20 Ways to Use Avocado in Foodservice

There’s no hotter fruit than the avocado—and no shortage of ways to use it. Once only popular in guacamole, you’ll now find this plant-based superfood in everything from ice cream to craft cocktails to starring on top of the trendy brunch toast. According to Datassential, avocado toast is mentioned on 7.6% of U.S. restaurant menus, up +10% over the last year.¹

Why the major shift? Avocados are quite versatile and considered a healthy fat, which means they add richness to dishes without compromising their healthy halo. And it’s popular:

• 34% of consumers prefer adding avocado to their burgers²
• 62% of consumers love or like guacamole¹
• 23.6% of bowl offerings include avocado, up +55.8% over the last 4 years¹
• 80 LTOs launched since Jan 2023 have included avocado³

The challenge, however, is that consumers want avocado in dishes year-round, yet fresh avocados’ taste and texture vary throughout the seasons. This is where frozen avocado comes in, offering chefs consistent quality, availability and pricing so that they don’t miss a beat.

For Devon Quinn, chief culinary officer at Chicago-based The Paramount Group, the creamy avocado is considered a staple at his restaurant Eden as well as on the catering menus, which often accommodate hundreds of guests at a time. One of his favorite year-round applications is avocado mousse.

“We make avocado mousse that makes its way into several salads and entrées,” Quinn says. “It is a great way to make something creamy and dairy-free. For our avocado mousse, we use calamansi vinegar to acidify, flavor and keep the avocados from oxidizing. We use it in a pre-prepared mousse form for ease of use and at events. It's challenging to cut a lot of avocados to order, so we pre-cut, purée and hold on ice to keep the green color.”

While Quinn uses fresh produce as much as possible, he says there’s an advantage to using frozen avocado when his team is staging large-scale events. “Frozen avocado pulp is useful if you are making large amounts of guacamole or other salsas,” he says. “It’s necessary when doing large numbers."

Other smart ways to use avocado

Additional ways Quinn uses avocado on his menus include:

• As a vegan alternative when substituting for burrata on salads
• Charred on the wood-fired grill
• Used to thicken smoothies instead of yogurt
• Sliced on top of Eggs Benedict
• Used in agua chile for ceviche
• In signature salad dressings

Looking for even more inspiration on ways to use avocados on your menus? Here are 20 original recipes from the Simplot Culinary Team certain to appeal to diners any time of the day.

Breakfast/Beverages

1. Avocado Toast
This classic, shareable brunch dish may be enjoyed any time of the day. It uses Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Halves and Simplot RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Simply Sweet® Cut Corn.
View Recipe »

2. Avocado and Coconut Cold Foam Coffee
Certain to be a Gen Z fave, this on-trend, plant-based drink calls for Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen.
View Recipe »

3. Avocado Coconut Smoothie
Naturally sweet and packed with delicious nutrition, this silky sipper features Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen.
View Recipe »

4. Green Applecado
Apple, spinach and avocado work together to give guests an afternoon energy burst with this refreshing beverage. It’s prepared with Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen.
View Recipe »

Appetizers

5. Asparagus and Avocado Soup
It’s all the green deliciousness you’ll need in one bowl. Make it ultra-creamy with Simplot Simple Goodness™ Asparagus, Cuts & Tips 6/2.5lb and Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen 12/1lb.
View Recipe »

6. Kimchi Loaded Street Fries
A spicy Sriracha-avocado sauce pulls this globally-influenced dish together with the addition of Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen and Simplot SIDEWINDERS™ Fries Junior Cut.
View Recipe »

7. Carrot Soup with Avocado Crema
Classic carrot soup is instantly elevated with avocado crema made from Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen.
View Recipe »

8. Fried Avocado Toast
Ideal for shareable or cocktail party menus, the concept takes the brunch favorite well into the evening. Use Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Chunky Avocado Pulp, Fresh, and Simplot Traditional Potatoes Tiny Triangles to complete the dish.
View Recipe »

9. Avocado and Artichoke Dip
Versatile from hot (serve with crostini, chips) to cold (alongside crudité or as a sandwich spread), this dip uses Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Diced Avocado.
View Recipe »

Entrées

10. Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich
This modern spin on the classic egg salad sandwich uses Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Extreme Supreme Guacamole, Frozen.
View Recipe »

11. Delivery Avocado Burger
A classic, all-American burger should always be on the delivery menu, and this one comes with a side of creamy guacamole. Top with Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Western Guacamole, Frozen.
View Recipe »

12. Jamaican Jerk Chicken Bowl
Loaded with traditional Caribbean flavors, plus Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Diced Avocado, Frozen, this dish is certain to be a crowd pleaser.
View Recipe »

13. Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Flatbread
Certain to be a plant-based sensation on your menu, this flatbread is loaded with Simplot RoastWorks® RTE Roasted Mediterranean Vegetable Blend, feta, balsamic glaze and Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Diced Avocado, Frozen.
View Recipe »

14. Naan Flatbread with Avocado, Bacon and Tomato
This Indian-inspired bite is ideal for a takeout lunch special. It uses Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen and Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Diced Avocado, Frozen.
View Recipe »

15. Poke Bowl
Avocado is a staple in poke bowls, and here, Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Halves, Frozen is used along with Ahi tuna, red cabbage, seaweed salad and Simplot Simple Goodness™ Shelled Edamame.
View Recipe »

16. Roasted Birria Fries
Roasted lamb birria, melted cheese and house-made avocado crema are folded over Simplot SeasonedCRISP® Delivery+® Savory Battered 8-Cut Crinkle Cut Wedges. Served with Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Chunky Avocado Pulp, Frozen and fresh lime wedges.
View Recipe »

Dessert

17. Avocado Brownies
Avocado is a better-for-you substitute for butter. Rich and thick, this recipe calls for Harvest Fresh Avocados™ Avocado Pulp, Fresh.
View Recipe »

18. Avocado Truffles
Guests will feel good about devouring these dark chocolate truffles made with creamy Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen.
View Recipe »

Dressings & Toppings

19. Creamy Buttermilk Avocado Salad Dressing
There’s nothing conventional about this salad dressing. The key ingredient is Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen.
View Recipe »

20. Avocado Butter
It’s pure decadence atop a juicy ribeye or filet mignon steak. The butter may also be used on pastas or toast. Use Simplot Harvest Fresh™ Avocados Avocado Pulp, Frozen.
View Recipe »

Find more avocado products, recipes and inspiration here »

¹ Datassential MenuTrends, 2023
² Technomic Burger CTR, 2023
³ Datassential Scores, Jan-Aug 2023