Whenever there are chips & guac, you might also want a batch of Easy Mexican Restaurant-Style Salsa and a pitcher of Virgin Piña Coladas and Horchata to go with it! You know the old, “if you were stranded on a desert island, what five foods would you bring to eat” hypothetical? This homemade guacamole makes the cut. I used to be all about the ease and convenience of premade guac which I would buy in bulk from Costco because seriously, we eat guacamole like you cannot even imagine over here. When our youngest, Rose, was a toddler, guacamole was practically a food group for her. But once I learned how to make guacamole this way my world changed forever. When it comes to wanting the best guacamole EVER and I’m craving some serious Mexican food, there is just no substitute for this easy guacamole recipe that is better than any version I’ve had anywhere, thanks to fresh ingredients and one simple technique. Get ready to take good guacamole to the next level of great guacamole!
Why this Homemade Guac Works
We’re talking 10 minutes total from start to finish to whip up a batch of guacamole dip! Simple ingredients and fresh flavors from cilantro, garlic, lime, and jalapeño take this easy homemade guacamole recipe to the next level. Crushing the cilantro, garlic, onion, and jalapeño with a molcate (mortar & pestle) or just the back of a spoon against the side of the bowl releases oils & juices to permeate the guacamole with the most amazing flavor.
Fresh Guacamole Recipe Ingredients
Fresh avocados: You can check to see if your avocados are ripe by gently pressing the outside of the avocados. If they feel hard, the avocados are not ripe yet and won’t have good flavor. If the avocados give just a little with a gentle squeeze but aren’t squishy, then they are ripe and should be just right for making guacamole. Once they are ripe, you can stick them in the fridge for a few days to slow down the ripening process so they don’t go bad as quickly. Cumin: This is my secret ingredient for a smoky intensity to the guac that might be hard to identify but really boosts the flavor quotient. You’ll see it used a lot in Mexican cuisine. Jalapeño: I list this as optional because some people are afraid of spicy guacamole, but I always use it when I have a jalapeño on hand. As long as you remove the seeds and stems from the jalapeño, it doesn’t actually make this homemade guacamole spicy at all. Fresh cilantro Fresh lime juice Kosher salt & black pepper Tomatoes: I like adding a little bit of chopped roma tomato to my guacamole, but you can omit this if you prefer. Or if you love tomatoes, add some halved grape tomatoes for even more tomato flavor. Chopped onion: I like using a white onion best but a red onion works well too.
How to make the Best Guacamole Recipe
- Then add the avocados, lime juice, and season with a little salt and a pinch of cumin. You can mash the avocados as much or as little as you like, but I prefer moderately chunky guacamole that isn’t too smooth.
- Stir in the chopped tomato last, then be sure to taste and adjust the salt and lime juice as needed. The lime juice not only adds wonderful flavor to the guacamole, but it helps keep it from turning brown too quickly.
- That’s all there is to it! It takes all of 5 minutes to make the best homemade guacamole ever for parties with tortilla or plantain chips, in burritos, on fajitas or chimichangas (or whatever else your heart longs to top with guacamole)!
How to store the Best Homemade Guacamole
Guacamole is notorious for turning brown when not stored properly! You can pour a thin layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a protective barrier and keep the air out. You can also cover the dish with a layer of plastic wrap and seal it tight against the guacamole by pushing it down and preventing any air pockets. It shouldn’t be kept at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Otherwise, store it in the fridge.
How long does guacamole last?
Guacamole will last three to four days when stored properly in the fridge. Although this simple guacamole recipe is so good, it won’t last more than a day 😉
Can you freeze guacamole?
Yes! Freezing is your best way for keeping your guacamole around longer. You can pack it into a zip-top bag and squeeze all the excess air out. Or pack it into a container and make sure to press plastic wrap on top to eliminate any air bubbles. It can last in the freezer for up to four months. Sliced avocados can also be frozen to use later for guacamole!
Best Homemade Guacamole Serving Suggestions
We love guacamole in our house and we don’t just eat it with a big bowl of tortilla chips! It is amazing on burritos, enchiladas, and nachos but it is so fun to put on burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, deviled eggs, dip your french fries in it, chicken melts, turkey club sandwich, even pizza! Try making toast with cottage cheese and guacamole. Dip your veggies in it, put it on some pita bread, layer it on a baked potato or sweet potato! Add to your salad! The sky’s the limit for this delectable topping.
Best Guacamole Recipe Tips
You can buy hard avocados if that’s all the store has and then wait a few days until they ripen on your counter until you get the perfect avocado before making the guacamole. If there is a lot of give (or worse, they feel mushy) when you gently squeeze the avocados, then they will be beyond ripe and not good. Even with these tips, guacamole will still start to turn brown on top after just a couple of days. You can scrape the brown part off and just eat the fresh, green guacamole underneath, but even then a batch of homemade guacamole doesn’t keep for more than 3 days in the fridge in my experience. Guacamole goes on almost everything, but especially your favorite Mexican foods like fajitas, chimichangas, and carne asada. But I also love this homemade guacamole on burgers or on top of eggs for breakfast.
More Mexican Food Recipes
Homemade Mexican Rice Mexican Shredded Beef Cafe Rio Black Beans Pico de Gallo Easy Mexican Restaurant-Style Salsa
This post was originally published in May, 2019. The photos and content were updated in January, 2022.
Horchata Mexican Drink Recipe
7 Layer Dip
Chicken Flautas Recipe
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