If there’s one dish that never fails to lift a party—and honestly, even a lazy afternoon at home—it’s Guacamole. Silky avocados tossed with zesty lime, a punch of onion, juicy tomato, fiery jalapeño, and fragrant cilantro create the perfect scoopable dip. Whether you’re settling in to watch a movie, inviting friends over for tacos, or just want a vibrant snack, this classic Guacamole is a celebration of fresh flavors that only takes minutes to pull together. Once you try it, you’ll want to make this your go-to recipe for every gathering!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Guacamole is simplicity at its finest, relying on a handful of fresh, wholesome ingredients each contributing a special note—creaminess, crunch, heat, or brightness. Here’s what you’ll need for a beautifully balanced dip that lets every element shine.
- Avocados: Perfectly ripe avocados are the heart and soul of Guacamole; they should yield slightly to gentle pressure, giving you that dreamy, creamy consistency.
- Red Onion: Finely chopped for just the right amount of bite and a lovely pop of color through the dip.
- Garlic: A little goes a long way—minced garlic adds a subtle spark that takes the flavor up a notch.
- Tomato: Diced, with seeds removed, for juicy sweetness and extra freshness in every bite.
- Jalapeño (optional): Want a little heat? Finely chopped jalapeño gives a pleasant kick; feel free to skip for milder tastes.
- Cilantro: Chopped cilantro brings a burst of herbaceousness that makes Guacamole unmistakably bold and lively.
- Lime Juice: Essential for that signature tang and to keep the avocados vibrant green.
- Salt: Just enough to make all the flavors pop—don’t skimp!
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: A generous grind adds subtle warmth and depth to the dip.
How to Make Guacamole
Step 1: Mash the Avocados
Start by adding your peeled and pitted avocados to a medium bowl. Using a fork, gently mash them to your desired consistency. Some people love a chunkier Guacamole for texture, while others prefer it silky smooth—there’s no wrong way, so follow your cravings here!
Step 2: Add the Mix-Ins
Next, toss in the finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, diced tomato, and jalapeño if you like a little fire in your Guacamole. This is where the flavors really start to build, and every ingredient brings its own character to the party.
Step 3: Season and Brighten
Sprinkle in the chopped cilantro, squeeze over the fresh lime juice, then add the salt and several cracks of black pepper. Stir everything together gently, folding to combine the flavors without over-mixing—you want little flecks of every ingredient visible for that classic, rustic appeal.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
Give your Guacamole a taste and tweak as needed—maybe a little extra lime for zing or a pinch more salt to round out the flavors. The best Guacamole is one that suits your palate, so trust your taste buds here!
Step 5: Serve or Store
Enjoy your Guacamole fresh for the brightest flavor, or if you’re preparing in advance, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before refrigerating. This helps keep the gorgeous green color intact so it’s just as appetizing when you’re ready to dig in.
How to Serve Guacamole
Garnishes
For a picture-perfect bowl, sprinkle a few cilantro leaves on top or add a scatter of finely diced tomato or red onion. A lime wedge on the side not only looks great but lets everyone amp up the citrusy brightness as they wish.
Side Dishes
Guacamole is a star alongside warm tortilla chips, but why stop there? Pair it with tacos, grilled veggies, fajitas, or even spoon it over eggs for a breakfast upgrade. It also makes an irresistible companion to quesadillas and nachos.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond a simple bowl! Spoon Guacamole into tiny jars or cups for individual portions at parties, fill avocado shells for a fun, no-waste presentation, or swirl it onto tostadas and top with crumbled cheese. Mini bell peppers make crunchy, colorful “boats” for scooping, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Guacamole, transfer it to an airtight container and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing. This helps slow down browning and keeps the flavors fresh for up to one day.
Freezing
While Guacamole can technically be frozen, the texture may change upon thawing and become a bit watery. If you do freeze it, omit any tomato and onion for best results, then stir them in fresh when ready to serve.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat Guacamole, but if it’s been refrigerated, simply let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor and consistency. Give it a gentle stir to reincorporate any separated liquids.
FAQs
Can I make Guacamole ahead of time?
Absolutely—you can prepare Guacamole a few hours ahead! To keep it green and fresh, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before chilling, and wait to add the tomatoes until just before serving if possible.
How do I prevent my Guacamole from turning brown?
The trick is to limit exposure to air. Besides lime juice acting as a natural preservative, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the Guacamole surface makes a huge difference in keeping that vibrant color locked in.
Is Guacamole spicy?
It’s entirely up to you! Traditional Guacamole often includes a little jalapeño for heat, but you can skip it for a milder dip or use other chilies for a different twist.
What if my avocados aren’t ripe yet?
If your avocados need a little extra time, place them in a paper bag with a banana or apple and leave it at room temperature overnight. The ethylene gas helps speed up ripening so you can enjoy Guacamole sooner.
Can I double this Guacamole recipe for a party?
Of course! Just multiply the ingredients as needed, and use a large mixing bowl. Guacamole is always the first thing to disappear at a gathering, so making extra is never a bad idea.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like the fresh, bold flavors of homemade Guacamole—it’s a crowd-pleaser, an instant mood-booster, and absolutely worth every minute (all ten of them!) it takes to prepare. Give this Guacamole recipe a try and watch it become your new snack-time hero. Happy dipping!
Print
Guacamole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This classic guacamole recipe is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties or simply as a tasty snack. Creamy avocados mixed with zesty lime juice and flavorful seasonings create a delicious dip that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients
Avocado Mixture:
- 3 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium tomato, diced and seeds removed
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (optional for heat)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mash Avocados: In a medium bowl, mash the avocados with a fork until smooth or slightly chunky.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the red onion, garlic, tomato, jalapeño, and cilantro. Squeeze in lime juice and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
- Stir: Gently stir everything together until well combined.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 day.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, omit the jalapeño.
- To prevent browning, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before refrigerating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
