there is middle ground. Whilst eating animal products seems to be optimal, I think by cutting out grains and legumes you can make significant health improvements.
Vegetarians and Vegans tend to rely heavily on grains for calories and legumes for protein, so one of the key aims in the recipe book has been putting together recipes with a good, Paleo, protein source. Eggs are obviously a great protein source, but not on the menu for Vegans, so I’ve not lent too heavily on eggs in this book.
I’ve also noticed how difficult it is for people who decide to start eating meat, having been a Vegetarian or Vegan for some time. I devote a chapter in this book to transitioning to eating meat – as this is not an easy step to take. When starting to eat a Paleo diet, having relied heavily on grains and legumes, it can be difficult. I’ve therefore added in a chapter on properly preparing grains and legumes. Whilst not Paleo, traditionally prepared grains are far safer, and can make the move away from grains far easier than going cold turkey.
The book features a balance between quick and simple recipes and more substantial Paleo Vegan recipes. With soups, salads, bakes gratins, side dishes, main courses and snacks – I’ve tried to make sure there is something for everyone.
Currently only available in ebook format (watch this space for the print version, later in the year), this book has over 100 pages of beautifully photographed recipes. Recipes are Paleo and Vegetarian – with over three quarters being Vegan and Paleo (i.e. no animal products such as eggs and dairy, as well as no meat).
I’d love to hear your feedback on this book and if you’ve followed a Vegan or Vegetarian diet, how your journey has been.
You can buy the Vegetarian and Vegan Paleo Recipe ebook here for $17.
Buy Two or more Paleo Recipe Ebooks and Save
The book is $17, but I offer big discounts if you buy more than one of my recipe books in one transaction – you can find the bulk prices here.
Making Paleo Work for Plant-Based Lifestyles
When most people hear the word “Paleo,” they immediately picture meat-heavy meals, bone broths, and a primal emphasis on animal-based nutrition. But for those who prefer a more plant-centric approach, there’s still ample opportunity to benefit from the foundational principles of a Paleo lifestyle. In fact, many traditional cultures thrived on largely plant-based diets, incorporating nuts, seeds, tubers, and seasonal vegetables long before modern agriculture introduced processed grains and refined sugar.
Rather than seeing Paleo and plant-based eating as mutually exclusive, the goal should be to find synergy. Emphasising real, whole foods, free from artificial additives, seed oils, and highly processed ingredients, can drastically improve wellbeing, energy levels, and even mental clarity. If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting the ethical or environmental alignment of a plant-based diet and the ancestral nutrition of Paleo, this book offers a much-needed bridge.
Overcoming Nutritional Challenges Without Grains or Legumes
One of the main concerns when cutting out grains and legumes is ensuring you’re still meeting your nutritional needs, particularly protein, iron, and B12. While supplementation may be necessary for some (especially B12 for strict vegans), there are many whole-food sources that offer a nutritional punch. Think activated nuts and seeds, fermented vegetables, leafy greens, avocado, sea vegetables, and root vegetables like sweet potato and taro.
Soaking and fermenting traditionally problematic foods like lentils, chickpeas, and rice (for those transitioning slowly) can help neutralise anti-nutrients and reduce digestive discomfort. Although not technically Paleo, including properly prepared versions of these foods in the short term can be a smart strategy for long-term sustainability and gut health as you adapt to a grain-free and legume-light lifestyle.
Favourite Paleo-Friendly Plant-Based Ingredients
- Coconut: From coconut oil to milk and flour, it’s a versatile fat source and great for baking, curries, and creamy dressings.
- Sweet Potato: A reliable source of slow-burning carbohydrate and a comforting base for stews, mash, and bakes.
- Chia Seeds: Packed with omega-3 fats, fibre, and protein, they’re perfect for puddings, smoothies, or egg replacements.
- Cauliflower: Whether blitzed into rice, blended into mash, or roasted whole, cauliflower adds bulk and variety.
- Zucchini: Spiralised, grilled, or layered into lasagne sheets, zucchini is as adaptable as it is abundant.
How to Transition Mindfully from Vegetarianism or Veganism
For those who’ve followed a vegan or vegetarian diet for years, introducing meat back into your life can feel emotionally and physically challenging. It’s not uncommon to experience digestive discomfort, guilt, or confusion about what to eat. That’s why I’ve included a thoughtful chapter on this topic in the ebook. There’s no one right way to reintroduce animal products, and no pressure to rush. Some begin with bone broth or fish; others opt for eggs or well-sourced chicken. The key is to listen to your body, honour your reasons for change, and take a gradual, respectful approach.
Community Matters: Why Your Story Helps Others
Everyone's journey with food is unique. Whether you’ve gone from raw vegan to Paleo, or simply cut out processed grains to manage autoimmune symptoms, your story can help others feel less alone. One of the most powerful tools we have is community. Sharing your experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised you—can make all the difference to someone just starting out. I always love hearing from readers, especially those navigating the tricky space between philosophies. Your voice adds to the collective knowledge and breaks down rigid dietary boundaries that often hold people back from better health.
Tips for Making Your Kitchen Paleo-Vegan Friendly
Even if you’re the only one in your household following a Paleo-Vegan lifestyle, there are lots of simple swaps and preparations that make day-to-day cooking easier:
- Keep a stash of frozen veg: Cauliflower rice, spinach, and stir-fry mixes are a lifesaver on busy days.
- Batch cook on Sundays: Roast trays of vegetables, cook up a pot of coconut curry, and prepare dressings or dips for the week.
- Stock your pantry with staples: Coconut aminos, almond butter, tahini, tinned tomatoes, dried herbs, and activated seeds can help you throw together meals in minutes.
- Invest in a high-speed blender: For creamy sauces, smoothies, and soups—it’s one of the best tools in any plant-based kitchen.
Beyond the Recipe Book: Lifestyle Shifts That Complement Paleo
Food is just one piece of the puzzle. When you start eating in a way that supports your health, you’ll likely feel a ripple effect across other areas of life. Prioritising sleep, spending time in nature, and moving your body regularly all go hand-in-hand with eating whole, nourishing food. Many people find that once they ditch the inflammatory foods, they naturally have more energy to exercise, cook, or even meditate. Embrace the flow and build on your wins—small changes compound over time.
Want More Paleo Inspiration?
Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly recipes, meal prep ideas, or guidance on navigating eating out, there’s more to explore across the site. Keep an eye out for upcoming resources that cater specifically to those walking the line between Paleo and plant-based. And if you haven’t already, make sure you’re signed up for the newsletter to get exclusive recipes and updates.
Thanks so much for supporting this book—it means the world to me. If you know someone who might benefit from a Paleo-inspired, plant-based approach, feel free to share the link. Together, we can challenge the assumption that it’s meat or nothing and create space for a flexible, informed way of eating that puts health and whole foods first.