This homemade guacamole recipe is as simple as it could get. All you need are ripe avocados, fresh lime juice, salt and pepper. You can switch it up with various mix-ins like onions to make it your perfect, creamy guacamole! This side dish is a must have with any Mexican meal and is made in less than 5 minutes.
Jump to:
- What is guacamole?
- Why you will love this recipe
- Make it a meal
- Ingredients you will need
- How to find ripe avocados
- How to make creamy guacamole
- How to safely cut an avocado
- Mix-Ins
- Storage and shelf life
- Uses for guacamole
- Frequently asked questions
- 📖 Recipe
- PIN THE IMAGE BELOW TO SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
- Never miss a recipe!
Cinco de Mayo is upon us and I am teaching you how to make all your ingredients for delicious tacos completely from scratch. In this post you will learn how to make fresh, creamy guacamole. With only a few simple steps this Mexican side dish is done in no time.
You can serve your guacamole as a dip with some crunchy tortilla chips during your next party, spoon it on top of tacos and tostadas to or simply serve it as a side dish with any Mexican meal!
What is guacamole?
Guacamole is an avocado dip originating in Mexico. The name "guacamole" is derived from the Aztec Nahuatl word "ahuacamolli" which contains the 2 words ahucatl (avocado) and molli (sauce).
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick: You can make this recipe in less than 5 minutes.
- Easy: This delicious Mexican side dish only has a few simple steps
- Few Ingredients: Making guacamole is super simple. For the basic recipe you only need 3 ingredients.
- Versatile: Guacamole is a very popular side dish that can be used for so many dishes!
Make it a meal
Serve this guacamole as a side dish to your tacos like a delicious Cajun chicken taco together with:
- Refried Beans
- Tomato Salsa
- Pickled Red Onions
- Homemade Tortillas
Ingredients you will need
- Avocados
- Lime Juice
- Salt and Pepper
- Cilantro (optional)
- Additional Ingredients: Find examples on how to switch your basic guacamole recipe here.
How to find ripe avocados
The key to amazing guacamole is picking ripe avocados. You will want to get ripe avocados that are still firm and not completely mushy.
Finding ripe avocados can be very difficult especially if you do not live anywhere near where they are growing. So, how do you know what avocado to pick? Here are some tricks
- Look for avocados that still have their stems attached. If the stem is no longer in the avocado it is more likely that you have brown spots or even mold in your avocado as it is open on the top.
- Gently press your finger into the avocado. The avocado should be soft to the touch but not be squishy. Stay away from super soft, mushy or super firm avocados.
- If you can not get a ripe avocado, get a harder one and keep it out on the counter for a few days. Check on them at least once a day. They like to go ripe quickly! Once they have the perfect feel of ripeness put them in the fridge to slow down the process.
How to make creamy guacamole
Half the avocado and scoop it out into a bowl.
Add the lime juice, salt and pepper.
Mash everything till you get the preferred consistency.
Add any additional ingredients you'd like. Find ideas here.
Chefs tip
Add the mashed avocados to a food processor or mixer and pulse a few times to get a super creamy texture.
How to safely cut an avocado
Cutting an avocado without injuring your hand can be tricky. Here are some tips on how to properly cut an avocado and espcially how to safely remove an avocado pit.
- Cut your avocado in half and twist to separate.
- Now there are two ways to remove the avocado pit.
Knife:
Place the half with the pit in it on a cutting board. Get a big knife and tap the pit with it so it gets stuck. Then simply pull out the pit. Be carefully when removing the pit from the knife
Without a knife:
If the knife trick is to risky for you then this is for you. Hold the avocado so you have your thumb on the back of it laying on the skin and 2 fingers on each side of the pit. Then press your thumb firmly into the avocado where the pit is and the pit should pop right out.
- Dice your avocado in the skin with a knife if needed. Make sure not to cut trough the skin. For this guacamole recipe you won't have to dice your avocado.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the avocado. There you go, you safely cut an avocado!
Mix-Ins
Add some additional ingredients to your guacamole to switch it up:
- Onions: Add some onions for some extra crunch
- Garlic: Some people like to add garlic to their guac. If you are a fan of garlic then you should definitely add some!
- Tomatoes: Dice some tomatoes and add them to the guacamole to make a refreshing dip.
- Spicy: Make it spicy with some thinly dices jalapeno or chili
Storage and shelf life
You can keep your guacamole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to keep your avocado green:
Why does guacamole go brown?
There are many fights over the ways to keep your avocado fresh. I have researched and tried many ways and found these 2 options to be the best working ones:
Lemon juice
water
Uses for guacamole
Guacamole is a super versatile side dish. It goes well with most Mexican dishes but also is perfect to serve with any appetizers or as snack.
Use it
- in tacos
- in burritos
- in a 7 layer dip
- in quesadillas
- as a dip with tortilla chips
- on tostadas
Frequently asked questions
Q: I can't mash my avocado cause it is to hard what should I do?
A: If your avocado is not ripe yet you should wait till it gets soft. However, if you can't wait you can simply cut the avocado in small pieces and throw it in a mixer or food processer. Be aware that the guacamole will not taste good in most of the cases if you use avocados that are not ready yet
Q: Is guacamole good for you?
A: Avocados are a great source of healthy fats, natural vitamins, fiber and potassium and therefore make a great healthy meal.
Q: What are the best avocados to use for guacamole?
A: The best avocados to use for guacamole are ripe ones that yield slightly to pressure when squeezed. They should not be too soft or too hard.
Q: Can I make guacamole ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make guacamole ahead of time. Cover it with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Keep in mind that the guacamole will start to turn brown over time. Use some lemon juice to slow that process.
Q: Can I use a food processor to make guacamole?
A: Yes, you can use a food processor to make guacamole. However, it may result in a smoother texture, which some people prefer. Use whatever option works better for you.
Q: Can I omit the cilantro in the recipe?
A: Yes, you can omit the cilantro in the recipe if you don't like it or don't have it on hand. The guacamole will still taste great.
Q: Can I add other ingredients to the guacamole?
A: Yes, you can add other ingredients to the guacamole, such as diced tomatoes or minced garlic, to suit your taste preferences.
Q: How many servings does this recipe make?
A: This recipe makes about 2 cups of guacamole, which is enough for about 4-6 servings as a snack or side dish.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Guacamole
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Fork, potato masher, or similar
- 1 Food Processor Mixer Optional
Ingredients
- 2 Avocados
- Lime Juice from half a lime
- Salt and Pepper
- Cilantro (optional)
- Additional Ingredients (see notes)
Instructions
- Half your avocados and remove the pit. Find some tips on how to safely cut an avocado here.
- Scoop the avocado out of its skin using a big spoon and add them to a bowl.
- Roll your lime on the counter while putting pressure on it with your hand.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lime into you the bowl.
- Mash the avocados using a fork, potato masher or anything similar that works for you.
- If you want a super creamy guacamoly and you have a food processor or a mixer then I highly recommend adding your avocados and the lime juice to that and pule everything to get an extra creamy texture.
- Now would be the time to add any additional ingredients. You can find ideas for your mix-ins in the notes or above in the post here.
- Season with salt, pepper and chopped up cilantro. Adding cilantro is optional but recommended. Most in our family do not like cilantro which is why we usually leave it out and keep chopped up cilantro separat in a bowl.Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Lime Juice: You can also use lemon juice instead
- Onions: Add some onions for some extra crunch
- Garlic: Some people like to add garlic to their guac. If you are a fan of garlic then you should definitely add some!
- Tomatoes: Dice some tomatoes and add them to the guacamole to make a refreshing dip.
- Spicy: Make it spicy with some thinly dices jalapeno or chili
US Customary conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
Your Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
PIN THE IMAGE BELOW TO SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
sarah says
made this guacamole this afternoon and it’s creamy perfection!
Giangi Townsend says
so yummy and creamy. Love it!
Jacqui says
Such a classic made simple and easy!
Katie says
Such a perfect guacamole recipe! I bookmarked this page so I can make it again!
nancy says
homemade guac is the best and i love your interpretation if it.
fede says
Super easy and delicious recipe!! No need to look for other recipes, this one is perfect!
Mallory says
Love this homemade guacamole! Soooo delicious and simple to make.