The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (2024)

Created: Updated: by Lyuba Brooke 37 Comments *This post may contain affiliate links. Read More...

Jump to Recipe

The most amazing Guacamole you will ever try. This guacamole recipe features fresh avocados mashed and loaded with tomatoes, red onions, lime juice, and jalapenos. It’s also flavored with fresh herbs and spices, which takes this recipe to a new level of delicious.

Classic guacamole is a great compliment to Huevos Rancheros for breakfast and shrimp tostadas or shrimp tacos for lunch.

The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (1)

Table of Contents

As much as I love getting creative and sharing original and unique recipes, I also love to make classics. Guacamole is one of my favorite classic dips. It’s ready in about five minutes, it’s healthy and so delicious!

Why is is healthy? I’m sure by now we all know avocados as the “healthy fat” because it might be high is fat but it is healthy fat. It’s also packed with about 20 different vitamins and minerals including Vitamins K, C, B, and E, potassium, folate, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, and so much more. All together, there are a lot of health benefits to eating avocados.

My favorite way to include avocados in my diet is this dip. I’ve played around with this recipe for years and this one is a winner by far. The key ingredients that make this recipe amazing are fresh cilantro, lime juice, and cumin. All add so much flavor to the dip.

I know many people like to have their guacamole plain, simply avocado, and some lime juice. But it’s just so much better with a pop of flavor from red onion, tomatoes, jalapeno, spices, and herbs. Mashed avocado is just a mashed avocado without all the extra veggies, herbs, and spices in it. So don’t be afraid to add more flavor.

Ingredient Notes:

The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (2)

Avocado – Select ripe avocados. You’re looking fordarker green color with some wrinkles but not deep wrinkles. A ripe avocado also yields when you gently press it. If it yields too easily, the avocado is over-ripe.

Tomatoes – choose tomatoes on a vine, they have the best aroma and the freshest taste. Make sure tomatoes are not too soft or it will be hard to dice.

Red Onion – red onions have a great hint of sweetness and a little crunch.

Jalapenos – you can adjust heat level with jalapenos. If you want spicier result, use jalapenos that have some veins in the skin and add the seeds. Choose smooth, firm jalapenos for less heat and discard the seeds.

Lime juicefresh lime juice makes guacamole what it is. Choose ripe, fresh lime and you will get more juice out of it.

Chili powder, cumin, salt – this is where my recipe beats out the competition, the seasoning. Choose chipotle chili powder for extra smokey flavor. Adding cumin with chili powder brings out a lot of flavors in guacamole.

What To Remember When Selecting Avocados: Select ripe avocados. You’re looking fordarker green color with some wrinkles but not deep wrinkles. A ripe avocado also yields when you gently press it. If it yields too easily (feels soft), the avocado is over-ripe. If it doesn’t yield at all (feels hard) it is not ripe yet.

See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.

Instructions:

The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (3)

How To Cut Avocado:

Cut avocados in half. To take out the pit, use a little bit of force to hit the avocado pit with a knife (1) and then gently twist and pull it out (2). Use a large spoon to get in between the avocado pulp and the skin (3) and scoop out avocado pulp out of each avocado half (4). Scrape out the inside of the leftover skin if needed. Discard the skin and pits.

Prepare Guacamole:

Step 1: Place the avocado pulp into a mixing bowl and mash it with a fork or a potato masher. Make sure the avocados are ripe or it won’t mash well.

Step 2: Seed and mince jalapeno. (TIP: if you want spicy avocado, you can leave some seeds in.) Mince red onion and dice tomato and add veggies to avocado. Squeeze in lime juice and add remaining ingredients to the bowl, mix well. Taste to see if you need more salt.

The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (4)

How To Store Leftover Guacamole

Lime juice and air-tight covering will help keep your guacamole fresh longer.Based on personal experience, I recommend storing guacamole in a glass bowl or glass food storage container.

Transfer the leftover dip into a glass container and squeeze some lime juice over the top. Try to get the lime juice evenly all over the top and cover it flush with a sheet of plastic wrap. Plastic wrap should be touching the top of guacamole to create a barrier between the dip and the air.

Store the leftover guacamole in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

PRO TIP: Fresh lime juice and air-tight covering will help keep your guacamole fresh longer.

The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (5)

Recipe FAQs

How Healthy Is Guacamole?

Avocados are a pretty healthy fruit and is considered a “healthy fat” that you DO need in your diet. It’s also packed with about 20 different vitamins and minerals including Vitamins K, C, B, and E, potassium, folate, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, and so much more.

All together, there are a lot of health benefits to eating avocados, which is the main ingredients in guacamole. (WebMd)

How To Pick Ripe Avocados?

When selecting ripe avocados, first you are looking fordarker green color with some wrinkles but not deep wrinkles. So don’t pick lighter green avocados or ones with deep wrinkles. Also, try to get avocados that have the little stem still attached.

Second step is to pick it up and give it a gentle squeeze. A ripe avocado yields when you gently press it. If it yields too easily, the avocado is over-ripe. If it doesn’t yield at all, it is unripe.

Can I make Guacamole Ahead of Time?

No, guacamole is not something you make ahead of time! While you can store leftover guacamole, it will not be as good as fresh. It also does not have a long shelf life.

Avocado is also prone to oxidation soon after being open, so you have to put it some effort to minimize it. And even then, some oxidation will still occur.

The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (6)

More Appetizer Recipes To Try

Enchilada Verde Dip

Strawberry Salsa

Salsa Verde

Queso Blanco with Chorizo

White Queso Dip

If you’ve made my guacamole recipe and found a lot of good information here, PLEASE leave a 🌟star rating!Let me know how you liked it by leaving the 📝commentbelow as well. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter!

The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (7)

Guacamole Recipe

This guacamole recipe features fresh avocados mashed and loaded with tomatoes, red onions, and jalapenos, lime juice, and spices.

4.86 from 21 votes

Print PinSave Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 (Makes about 2 cups)

Calories: 336kcal

Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 4 ripe avocados
  • 1 medium tomato seeds removed
  • 1/2 medium red onion
  • 1 lg jalapeno
  • Juice from 1 lime
  • 1 Tbsp fresh minced cilantro
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder more if you want extra kick
  • Salt

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

How To Cut Avocado:

  • Cut avocados in half. To take out the pit, use a little bit of force to hit the avocado pit with a knifeand then gently twist and pull it out.

  • Use a large spoon to get in between the avocado pulp and the skinand scoop out avocado pulp out of each avocado half. Scrape out the inside of the leftover skin if needed. Discard the skin and pits.

Make Guacamole:

  • Place the avocado pulp into a mixing bowl and mash it with a fork or a potato masher. Make sure the avocados are ripe or it won’t mash well.

  • Seed and mince jalapeno. Mince red onion and dice tomato. Add veggies to avocado.

    (Note: for spicy avocado, keep the jalapeno seeds, that's where most of the spiciness comes from.)

  • Squeeze in lime juice and add remaining ingredients to the bowl, mix well. Taste to see if you need more salt.

  • Transfer into a bowl and serve with tortilla chips of your favorite veggies.

Video

Notes

  • Picking Avocados: When selecting ripe avocados, first you are looking fordarker green colorwithsome wrinklesbutnotdeep wrinkles. So don’t pick lighter green avocados or ones with deep wrinkles. Also, try to get avocados that have thelittle stem still attached.
    Next, pick it up and give it a gentle squeeze. A ripe avocado yields when you gently press it. If it yields too easily, the avocado is over-ripe. If it doesn’t yield at all, it is unripe.
  • Saving Leftovers: Transfer the leftover dip into a glass container and give it another squeeze of lime juiceover the top. Try to get the lime juice evenly all over the top andcover it flushwith a sheet of plastic wrap. Plastic wrap should be touching the top of guacamole to create a barrier between the dip and the air.
  • Store the leftover guacamole in therefrigeratorforup to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 1076mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 690IU | Vitamin C: 29.5mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.6mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles on August 13, 2014.

The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (8)

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

  • The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (9)
  • The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (10)
  • The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (11)
  • The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (12)
The BEST Guacamole Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (2024)

FAQs

What kind of onion is best for guacamole? ›

Most people prefer to use sweet white onion in their guacamole recipe. Red or yellow onion tends to give the guacamole too strong of a garlic flavor.

What makes guacamole taste better? ›

Fresh lime juice and zest – They make the guacamole zesty and bright. Jalapeño – For heat. Feel free to omit it if you're sensitive to spice. A serrano pepper would work here too!

What kind of avocado is best for guacamole? ›

Buy small, rough-skinned Hass avocados. Their rich flavor and buttery texture are essential for guacamole. Large, bright-green avocados are fine for salads but aren't rich enough for guacamole.

Why you should leave the lime out of guacamole? ›

Lime is an integral part of great guacamole—or so we thought. Turns out, you get to taste and enjoy the pure flavor of avocado better in guacamole without the lime.

Should guacamole have tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes are great — but not in guac.

They don't add anything other than filler. When you eat guac, what you want is creamy avocado, fresh lime, savory onion, salt, and maybe a little cilantro, if that's your thing. I'm never putting tomatoes in my guacamole and neither should you.

How can I improve my guacamole? ›

Season to Taste.

Next, add lime juice. Often an additional pop of citrus is all guac needs to come alive and taste better. If you still aren't happy with the taste, you can rely on mix-ins to jazz it up. Try adding cilantro, salsa, a diced jalapeno or serrano pepper, feta cheese, or a few dashes of hot sauce.

What makes guacamole bitter? ›

5- Adding too much of lemon juice

Preparing guacamole without mistakes also lies in the amount of lemon that is added. The lemon juice is used to give it a sour touch, and prevent it from oxidizing. However, adding too much will bitter the flavor of your guacamole.

Why do you put milk in guacamole? ›

Add milk or cream to make your guacamole denser. Place slices or cubes of fresh cheese on top of your guac. Add chopped mint to make your guacamole even fresher. Mango cubes add an unexpected touch and also keep your guac from turning brown.

What is the most perfect avocado? ›

Hass avocados are widely-regarded as the best. Any avocado that resembles a Hass will rarely disappoint, even if it's an alternate variety. I try to buy fuerte avocados when Hass aren't available. Reed avocados are also excellent, but they have a short growing season.

What is the tastiest avocado? ›

Reed avocados are known for their exceptional taste and are often considered a gourmet variety. Fuerte: With its smooth, green skin and pear-like shape, Fuerte avocados have a creamy texture and a delicate, nutty flavor.

How do you make an avocado taste good? ›

The simplest way to enjoy avocados is by sprinkling them with a pinch of salt and pepper. You can also try other seasonings like paprika, cayenne pepper, balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice.

Can you put too much lemon in guacamole? ›

Adding too much lemon or lime juice can cause a very watery guacamole. That's because salt and citrus juice work in conjunction -- they draw out extra moisture from the avocado.

How do restaurants keep guacamole green? ›

Top with lime juice and plastic wrap

Avocados and most other fruits and veggies contain an enzyme (polyphenol oxidase) that reacts with the oxygen in the air and turns the flesh a dull shade of drab, known as oxidation. Limes are very acidic and contain loads of ascorbic acid, aka, vitamin C, which combats the enzyme.

Is it OK to use lemon instead of lime in guacamole? ›

I like the flavor better with lemon juice, but lime works too. If you're out of fresh lemons or limes, try using bottled lime or lemon juice. Although, freshly squeezed juice is definitely the best! Salt: Salt enhances the flavors and brings it all together.

What onions do Mexican restaurants use? ›

White Onions

If you love Mexican food, this is your go-to onion. With a bite that doesn't linger for too long, they add an onion-y brightness without overpowering other flavors. White onions are delicious when used raw—especially in salsa, salads, or sprinkled on tacos as a garnish.

Does guacamole contain onion? ›

Authentic guacamole doesn't contain fillers and unnecessary ingredients. All you need is avocados, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, garlic, and salt.

What kind of onion should I use? ›

And while we prefer yellow for cooking, white for garnishing, and red for pickling, grilling, and everything in between, they're generally interchangeable: Switching between them won't ruin a dish, even if it slightly alters its flavor or appearance.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5584

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.