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

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.
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.
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!
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.
- Place guacamole in an airtight container.
- 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.
- Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours, or more at your discretion.
- 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
Easy Guacamole Recipe
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
Traci's Recipe Notes
- Place guacamole in an airtight container.
- 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.
- Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours, or more at your discretion.
- To serve, drain water from the dip, stir, and enjoy.
Equipment
- spoon to scoop avocado
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Lima Ekram says
Very tasty recipe - had some avocados on hand and thought I would give it a try! Delicious!
Traci says
I'm so glad you went for it 🙂 Thanks so much for letting me know! Cheers!
Ned says
Oh this is happening for the big game! Thank you so much!
Traci says
Yes! Many times over 🙂 Enjoy!!
Sharon says
This easy guacamole is a great dip to whip up for snacks. It's also great on sandwiches too!
Traci says
Yes! Love it for both too 🙂 Thanks so much!
Gina Abernathy says
Love, love, love avocados! Guacamole is one of my favorite dips. Delish!
Traci says
Yes! Right there with you 🙂 I could eat it every day lol. Thanks!
Kate says
I don't normally add tomatoes to guac but I loved they way it tasted with them! Very good!
Traci says
Yes! Guacamole with tomatoes is definitely a vibe 🙂 I love it with or without lol. So glad you enjoyed 🙂 Thanks!
JB says
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 🙂
Traci says
Yay! I'm glad you're loving it 🙂 Thanks for the comment!!