This classic guacamole recipe has tons of fresh flavor and optional spice. Scroll down for tips on how to pick the best avocado, quickly ripen it, and make the best guacamole!
If you like this appetizer, try my White Queso Dip or Texas Margarita! They're great for parties or just unwinding with friends.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Avocados: I have a guide below on how to pick the perfect avocado.
- Jalapeño Pepper: Make sure to remove the seeds unless you want a really spicy guacamole.
- Red Onion: I like the pop of color red onions provide. Yellow onions or sweet onions would also work in this guacamole recipe.
- Lime Juice: If you don't have fresh lime juice on hand, you can also use lemon juice; it adds a slightly different tang to the dip.
- Fresh Cilantro: Adds a pop of fresh herbiness, but feel free to skip if you're not a fan.
- Salt: Brings out the flavors of each ingredient.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Adds a little extra spice for those who like it just a little spicy.
Find the complete ingredient list with exact quantities in the recipe card below.
How To Pick Perfectly Ripe Avocados
- Color: Look for avocados with dark green or almost black skin.
- Firmness: Gently squeeze the avocado. If it gives slightly, it's ripe. Too firm means it's not ready, and too soft might be overripe.
- Stem Check: Pop off the small stem. If it comes off easily and is green underneath, it's good to go! If it's brown underneath, it may be overripe.
How to Quickly Ripen Your Avocado
Avocados ripen after being picked, so if yours are still hard, toss them in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple. The gas from the other fruit will speed up the ripening process. This usually takes about a day or two.
How To Cut an Avocado
- Wash your avocado.
- Cut it in half by making a vertical cut all around the avocado.
- Twist the halves to separate them.
- Remove the pit by chopping into it with a knife and twisting gently.
- Scoop out the avocado with a spoon.
If you're still unsure, here's a video tutorial.
How to Make Guacamole
- Cut each avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop the avocado into a large bowl, then use a fork to mash it until it's mostly smooth, leaving a few small chunks for texture.
- Add finely chopped red onion, jalapeño (seeds removed if you prefer milder spice), cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper flakes.
- Mix everything and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more lime juice for brightness, salt for depth, or a little extra red pepper flakes for more spice.
- Transfer to a serving dish and serve guacamole and chips immediately for the best flavor and color.
How To Store
Scoop your guacamole into a storage container. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole before storing it in the fridge. The lime juice helps slow oxidation, but squeezing out as much air as possible keeps it looking vibrant longer.
If your guacamole does turn a bit brown on top, don't worry-it's still safe to eat! Scoop off the browned layer and you will have bright green guacamole underneath.
Variations
- Simple Guacamole: Mix together one smashed avocado, a pinch of salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Easy Guacamole: Combine ⅓ cup of salsa with three smashed avocados for a quick, flavor-packed twist. This is my favorite way to make guacamole when I feel lazy.
What to eat with Guacamole
Guacamole pairs well with:
Common Questions
Make it at most 24 hours ahead of time. Make and store your guacamole in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to reduce air exposure and slow browning. If the top layer turns a little brown, scoop it off.
Add a pinch of salt, it will make the biggest difference. If it's still bland, add a squeeze of lime juice or a pinch of garlic powder, or hot sauce.
Guacamole that has browned on top is still safe to eat. Scoop off the browned layer, and eat the guacamole underneath. It will still be green and fresh.
Overripe avocados work as long as they aren't stringy or sour. Remove any dark spots before mashing the avocado.
Underripe avocados can be used, but you will need to put in extra work to mash them, and you may need to add extra lime juice and salt.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Easy Guacamole
Ingredients
- 3 avocados
- ⅓ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 jalapeño deseeded and finely diced
- ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
- 2-3 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Cut each avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop the avocado into a large mixing bowl, then use a fork to mash it until it's mostly smooth, leaving a few small chunks for texture.
- Add finely diced red onions, jalapeño (seeds removed if you prefer milder spice), cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper flakes.
- Mix everything and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more lime juice for brightness, salt for depth, or a little extra red pepper flakes for more spice.
- Transfer to a serving dish and serve guacamole and chips immediately for the best flavor and color.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!