Learn how to make the BEST Guacamole at home! This simple, homemade avocado dip is made with fresh, authentic ingredients and bursting with all the Mexican flavors you love, plus it's so easy to make!
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I have a handful of recipes that I've returned to over and over through the years, and my homemade Guacamole is one of them. It's perfectly chunky, loaded with healthy, authentic ingredients, and absolutely mouthwateringly delicious. It's also won rave reviews from all my family and friends ... trust me, you may want to make a double batch!
Everyone seems to like their Guac are certain way, which I totally get. I've made this creamy avocado dip just about a million different ways, and this is my favorite version.
I think this scrumptious dip is pretty perfect as-is, but it also couldn't be easier to customize. And I'll show you how to change up the basic recipe based on your ingredients and your exact tastes!
Ready to try this crave-worthy recipe for yourself? You only need ten minutes and a few simple ingredients ... keep reading for all the delicious details!
Ingredients
This Mexican avocado dips uses simple, authentic ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Avocados - The best avocados for Guac are the Haas variety, which have dark green, bumpy skin. Haas avocados have the best flavor and creamiest texture, and thankfully, they're also the most common and very easy to find.
- Onion - A bit of onion livens up the whole dip. White, yellow, or red onions will all work great, so use whatever you have on hand.
- Lime - Don't skip the fresh lime juice! It brightens up all the other flavors, and along with the avocados and salt, it's one of the most important ingredients.
- Garlic - A little fresh garlic adds another layer of flavor to this irresistible dip.
- Cilantro - This yummy herb gives this recipe tons of fresh flavor. If you're not a fan, just leave it out.
- Tomato - Juicy tomatoes are so delicious in this homemade dip. The best tomatoes for guacamole are ripe, but fairly firm. I typically use plum tomatoes, but you can use other tomatoes as long as they aren't too soft and juicy.
- Salt - Don't skip the salt ... it brings out all the other flavors! I recommend using Kosher salt for the best taste.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, and gluten free ... which means everyone can enjoy it!
How to Tell If an Avocado Is Ripe
You can tell an avocado is ripe by gently squeezing it. It should have a little give, but shouldn't be soft or mushy feeling. Another way to tell is by checking the stem end. If you remove the small stem, and it's green underneath, then your avocado is ready to eat. If it's brown, then it's probably overripe, and if it doesn't want to come off, it's not quite ripe yet.
It's fine to buy avocados that aren't ripe. Just let them sit on your counter until they're ready to eat ... this can take up to four to five days, depending on how hard they are. It's difficult to predict, but once an avocado is ripe, eat it as soon as possible!
How to Make Guacamole
Homemade Guacamole couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Prep the ingredients. Before you cut open the avocados (which have a tendency to brown quickly), prepare the other ingredients. Remove the seeds from the tomato, then dice. Mince garlic and chop cilantro. Finely dice the jalapeño. Cut the lime into wedges. Finely dice the onion, then using a fine mesh strainer, rinse it under cold water (this is optional, but will reduce the sharp bite).
- Mash avocados. Once your other ingredients are ready, it's time to mash the avocados. Cut the avocados in half, remove their seeds, and scoop the pulp into a bowl. Lightly mash with a fork. Don't go overboard here (unless you prefer smooth guacamole), because the fruit will continue breaking down as you mix in the other ingredients.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Add the tomato, garlic, cilantro, onion, lime juice, jalapeño, and salt to your bowl, then gently mix everything together.
- Season to taste. Before serving, make sure to taste the dip. Add more salt and lime juice, if needed.
And that's all there is to it ... pretty simple, right?
Secret to the Best Guacamole Ever
The secret to the BEST Guacamole EVER (lol) is super simple ... it's the seasoning! Avocados on their own are fairly bland, so that's where your two key ingredients come in: lime juice and salt. Always taste this avocado dip before serving ... the flavors should be bold and bright with a slightly acidic edge.
If your dip tastes bland, mix in more salt. If the flavors are flat (but salty enough), then you should add more lime. Often, you'll need to use a combo of the two to perk things up.
Tip: When gathering ingredients for making Guacamole, always buy extra avocados and limes. Avocados are one of those touchy ingredients that can go from good to bad super quickly, so it's not a bad idea to grab a couple extra ... at worst, you can make more dip! Limes are another key ingredient, and the amount of juice can vary wildly from lime to lime. It's better to have extras on hand, than to be stuck with dull dip.
Variations
This recipe is incredibly flexible ... you can easily change things up based on your preferences and the ingredients you have on hand! Here are some ideas:
- No Tomatoes - Feel free to leave out the tomatoes. I often prepare this recipe without them, and it turns out just as delicious ... check out my Simple Guacamole Recipe without Tomatoes for details!
- No Cilantro - Can't stand cilantro? No problem, just skip it.
- Basic - If you're missing a few ingredients, don't let that stop you from preparing this dip. I've made this recipe with as little as avocados, limes, and salt (the three essential ingredients), plus a little cayenne for some heat.
- Smooth and Creamy - This Guac is served chunky, however it's easy to make it creamy and smooth if you prefer. Start by mincing the onions, garlic, cilantro and jalapeño as finely as possible. (Or you can mash them together to create a paste, grate them using a cheese grater, or mince with your food processor.) I'd probably skip the tomato. Mash the avocados until smooth, then stir in the other ingredients, plus the lime juice and salt. Mix until creamy.
- Lemon - Out of limes? While the finished dip will have a slightly different flavor, you can use a fresh lemon in a pinch.
- Less Spicy - Can't take the heat? Cut down on the jalapeño or leave it out all together. You could also add just a dash of cayenne or hot sauce. Make sure to remove the seed and membranes from the jalapeño before dicing them, too. That's where most of the heat lies.
- Spicier - Are you a spicy food lover? For extra punch, leave in the seeds and membranes when dicing the jalapeño. You could mix in a bit of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes, use spicier peppers (like habaneros or serranos), canned chipotles, or add your favorite hot sauce (I love this Secret Aardvark Sauce!).
- Spices - Typically, I like to let all the fresh flavors shine here, but it's fun to experiment with different spices and seasonings from time to time! If you'd like to try this for yourself, stick to Mexican spices, like cumin, chili powder, cayenne, or even coriander. Garlic powder can also be used in a pinch, if you're out of fresh garlic.
Toppings
Want to get fancy? Give this easy Guacamole recipe the star treatment by adding a special topping or two:
- Cheese - Add a sprinkle of crumbled cotija or queso fresco, or even feta.
- Diced Tomatoes - Top with diced tomatoes or even pico de gallo (drain first).
- Grilled Corn - Savory corn is another delicious topping idea.
- Beans - Give your dip a tasty Tex Mex twist by topping with black beans!
- Pomegranate - Beautiful pomegranate seeds are an especially lovely touch around the holidays!
- Fruit - Other fruits, like grilled pineapple or fresh mango would also be delish.
- Pickled Onions - Add a pop of color (and flavor), by topping this appetizer with bright pink Pickled Onions.
- Pepitas - These salty pumpkin seeds make a unique addition to this traditional dip. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds would also be tasty.
- Cilantro - A sprinkle of cilantro is the perfect finishing touch ... so simple and fresh!
Serving Suggestions
Wondering what to eat with this yummy Mexican dip? Tortilla chips are a classic, of course, but don't sleep on crackers, pretzels, or corn, plantain or potato chips. It's also great paired with fresh veggies, like grape or cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, jicama, carrots, and cucumbers.
Don't stop at snacking though ... there are so many other ways to use this delicious dip! Of course, it's great served with Mexican and Tex Mex foods like tacos, nachos, fajitas, and enchiladas. But it's also wonderful on everything from burgers to toast, beans, baked potatoes, chili, fries, and so much more! Here are a few recipe pairings to try:
- Black Bean Taquitos
- Texas Nachos
- Tofu Tacos
- Crunchy Black Bean Tacos
- Mexican Baked Eggs
- Black Bean Edamame Burgers
- Roasted Veggie Fajitas or Halloumi Fajitas
- Black Bean and Butternut Squash Enchiladas
- Breakfast Tostadas
- Tex Mex Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Breakfast Enchiladas
- Roasted Veggie Quesadillas
- Mushroom Quesadillas
- Egg and Potato Breakfast Burritos
- Vegetarian Chili
- Black Beans and Rice
Storage
Guacamole is best when eaten right away, so I don't recommend making it in advance. If you do have leftovers, take a piece of plastic wrap and press it right onto the surface of the dip, removing any air between the dip and the wrap. When you're ready to eat the leftovers (which are best enjoyed within one to two days), remove the plastic wrap. Then scrape off any dip that has browned, or stir it into the dip underneath.
Related Recipes
Looking for more easy dips? You'll love these recipes, too:
- Avocado Crema
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa
- Spicy Chipotle Hummus
- Mexican Baked Spinach Dip
- Southwest Hummus
- Baked Black Bean Dip
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The ingredients in guacamole can vary, depending on who is making it. However, it typically include some combination of avocado, lime juice, jalapeños (or other spicy peppers), onion, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, and salt.
Guacamole tastes like avocados, but with a brighter, fresher, bolder taste from flavorful ingredients like lime juice, onions, garlic, and cilantro that are used to season it. The dip can also be spicy, if chiles have been included.
Avocados are a fruit. They are used to make guacamole, along with other ingredients like lime juice, jalapeños, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and cilantro.
Guacamole is made with fresh, nutritious ingredients, including avocados, which are a good source of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They are a calorie dense food though, so enjoy this dip in moderation.
Guacamole
Ingredients
- 3 large avocados
- 1 small plum tomato, seeded and diced
- 1 large, juicy lime, juiced
- ¼ small onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Cut avocados in half, then remove pits. Scoop fruit into a mixing bowl.
- Using a fork, mash avocado, making it as smooth or as chunky as you like.
- Add tomato, lime juice, onion, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, and salt to avocados, then stir everything together.
- Taste dip, then add more salt and / or lime juice to taste.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
