Homemade Guacamole
Published 4/11/2023
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This is hands down the BEST homemade guacamole recipe on the internet and it’s made with juicy avocados, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and salt.
Not only do we love eating homemade guacamole with salty tortilla chips, but it’s a favorite topping, dip, and spread so many of our favorite meals such as chicken burritos, steak fajitas, and rice bowls.
Best Homemade Guacamole
Is there really anything better than eating guacamole with tortilla chips? Just make sure you have one of our homemade frozen margaritas to compliment it.
In 2015, Linley and I went on an incredible avocado tour in Uruapan, Mexico where we learned all about avocados — how to grow them, how they’re processed and shipped all over the world, etc. More importantly, we learned how to use avocados to make guacamole from the true experts – the people of Mexico.
While our recipe is very similar to authentic guacamole, there is one major difference- we use garlic and our friends from Uruapan do not.
I was surprised too…mostly because I add garlic to everything. Nonetheless, this really is the best guacamole recipe and I can’t wait for you to make it.
What You Need for Homemade Guacamole
Avocado: ripe avocados are key to amazing guacamole! Give your avocados a little squeeze, they should be slightly soft, but not too mushy. Have extra avocado? Learn how to freeze avocado HERE.
Cilantro: To love or to hate cilantro? Cilantro is a key flavor in homemade guacamole. Make sure to use freshly chopped cilantro as dried cilantro just isn’t the same.
Garlic: our signature guacamole recipe is made with 3 cloves of garlic. Feel free to use around a tablespoon of pre-minced garlic if you have that instead.
Red onion: I LOVE raw onion and this recipe calls for just a little bit of minced red onion. It goes a long way!
Lime Juice: A little bit of fresh citric acid is really going to make your guacamole shine. Make sure to use the real stuff, from the fruit not the bottle!
Sea salt: getting the salt just right in guacamole is very important. If it’s under-salted, you won’t be able to taste all of the fresh flavors as well and if it’s over-salted, well, no one wants to eat it!
How do you know if your avocados are ripe?
The best way to figure out if your avocados are ripe is actually not by feeling, but by assessing how easily the stem at the top comes off. If you can easily remove it, then you know it’s ripe!
If you want to go by feeling, you can do that too! If it’s rock-hard, it’s definitely not time to make guacamole. If it’s mushy, then it’s too late. But, if it’s slightly soft and still holds its shape, then you know it’s time!
How to Cut an Avocado for Guacamole
Before making a big batch of delicious homemade guac, you have to safely cut into the avocados to cut out the meat. Here is how we cut our avocados for guac:
- Cut the avocado in half lengthwise.
- Twist the avocado apart so that one half has the avocado pit and the other is empty.
- Place a towel in your hand and then hold half of the avocado with the pit in the middle.
- Use a knife and carefully (but firmly) press the knife into the pit of the avocado. Twist the pit and pull.
- The avocado pit should easily come out of the avocado half.
- Discard the avocado pit and use the pitted avocado for guacamole.
How to Make Guacamole
Once all of your ingredients are set out and ready to go all you need is a large bowl and you are ready to make homemade guacamole!
Prep avocados
Slice your avocados in half and use a knife to remove the pit. Then, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Transfer it to a bowl and mash the avocado with a fork.
Add Flavors
Next, add the fresh cilantro, minced garlic, minced red onion, lime juice, jalapeño, and sea salt to the mashed avocado. Mix everything together until combined.
don’t forget to taste test!
Make sure to give your guacamole a taste test because this is where you’ll add more lime juice and/or salt.
Remember, you can’t take away these two ingredients, so it’s best if you under season to begin with!
Guacamole Variations
Spicy: Add minced jalapeño or even a serrano pepper to give your guacamole some kick. We recommend starting slow with a 1/2 medium jalapeño and then adding more from there.
Mango Guacamole: jazz up your savory guacamole with something sweet! Add about 1/2 cup of diced fresh mango to your guacamole for a tropical flare.
Chunky Guacamole: if you’re a lover of all things chunky, try adding some diced tomato to your guacamole and keeping the avocados a bit lumpier for a chunky-style guacamole.
Ways to prevent guacamole from turning brown
There are a variety of different ways you can help prevent your guac from changing brown!
- Place the avocado pit into the guacamole before storing. This actually helps prevent the oxidation process of the guac.
- Squeeze in a little extra lime juice. The citrus will help it from turning brown.
- After placing the guacamole into a glass container, press a piece of plastic wrap into the guac. This will prevent any air from touching the guacamole and help it from turning brown.
Homemade Guacamole FAQ
Guacamole is most commonly eaten with tortilla chips, but is often served with other Mexican-inspired dishes such as burritos, fajitas, and tacos.
Homemade guacamole will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator if stored properly in an air-tight container.
How do you store guacamole?
Transfer guacamole into an airtight container. Then place the pit of an avocado in the center of the guac. Take a piece of plastic wrap and use your hands to press it into the guacamole so that no air gets in between it. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa
- Steak Tacos
- Mexican Beef Skillet
- Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas
- Ground Beef Nachos
- Beef Chili Recipe
Homemade Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large avocados, ripe
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced (~1.5 tablespoons)
- 1/4 medium red onion, finely diced
- 1 medium lime, juiced (or more, to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or more, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
- optional: 1/2 large jalapeno, finely diced
Instructions
- First, remove the pits from your avocados and then scoop out the flesh and transfer it into a medium-size bowl. Use a fork to mash avocado flesh until smooth. Alternatively, you can leave some chunks, if you prefer a more chunky guacamole.
- Next, add in minced garlic, finely diced onion, lime juice, sea salt, and cilantro, and mix until combined.
- Give guacamole a taste test and adjust the salt and lime juice depending on what it needs.
- Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
Tips & Notes
- Storage: We recommend eating guacamole immediately after you make it. However, if you have leftovers, place guacamole into a medium bowl and squeeze on some lime juice. Then, cover it with a piece of plastic wrap and remove as much air as possible. Store in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Nutrition information does not include chips.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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What’s your fav chip for the guac?
Way Better Snacks!!
How long does this stay fresh for? Can you freeze it?
Thank you!
If you put the guac in an air tight container and then place the avocado pit in it…it should stay fresh for a couple of days! I’ve never tried freezing guac, so I’m not sure!
Yum! I love guacamole, especially with my burger. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
GUAC ON BURERS. Genius.
When I lived in Mexico I used to get made fun of for making chunky guac like yours because they think of guacamole as a more liquidy sauce that they can garnish dishes with. I prefer tons and tons of avocado goodness. This looks delish!
DOODE. Did you ever eat their “avocado salsa?” It’s pretty much like thinned out guac, but they claim is different!
Ya that’s what I was thinking of! Just a thin guacamole 😉
DO NOT leave me alone with guacamole. You won’t ever see it again! XD
LOL. WORD.
This is similar to my go-to guac recipe but I like to add fresh tomatoes and cumin! Yummo!!
I can’t wait to read your San Miguel recap. Did you ever end up making it to La Mezcaleria for their Traditional Snack Board and Mezcal?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh GUAC! And no we didn’t 🙁 We passed it though, but didn’t have time to go in! NEXT TIME FOR SURE.
I am making your guacamole tonight! First time ever because we only recently started eating avocados in my family. And I’ll keep the garlic even if the Mexicans don’t approve of! 😉
OMG. You are about to be HOOKED ON AVOCADOS. So excited for you!
YASSSS guac. I just saw Erin’s recipe too and I’ve decided to make both of them because how could I choose?! You’re awesome Lee, thanks for sharing <3
LOL. That is AMAZING! I hope you have a dip partay!
Have you tried adding cumin to your guac. It gives it a great smokey taste.
YES! I have done that before. Sometimes I add jalapenos, too if I’m feelin spicy.
GUACCCC. Is tha best! Thanks for sharing 🙂