Guacamole Recipe
There’s a magical moment when you scoop into a bowl of homemade Guacamole: the creamy avocado, flecks of red onion, pops of juicy tomato, and the lively bite of jalapeño all meld together and instantly transport you to a sunny Mexican cantina. Whether you’re prepping for game night or just need a vibrant snack, this Guacamole is that fresh, zesty classic you’ll want to make on repeat—and you won’t believe how quickly it comes together, either!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Guacamole is all about using fresh, top-notch ingredients—each one plays an important role in flavor, texture, or color. Gather a few essentials and you’re on your way to the perfect dip, every time.
- Avocados: The star of the show, choose ripe avocados for creaminess and subtle nutty flavor.
- Red onion: Brings a gentle crunch and a splash of piquant, spicy-sweet flavor to balance the richness.
- Roma tomatoes: Provide juiciness and gorgeous color without making your Guacamole soggy.
- Jalapeño: Adds just the right hint of heat—adjust the amount or leave in some seeds if you like a spicy kick!
- Fresh cilantro: A bright, citrusy herb that ties all the flavors together with a taste of freshness.
- Lime juice: The zingy ingredient that pumps up flavor and keeps your Guacamole from turning brown.
- Salt: Makes every ingredient pop and balances the creamy avocados.
- Ground cumin: This subtle spice offers an earthy undertone and a mysterious depth.
- Garlic (optional): For a bit more punch, mince a clove—totally up to your personal taste!
How to Make Guacamole
Step 1: Prep the Avocados
Slice each ripe avocado in half, pop out the pit, and scoop the emerald flesh into a medium mixing bowl. Don’t worry about perfection here—a few avocado pieces give your Guacamole delightful texture!
Step 2: Mash to Perfection
Using a fork, gently mash the avocado until you have a mostly smooth consistency with a few chunky bits. The key here is not over-mashing—those creamy pockets and small avocado pieces are what give classic Guacamole its signature character.
Step 3: Add the Vegetables and Herbs
Toss in the finely diced red onion, chopped Roma tomatoes, minced jalapeño, and chopped fresh cilantro. These add layers of crunch, color, and bright flavor that set a great Guacamole apart.
Step 4: Season Everything
Pour in the fresh lime juice, sprinkle with salt, a pinch of ground cumin, and add the optional minced garlic if you like a punchier bite. These seasonings wake up every ingredient and make the flavors absolutely pop.
Step 5: Mix and Taste
With a gentle hand, stir everything together so all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Take a little taste and adjust with more lime juice, salt, or jalapeño if you’d like. Your perfect Guacamole is completely up to you!
How to Serve Guacamole
Garnishes
For an irresistible Guacamole presentation, scatter extra chopped cilantro or a few slices of fresh jalapeño on top. A light dusting of flaky sea salt or some diced tomatoes can make your bowl look restaurant-worthy!
Side Dishes
Guacamole loves company—classic tortilla chips are the go-to, but try pita chips, vegetable sticks, or even spooning your dip onto tacos, burrito bowls, or inside quesadillas. It adds creamy, tangy magic to just about anything.
Creative Ways to Present
Try spooning your Guacamole into little cups or mini tostada bowls for party snacks, or swirl it onto toast with a sprinkle of seeds for a fresh brunch idea. For a show-stopper, layer Guacamole in parfait glasses with pico de gallo and black beans.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Guacamole at its freshest, press a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface to minimize air exposure and pop it in the fridge. This helps prevent browning and keeps those flavors vibrant for up to two days.
Freezing
While Guacamole’s texture is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it in a pinch—just skip the tomatoes and onion, as they tend to get watery. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir in any fresh ingredients after defrosting for best flavor.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat Guacamole, but if the dip gets a little too chilly from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. Give it a good stir and add a squeeze of lime to revive the flavors.
FAQs
How do I keep Guacamole from turning brown?
The trick is to cover your Guacamole with plastic wrap pressed directly on its surface to block out air, then refrigerate. Adding a little extra lime juice over the top also helps preserve that fresh green color!
Can I make Guacamole ahead of time?
Absolutely—just be sure to prep it close to serving time for the brightest flavor. Store it airtight in the fridge and hold back on adding tomatoes until just before serving if you want to keep everything super crisp.
Is Guacamole healthy?
Guacamole is packed with heart-healthy fats from avocados, loads of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and can fit most healthy diets beautifully as long as you watch the salt and your dippers.
Why is my Guacamole watery?
Watery Guacamole usually happens if your tomatoes are extra juicy or overmixed. Try seeding the tomatoes and gently folding them in at the end to preserve the classic thick, chunky texture.
Is it okay to use lime juice from a bottle?
Fresh lime juice is always best for Guacamole—it’s more vibrant and less bitter than bottled varieties. In a pinch, bottled lime juice will work, but you might want to add a little zest for extra freshness.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of homemade Guacamole to liven up your table—fresh, flavorful, and impossibly easy. Give this recipe a try and let your next gathering shine with a dip everyone will be reaching for again and again!
Print
Guacamole Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This classic guacamole recipe is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties, game days, or simply as a delicious snack. Creamy avocados mixed with vibrant fresh ingredients create a flavorful dip that pairs perfectly with crunchy tortilla chips.
Ingredients
Guacamole:
- 3 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions
- Cut the avocados: In a medium mixing bowl, scoop the avocado flesh and mash it with a fork.
- Add ingredients: Stir in onion, tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, cumin, and garlic.
- Mix: Combine all ingredients well and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with tortilla chips or refrigerate with plastic wrap for later.
Notes
- For spicier guacamole, leave some jalapeño seeds or use serrano peppers.
- To prevent browning, press plastic wrap onto the surface before refrigerating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
