This straightforward guacamole recipe has been a staple recipe in my house forever! In fact, anytime I have any mature avocados, it’s just a given that it becomes guacamole. Over years of preparing guacamole, I’ve perfected the ratio of all the ingredients so it comes out perfect every time!
Ingredients To Make Guacamole
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Avocados: Use ripe avocados for this recipe so that they are simpler to mash and have the best flavor. When you squeeze the avocado gingerly it should give a little.
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Red onions: Red onion has a milder flavor when compared to white onions and you can easily consume them raw, Finely dice the onion so that it doesn’t overpower the guac.
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Cilantro: Chopped cilantro lends a wonderful freshness to the dip. If you don’t like the taste of cilantro, you can substitute it with parsley so that you still get that new flavor.
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Jalapeño: Jalapeños are very mild peppers and the guacamole balances out the heat so this is not spicy at all particularly when seeded. If you are very sensitive to heat you can omit this, but I urge you to attempt it!
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Lime juice: Always use fresh lime juice, it is so much more flavorful than bottled. The acid from the lime cuts through the creamy avocado and lends a delightful zing.
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Salt: Salt helps to bring all the flavors in this condiment alive. Taste the guacamole before serving and adjust as required. You can also add black pepper, but I typically don’t.
How To Make Simple Guacamole
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Cut the avocados in half and remove the interior using a spoon. Be sure to check out my post on how to cut an avocado to help you cut it safely and limit any waste.
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In a medium basin, mash the avocado halves with a fork or potato masher until it’s as smooth or as chunky as you like it. It like a little somewhere in between.
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Add the the red onions, cilantro, jalapeño peppers, garlic, lime juice and salt on top.
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Stir together with a spoon, being cautious not to over-stir. Then taste and adjust to your preference as necessary. This is essential for making sure the salt and lime juice work for the size of avocados you’re using.
Tips For Making The Best Guacamole
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Use mature avocados. When you squeeze them they should give a little, this makes them much simpler to mash and the flavor will be best this way.
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Don’t use a food processor to prepare the guacamole. It will transform it into a puree and you’ll have extra clean up to do! If the avocados are ripe, all you need is a fork or potato masher to get the task done.
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Don’t omit the lime. Guac requires acid to help cut through the fatty avocado; plus it helps to slow down the browning of the guacamole. Always use fresh lime juice, not the bottled product.
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flavor the guacamole before serving and add salt and lime juice to suit your flavor. Good guacamole has a generous helping of salt to enhance all of the flavors.
Guacamole Add-in Ideas
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Chopped tomatoes: This is a very popular and common add in for guacamole which I often use. You can use red or green tomatoes, but make sure to remove the seeds and cut finely.
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Ground cumin or other seasoning: Cumin elevates the flavor to another level. You can also add dried versions of ingredients already used in the recipe to emphasize those flavors like garlic powder, onion powder or coriander.
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More heat: You can use chili peppers or serano peppers, or you can even stir in some spicy sauce.
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Sour cream or Greek yogurt: This makes the guacamole more creamy and adds a touch of protein to it as well. It can also be a great method to mellow out the recipe if it comes out too spicy.
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Grilled corn or other grilled vegetables: The smokey and sweet flavor of grilled corn with guacamole, or even grilled bell peppers, is an excellent way to complement the spread!
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Chopped fruit: Think of using pineapples or mangos to add a tropical flavor to the the guacamole that makes it really stand out. It’s also just really beautiful!
