Easy Guacamole Recipe

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Everyone needs an authentic guacamole recipe with ripe avocados, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime. Here's how to make guacamole in 10 minutes.

What is guacamole

Guacamole is a mashed avocado dip and spread, often made with cilantro, lime, onions, and jalapeño peppers that add layers of texture and Mexican flavor. You can make guacamole with tomatoes or simply leave them out.

Why you'll love this recipe

• This simple guacamole recipe comes together in 10 minutes and can be enjoyed immediately.
• This crowd-favorite goes with everything. In fact, a bowl of tortilla chips and guac is guaranteed to disappear – regardless of the food theme.
• This homemade recipe includes tips and tricks to make the best guacamole dip, including how to keep it from turning brown.

Ingredient notes

• avocados - Perfectly ripe avocados are essential to a guacamole recipe. See the below section: How To Select Ripe Avocados.
• tomatoes - Use any variety. I recommend removing excess moisture and seeds.
• red onion - An essential ingredient for flavor and texture.
• cilantro - This fresh herb is a must! It adds a traditional flavor and feel to this dip.
• Jalapeño pepper - The heat or spice in these peppers can vary, so always test the heat level before using.
• fresh lime - Keep it fresh. It won't be authentic guacamole to use packaged lime juice.
• ground cumin - This is optional, but adds a savory depth of flavor to this Mexican dip.
• sea salt - This is another essential ingredient, but should be added in small amounts when adjusting the flavor.

How to make this recipe

This classic guacamole recipe promises to be easy. Enjoy these step-by-step photos or skip down to the printable recipe below.

Step 1. Cut each avocado in half, remove the pit, and use a spoon to scoop it away from the skin into a mixing bowl.

Step 2. Use a vegetable masher or other tool to gently mash the avocados so the final texture is the perfect blend of creamy and chunky.

Step 3. To this, add tomatoes, onion, cilantro, Jalapeño pepper, fresh lime, ground cumin, and salt. Gently fold these ingredients together until well-combined, but with minimal effort to prevent over-mixing.

Step 4. Add more salt to taste, if needed. Garnish with lime wedges and serve with a bowl of chips and devour!

Recipe tips

• Avoid buying overripe avocados, if possible, because they may be bruised under the skin. This results in an unpleasant, browned color and flavor, which isn't optimal for guacamole.
• When you make guacamole with tomatoes, it's important to remove excess moisture from the tomatoes to prevent the dip from becoming too thin.
• When making guacamole ahead, you'll want to prevent air exposure. Place guacamole in an airtight container, pour a thin layer of water or lime juice over the surface, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Drain and serve.

Recipe variations

• Fresh garlic will give this guac recipe even more flavor. Just peel and mince a few cloves and add with the other ingredients.
• Add sour cream or Greek yogurt to homemade guacamole to increase the volume and richness. This is a great money-saving tip since avocados are expensive.
• Substitute the tomatoes in this recipe with a 10-ounce can of diced tomatoes. Simply open the can, drain, and mix it into the guacamole. It's so easy!

Serving ideas

These are my favorite ways to use guacamole beyond chips and guac.

• Serve with fresh vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, snap peas, and radishes.
• Pair guac with refried black beans or totchos and you practically have a meal.
• Use it to make everyone's favorite 7 layer dip, especially on game day!
• Serve as a condiment for this scrumptious taco bowl, my super comfy, one-pot Mexican pasta, and everyone's favorite flank steak fajitas!

More party appetizers we love

• Easy Pico de Gallo
• Easy Crab Dip
• Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball
• Honey Hot Wings
• Jalapeño Popper Dip
• Mexican Salsa
• Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip

📖 Recipe