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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

by Traci · Published: 01/13/2023 · Updated: 01/13/2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Easy Guacamole Recipe

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5 from 7 votes
10 minutes

Everyone loves this fresh guacamole recipe with ripe avocados, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime. Here's how to make guacamole the easy way.

tortilla chip is dunked into bowl of guacamole
Table of Contents hide
1) What is guacamole
2) Why you'll love this guacamole recipe
3) Ingredient notes
4) How to make guacamole
5) How to select ripe avocados
6) How to keep guacamole from turning brown
7) What to eat with guacamole
8) Other ways to use guacamole
9) Guacamole recipe tips and variations
10) More party appetizers we love
11) Easy Guacamole Recipe

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 guacamole 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.
guacamole ingredients in glass bowls labeled with text overlay

How to make guacamole

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.

avocado halves are removed from the skin with a spoon
pitted avocado halves in glass 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.

vegetable masher is mashing avocado in glass mixing bowl
vegetable masher is mashing avocado in glass mixing bowl

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.

guacamole ingredients in glass mixing bowl
wooden utensil stirs guacamole in glass mixing bowl

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

guacamole and lime wedges in black bowl next to tortilla chips

How to select ripe avocados

Since texture is the make or break of the best guacamole, avocado ripeness matters – possibly even more than the brand.

So, when possible, I like to buy very firm, unripened avocados 2 or 3 days ahead of serving and allow them to ripen at room temperature. This also increases the likelihood that they're not bruised.

If you're making guac right away, select avocados with dark green skin and a texture that has a little give when you press into it. Avoid texture that is too firm because it's not ripe and overly soft texture that's it's too ripe.

How to keep guacamole from turning brown

Lemon or lime juice can help prevent browning, but using too much can overpower the flavor. If you need to make-ahead, or if you have unexpected leftovers, here's a flavor-neutral way to prevent browning.

  1. Place guacamole in an airtight container.
  2. Add a layer of plain water – enough to cover the dip's surface by ¼ inch minimum. You can use lemon or lime juice for this, if you like.
  3. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours, or more at your discretion.
  4. To serve, drain water from the dip, stir, and enjoy.

What to eat with guacamole

If you're looking for an alternative to tortilla chips, here are a few ideas of what to dip in guacamole.

  • Fresh vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, snap peas, and radishes.
  • Starchy things: corn chips, crackers, pretzels

Other ways to use guacamole

It's hard to beat a classic like chips and guacamole, but pair it with refried black beans or totchos and you practically have a meal. This gorgeous, green guac is an essential component in everyone's favorite 7 layer dip, especially on game day! Creamy guacamole also makes a great topping for entrees like this scrumptious taco bowl or my super comfy, one-pot taco pasta.

Guacamole recipe tips and variations

Avoid using overripe avocados because they might be bruised under the skin and the texture can be mushy, which isn't optimal.

When you make you guacamole with tomatoes, don't skip the step of removing the juice from tomato varieties with excess moisture. This prevents the dip from becoming watery.

The sooner you serve homemade guac, the brighter green and fresher it will be. But, if you can't serve it right away, there is hope for preventing oxidation. Check out my section above: How to keep guacamole from turning brown.

If you want to add fresh garlic to this guac recipe, just peel and mince a few medium-sized cloves and add with the other ingredients.

Since avocados can be pricey, adding sour cream or Greek yogurt to guacamole adds volume (and even more flavor) without adding more avocados. This is a great dollar-stretching strategy for your game day crowd.

More party appetizers we love

  • Homemade Pico de Gallo
  • Easy Crab Dip
  • Honey Hot Wings
  • Jalapeno Popper Dip
  • Mexican Salsa
  • Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip
guacamole and lime wedges in black bowl next to tortilla chips

Easy Guacamole Recipe

Everyone loves this fresh guacamole recipe with ripe avocados, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime. Here's how to make guacamole in 10 minutes.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 3 cups
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

INGREDIENTS
 

  • 4 Avocados (ripe), halved and pitted
  • 1 Roma Tomato, diced and drained (about ⅓ cup)
  • ¼ cup Red Onion, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Cilantro, chopped (about ⅛ ounce)
  • 1 Jalapeño or Serrano Pepper, seeded and minced
  • 1 Lime, zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • ⅛ teaspoon Sea Salt, or more as needed

Instructions
 

  • Use a spoon to scoop AVOCADO out of the skin and into mixing bowl. Discard skins.
  • Gently mash AVOCADO into a mixture that's chunky and creamy.
  • Add TOMATO, ONION, CILANTRO, JALAPENO, LIME JUICE, CUMIN, and SALT.
  • Gently fold ingredients together to combine.
  • Serve and devour!

RECIPE VIDEO

Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

Traci's Recipe Notes

How to keep guacamole from turning brown
  1. Place guacamole in an airtight container.
  2. Add a layer of plain water – enough to cover the dip's surface by ¼ inch minimum. You can use lemon or lime juice for this, if you like.
  3. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours, or more at your discretion.
  4. To serve, drain water from the dip, stir, and enjoy.

Equipment

  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • spoon to scoop avocado
  • mixing bowls
  • potato masher
  • citrus squeezer

NUTRITION

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 447kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 1410mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 639IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

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Comments

  1. Lima Ekram says

    January 13, 2023 at 8:57 pm

    5 stars
    Very tasty recipe - had some avocados on hand and thought I would give it a try! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 13, 2023 at 9:33 pm

      I'm so glad you went for it 🙂 Thanks so much for letting me know! Cheers!

  2. Ned says

    January 13, 2023 at 6:57 pm

    5 stars
    Oh this is happening for the big game! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 13, 2023 at 9:33 pm

      Yes! Many times over 🙂 Enjoy!!

  3. Sharon says

    January 13, 2023 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    This easy guacamole is a great dip to whip up for snacks. It's also great on sandwiches too!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 13, 2023 at 9:32 pm

      Yes! Love it for both too 🙂 Thanks so much!

  4. Gina Abernathy says

    January 13, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    5 stars
    Love, love, love avocados! Guacamole is one of my favorite dips. Delish!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 13, 2023 at 9:32 pm

      Yes! Right there with you 🙂 I could eat it every day lol. Thanks!

  5. Kate says

    January 13, 2023 at 1:54 pm

    5 stars
    I don't normally add tomatoes to guac but I loved they way it tasted with them! Very good!

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 13, 2023 at 9:31 pm

      Yes! Guacamole with tomatoes is definitely a vibe 🙂 I love it with or without lol. So glad you enjoyed 🙂 Thanks!

  6. JB says

    January 13, 2023 at 12:47 pm

    5 stars
    I can't stop eating this gaucamole and the title is so fitting. This recipe really is super easy! Thanks for always steering me right, KG 🙂

    Reply
    • Traci says

      January 13, 2023 at 9:30 pm

      Yay! I'm glad you're loving it 🙂 Thanks for the comment!!

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