Best Guacamole Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

This authentic Guacamole Recipe is loaded with avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, plenty of lime juice, salt, and pepper. Learn how to make the BEST EVER Guacamole with our easy video tutorial.

Guacamole is the perfect appetizer with crunch tortilla chips but it’s also amazing as a topping for Taco Salad, it’s delicious on Tostadas and so good on Chicken Fajitas. It complements so many Mexican recipes.

Best Guacamole Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

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Guacamole Recipe

We take our guacamole very seriously – we make this on our regular rotation (at least once a week) and after making hundreds of batches, it has been perfected over the years. This is the only guacamole recipe you’ll need. It’s creamy, chunky, so fresh, and has just the right amount of lime zing. It’s so satisfying and hard to stop eating it.

Guacamole Video

If you love guacamole recipes, this classic guacamole is the base for so many awesome variations like Corn Guacamole, or even Spicy Guacamole if you want to add some heat. It’s so easy to master guacamole and once you have this basic recipe down, you can experiment with adding your favorite flavors.

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Ingredients

Once you have selected your perfectly ripe avocados, getting the ratio of ingredients is important for the most authentic-tasting guacamole. Here’s what you will need for homemade guacamole:

  • Avocados – avocados are the star of the show so make sure you pick ripe avocados (see our tips for selecting avocados below).
  • Lime Juice – we use 1 Tbsp of FRESH lime juice for every 1 large avocado. The lime juice helps to prevent browning and the right amount will make your guacamole come alive (but not literally, don’t worry).
  • Onion – the flavor profile of white onions is our top choice for authentic-tasting guacamole, but you can substitute whichever onion (yellow, or purple) that you have on hand.
  • Tomato – not everyone adds tomatoes but I love the color and juicy sweetness it adds to guacamole. If your tomato is very juicy when diced, strain off the juices before adding it.
  • Cilantro – I don’t think you can have a proper batch of guacamole without the freshness of cilantro. That said, I also recognize some people are genetically predisposed to not liking cilantro. If that is you, you might try parsley, basil, dill, chives or green onions.
  • Salt and Pepper – Salt enhances the flavor of avocado and tomato and balances the acidity of lime juice, while freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle heat. You can add both to taste.
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How to Select Avocados

When you are buying avocados, consider when you will be making your guacamole and if they need time to ripen. If you want guacamole tonight, select perfectly ripe avocados. If you are shopping ahead, you can get firm avocados and follow our tips below for faster ripening.

  • Select Ripe Avocados – ripe avocados should have stems attached and you should be able to push the sides in slightly with your fingertips.
  • Avoid overripe avocados – overly soft and squishy avocados or avocados with missing stems are more likely to have browned on the inside.
  • To soften hard avocados – place underripe avocados in a paper bag with an apple or banana (which releases ethylene gasses to speed up ripening) and leave at room temperature for 2-3 days.
  • To slow down ripening – if your avocados are getting ripe and you aren’t ready to use them, you can slow down the ripening process by placing whole avocados in the refrigerator.
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How to Make Guacamole

This is the same basic process for making every guacamole recipe and you will have it memorized in no time.

  1. Prep avocados – Start by cutting the avocado in half lengthwise then remove the pit, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Coarsely mash with a potato masher to a chunky consistency.
  2. Add lime juiceSqueeze lime juice directly over the top to prevent browning.
  3. Add remaining ingredients – add diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and onion.
  4. Season – add salt and pepper to taste, and stir just to combine.

Pro Tip: Watch the video tutorial above to see our favorite way to cut, pit and peel avocados.

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Ways to Serve Guacamole

From a stand-alone appetizer to a topping, dip or garnish, there are so many great ways to serve guacamole. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Appetizer – serve with tortilla chips, Pita Chips, or crackers
  • Toast – Spread leftover guacamole on crisp toast for breakfast
  • Salmon – Serve it on Grilled Salmon or Pan-Seared Salmon
  • Burgers – Try guacamole inside juicy Burgers
  • Nachos – Scoop guacamole over servings of Baked Nachos
  • Deviled EggsGuacamole Deviled Eggs are surprisingly delicious

Common Questions

Is Guacamole healthy?

Check out the nutrition label below to see the calories and carbs for guacamole. Avocados are nutrient-rich and contain fiber and good fats. To make it healthier, you can control your portion sizes by eating in moderation. Also, instead of chips for dipping, try whole grain crackers or use fresh veggies like cucumbers.

Can I substitute lime juice?

Lime juice is the traditional choice, but we often substitute lime juice with lemon juice if that is what we have on hand. If substituting, use the same amount of lemon juice. The KEY is to use freshly squeezed juice and never from concentrate or it will taste like boring store-bought guac.

What is the best onion for guacamole?

White onion is the classic choice for guacamole because of its crisp, fresh, and clean flavor profile. You can substitute for yellow onion or red onion like we did with the Corn Guacamole, but white onion is most commonly used in authentic guac.

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We can’t get enough of this homemade guacamole. I’d love to hear about your favorite guacamole ingredients. Is there anything special that you love to add?

Make-Ahead

Guacamole tastes best enjoyed within a day or so of making it, but there is a better way to store leftovers to prevent discoloring:

  • To Refrigerate – you can whip up a batch of guacamole a day ahead. Air is the enemy of avocados and will cause it to brown. You can preserve your guacamole by placing plastic wrap directly over the surface of the guacamole, pushing out all extra air. Even if stored in closed Tupperware, putting plastic wrap directly over the guacamole first will keep it looking green and vibrant.
  • Freezing – we do not recommend freezing since the veggies can get soggy and mealy when thawed.

More Appetizer Recipes

If you are looking for more appetizer ideas for your next party, these are some of our best loved, crowd-pleasing appetizers:

  • Buffalo Wings
  • Spinach and Artichoke Dip
  • Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
  • Pico De Gallo
  • Ceviche
  • Cheeseburger Sliders

Best Guacamole Recipe

4.97 from 64 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Best Guacamole Recipe (VIDEO) (8)

How to make the BEST EVER Guacamole. This authentic guac recipe is loaded with avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, plenty of lime juice, salt and pepper. The only guacamole recipe you’ll need!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 6 people as an appetizer

  • 3 avocados, (large, ripe)
  • 1 tomato, (medium), seeded and diced
  • 1/2 white onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, (1/3 bunch) finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  • Cut 3 avocados in half lengthwise, remove pits, scrape the flesh of the avocado out with a spoon. Place in a medium bowl with a flat bottom and mash avocados with a potato masher to a chunky consistency.

  • Squeeze 3 Tbsp of fresh lime juice directly over avocados while prepping the rest of your ingredients.

  • Add diced tomatoes, onion, and chopped cilantro. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir just until combined and serve.

Nutrition Per Serving

171kcal Calories11g Carbs2g Protein15g Fat2g Saturated Fat203mg Sodium565mg Potassium7g Fiber2g Sugar407IU Vitamin A16mg Vitamin C16mg Calcium1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Best Guacamole Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

171

% Daily Value*

Fat

15

g

23

%

Saturated Fat

2

g

13

%

Sodium

203

mg

9

%

Carbohydrates

11

g

4

%

Fiber

7

g

29

%

Sugar

2

g

2

%

Protein

2

g

4

%

Vitamin A

407

IU

8

%

Vitamin C

16

mg

19

%

Calcium

16

mg

2

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: guacamole, guacamole recipe

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 171

Natasha Kravchuk

Best Guacamole Recipe (VIDEO) (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Best Guacamole Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

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 is the difference between Mexican guacamole and American guacamole? ›

Generally speaking, the guacamole in Mexico is going to taste a bit fresher. The avocados, cilantro, and even the chiles used in the Mexican version are likely to be significantly fresher than those in the U.S. version.

How far ahead can you make guacamole before it turns brown? ›

Topping off your avocado dip with water keeps air, at least in part, from being able to penetrate the guacamole, which keeps it from browning. By using this simple technique, you can keep the brown at bay for about two days (maybe longer if you're lucky).

Why does chipotle guacamole not turn brown? ›

To keep the leftover guacamole from browning, the employee rips off a sheet of plastic wrap, then presses it all the way down to the surface of the guacamole, knocking out the air that would be in the container if it was just sealed with a lid.

Why you should leave the lime out of guacamole? ›

You see, lime is a very strong acidic flavor and it can easily overpower the delicate flavor of the avocado. Instead, finely dice red onions and pickle them with lime juice for 15-30 minutes.

Is red or yellow onion better 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.

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.

Should you add tomatoes to guacamole? ›

Tomatoes – Roma tomatoes are the BEST for homemade guacamole. Make sure to remove all the seeds first. You can also chop up cherry/grape tomatoes. Jalapeño – If you don't like spice at all, you can leave it out!

When should you not eat guacamole? ›

Although brown guacamole isn't the most appealing, it's completely safe to eat (as long as you've stored the guacamole in the refrigerator, and it isn't more than three days old). "While a bit off-putting to look at, brown guacamole is totally safe," confirms Food Network's nutritionist, Dana Angelo White, MS RD ATC.

What to use instead of lime in guacamole? ›

The obvious choice if you're out of limes is lemons. Lemons have a similar, but distinct flavor from limes and make an ideal substitute.

What do Mexicans eat guacamole with? ›

This treat is usually served with chips at local Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants, such as Moe's or Chipotle, but is also a popular ingredient on tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. Lucky for you—guacamole is easy to make and can also be enjoyed at home. What is Guacamole?

Does Taco Bell use real guacamole? ›

It's like the linguistic equivalent to a block party in your mouth every time you say it. Your tongue is basically high-fiving your teeth every time you say it. Add the fact that our guacamole is made with real Haas avocados and you've got a taste-bud symphony going on here.

Does authentic guacamole contain garlic? ›

Turns out, authentic guacamole doesn't have garlic. This is when Mark educated me on what goes into a proper guacamole (you should memorize this): avocados, lemon juice, red onion, a tomato, salt, pepper and two ingredients The Barefoot Contessa doesn't have in her recipe but which Mark considers essential....

How does commercial guacamole stay green? ›

But as every guac fan knows, the stuff has a tendency to look nasty in a hurry, a problem only compounded when the product is made in advance. Fortunately for Wholly, the brand had already pioneered a high-pressure process that removes all the air from the container, so the batch doesn't oxidize and turn brown.

How do restaurants keep guac green? ›

Pat the guacamole down to give it a flat surface. Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a barrier with the air. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap, so it is flush with the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or put the guacamole in a sealed tub.

How do restaurants keep avocados from turning brown? ›

The main goal is to prevent oxygen from touching the avocado's flesh. Plastic wrap is a practical, albeit not foolproof way to slow down the natural course of fruit aging. The trick is to make sure the plastic wrap is sealed flush with the flesh.

Does putting an avocado pit in guacamole keep it from turning brown? ›

Many aficionados promote a time-tested approach to this problem: adding the whole avocado pit to the guacamole to help stanch the browning. Science actually supports this method, but not for the reasons you might expect.

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