My favorite homemade guacamole blends the best tips I’ve picked up over the years from my mom’s guac, authentic guacamole in Mexico, and a happy pantry accident that we’ve repeated ever since. This guacamole recipe yields perfect guac that is:
Not too chunky. Not too smooth. (Same goes for this Loaded Baked Potato Dip.)Properly salted and seasoned (no bland guac for us!).A little savory (thanks to my mom’s secret ingredient).FRESH and vibrant. (Like this Greek Layer Dip.)Tastes like a beach vacation!
It is well documented that Ben can devour an entire bowl of this guacamole in one sitting (ditto for this Mexican Corn Dip). I can’t fault him for the lack of portion control. This simple guacamole recipe is guuuuuuuud.
How to Make The Best Guacamole EVER
You can find as many variations of guacamole as home cooks who prepare them.
Traditional guacamole is made of avocado, salt, lime, onion, and a spicy element, such as jalapeño.Cilantro is also often added (I also like to add cilantro to this 7 Layer Taco Dip).I punctuate my guac with additional ingredients that add freshness, crunch, and punch: tomatoes and garlic, plus plenty of citrus juice and several good dashes of hot sauce to bring it to life.
You can keep this a simple guacamole recipe (it’s delish as is) or try one of the variations I’ve suggested below.
The Ingredients
Avocados. Looks are not everything! For the best guacamole (and Avocado Egg Salad), use Hass avocados, which are dark, brown, and bumpy. They have a superior flavor and creamier texture compared to the sleeker green avocados with bright, shiny skin.
Lime Juice AND Lemon Juice. Surprise! While lime juice only is traditional for guacamole, a combo is even better. I discovered this happy fact one night when we didn’t have enough limes for a full batch of guacamole, so I supplemented with lemon juice. Now, we don’t make it any other way.Kosher Salt. Kosher salt or fine sea salt is the most important thing to add to guacamole to make it taste great. Do not use table salt, which is iodized and has a metallic flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce. Mom’s secret ingredient (and also my secret to this Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip). While not included in authentic guacamole recipes, it adds a subtle savoriness that makes the guac even harder to stop eating than it already is (you’ve been warned).Hot Sauce. My addition to this spicy guacamole recipe to make it the BEST guacamole recipe without jalapeños. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your heat preference. (For another spicy dip, try this Chicken Enchilada Dip.)Tomatoes. Does traditional guacamole have tomatoes? It seems people are divided on whether authentic guacamole has tomatoes in it or not. Personally, I think they’re a delicious addition. They add freshness, texture, acidity, and beautiful red color.Red Onions. Fresh, crisp, and crunchy. I feel red onions are the best for guacamole but white onions are another nice option with a clean onion flavor.Garlic. For that garlicky goodness.
The Directions
How to Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown
Homemade guacamole turns brown because an enzyme in the green avocado flesh reacts with oxygen in the air (this process is called oxidation). Avocados have numerous health benefits, including vitamins, folate, and omega-3s. They are high in fat, so as with most things in life, the key to enjoying guacamole healthfully is portion control. If you will be serving the guacamole with chips, use those chips when taste-testing, especially if the chips are particularly salty. Don’t stress about oversalting. Homemade guacamole needs more than you think.
Crumbled feta cheesePomegranates (great for holidays! Especially combined with the feta.)Toasted pumpkin seeds (a.k.a. pepitas)Bacon (see Baked Bacon and Air Fryer Bacon for easy ways to cook it)Diced cherry tomatoesDiced mango or pineappleGrilled Corn kernelsFresh cilantro or green onions
That’s why avocado flesh doesn’t turn brown until it is peeled and exposed to air. To deter browning, the most important tips are:
Use acid (which in this recipe is the lemon juice and lime juice). Acid is the most important thing you can put in guacamole to keep it from turning brown. It deters oxidation.Keep it air tight. When storing the guacamole, use the smallest container possible and press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface to keep the air away from the guacamole as much as possible.
What to Dip with Guacamole
Tortilla Chips. The classic! Make sure your chips are sturdy enough to stand up to those yummy chunks. I like scoop-style chips.Carrots. To make this an extra healthy guacamole recipe, serve it with fresh carrot sticks or baby carrots. Pita Chips. A similarly crunchy alternative to tortilla chips. Thinly Sliced Red Bell Peppers. Nutritious and delightfully crisp.Thinly Sliced Radishes. Their pungent sharpness contrasts deliciously with the cooling, creamy guacamole.
Ways To Use Homemade Guacamole
On a Sandwich. Take your sandwich game up a notch by spreading guacamole onto a BLT, Chipotle Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers, or Green Chile Grilled Chicken Burgers. On Mexican Food. This guacamole would be tasty on top of a Mushroom Quesadilla or Summer Veggie Burritos. It would be equally delish with Beef Fajitas, Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas, or Taco Salad. Or use this easy guacamole recipe for nachos (Chicken Nachos are the house favorite).On Fish. This Grilled Salmon in Foil and Shrimp Kabobs with Pineapple are begging to be topped with fresh guacamole. On Meat. Elevate your favorite basic protein with homemade guacamole. Grilled Chicken Breast, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, and Baked Chicken Breast are some of my go-to’s. On Eggs. Top plain scrambled eggs with guacamole, or serve it with an Egg White Frittata or Egg Muffins. For Appetizers. Use the guacamole to make my scrumptious Shrimp Guacamole Bites or 7 Layer Taco Dip.
Storage Tips
To Store. Tightly pack leftover guacamole into an airtight storage container, cover with plastic wrap, and seal with the lid. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 days.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Non-Slip Cutting Board. Won’t slip away from you like other cutting boards do.Mixing Bowls. The largest size of this set would be ideal for making guacamole.Citrus Juicer. I won’t juice a lemon or lime without this handy tool.
This homemade guacamole has become a household signature for us (served up with a spicy Jalapeño Margarita.) Honestly, I have tested setting out a bowl of guacamole with and without the pit, and I found zero difference. Both bowls turned brown in about the same amount of time. If you’d like to include the pit for presentation purposes though, feel free.
Crockpot Mexican Chicken
4 hrs 30 mins
Vegan Queso
45 mins
Chicken Nachos
40 mins Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe. Grab a few extra avocados the next time you are at the store and make it a signature dish in your home too. If you’d like to take this guacamole dip to a party, you’re sure to be popular, but be prepared: once your friends try it, they might not let you bring anything else!
Hot Crab Dip
50 mins
Feta Dip
15 mins
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
5 mins