Authentic Guacamole Recipe (2024)

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The BEST creamy Authentic Guacamole made with perfectly ripe, rich and buttery avocados and a zesty blend of herbs and spices, and no unnecessary fillers. This will be your new favorite recipe to make with EVERYTHING.

Authentic Guacamole Recipe (1)

Authentic Guacamole

Guacamole! One of my all-time favorite snacks!

I mean, who can resist creamy, fresh, and a little bit spicy authentic guacamole with a handful of warm tortilla chips?!

This perfect guac is made ripe avocados, garlic, jalapenos, red onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and lime juice.

Truth be told, authentic guacamole doesn't actually need tomatoes, but it is sometimes added to stretch a batch. I've kept them in this recipe because I like their brightness and acidity. So skip the tomatoes if you want or leave them in if you like them! It's good either way.

This recipe also calls for crushed garlic instead of minced because the crushed mixes in perfectly smooth so you don't end up with a mouthful of garlic pieces. It's super easy, and you don't need any special equipment. Just a fork and some salt. The full instructions are down in the recipe.

And DO. NOT. Skip. The lime juice. Fresh lime juice takes it from basic to amazing.

How to Choose the Best Avocados

The best guacamole is made from perfectly ripe avocados.

Look for avocados that are ripe and soft, but not firm. Gently press on one end. It should be firm, but have a slight give to it.

Unripe avocados will be hard and often green.

Also, grab avocados that still have the stem attached, the little button at the top. If the stem has been removed in the store, it’s more likely to have brown spots on the inside.

Authentic Guacamole Recipe (2)

Is There a Way to Keep Guacamole from Browning?

Avocados turn brown with exposure to air, so the trick to keep guacamole green is to keep the air away from it.

Here are a few tricks you can use:

  1. Place the avocado pits in with the guacamole when you store it. There's really no proof that this works, and maybe it doesn't help, but I always do it anyway because it certainly doesn't hurt!
  2. Cover with plastic wrap. Place the plastic wrap directly on the guacamole so that it's exposed to very little air.
  3. Cover with water. Instead of plastic wrap, cover with about a half inch of water. Avocado is dense so it won't absorb the water. When ready to use, pour the water off the top and give it quick stir.

Can You Freeze Guacamole?

Believe it or not, you can!

Avocados and guacamole both freeze surprising well.

To freeze, place in a freezer bag. Vacuum seal or squeeze out all of the air bubbles. Then place in the freezer, and freeze for up to 3 months.

To use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer to a bowl, and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

To thaw faster, place frozen guacamole in a bowl of cool water for 30-40 minutes, until soft. Don't let it come all the way to room temperature. Then transfer to a bowl, give it a quick mash and stir, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and you're ready to eat.

How to Serve Authentic Guacamole

Guacamole is traditionally served with tortilla chips, like these delicious homemade ones.

You can also serve it with veggies, such as radishes, carrots, bell pepper strips, or cucumber slices for a lower carb option. Cheese whisps or pork rinds are also great low carb ideas.

Authentic guacamole also makes a great topping for Mexican classics like tacos or burritos, or even on top of burrito bowls, salads, or burgers.

More Mexican Inspired Recipes You'll Love

  • Restaurant Style Salsa - super easy salsa in the blender that you'll want to make again and again!
  • Homemade Tortilla Chips - just like your fave Mexican joint. Expertly fried and perfectly salted.
  • Refried Black Beans - best refried beans ever. They're so creamy and rich, you'd never guess that they're also vegan.
  • Easy Skirt Steak Fajitas - soaked in a lime-based marinade and then perfectly charred in a skillet or the grill with onions and peppers.
  • Chipotle Barbacoa - simple ingredients in a set-it-and-forget-it recipe with SO MUCH flavor.
  • Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice - the perfect accompaniment to all your Mexican dishes.

Authentic Guacamole Recipe (3)

Authentic Guacamole

The BEST creamy Authentic Guacamole made with perfectly ripe, rich and buttery avocados and a zesty blend of herbs and spices, and no unnecessary fillers. This will be your new favorite recipe to make with EVERYTHING.

5 from 16 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Dip

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Authentic Guacamole, Guacamole

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 64kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe avocados
  • 1 garlic clove crushed
  • cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1 medium Roma tomato finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and finely chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or more to taste

Instructions

  • Cut avocados in half length-wise. Remove the pit, and scrape out the meat into a medium mixing bowl. Mash with a fork or potato masher.

  • To crush the garlic, coarsely chop the clove. Salt generously and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. Mash with a fork or the side of a knife until it's a paste-like consistency. Add to the mashed avocado.

  • Add the remaining ingredients to a bowl and stir until everything is incorporated.

Notes

  • Use fresh limes! The juice from fresh limes truly makes this recipe amazing!
  • Serve with tortilla chips or veggies, if you want a lower carb option.
  • Storage: Place in a bowl with avocado pits. Cover with plastic wrap so that there's no air pockets or bubbles. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
  • Freezer Directions: Transfer to a freezer bag. Remove all air bubbles and pockets, and freeze flat for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, for about 24 hours. To thaw more quickly, place in a bowl of cool water until soft. Don't let it come all the way to room temperature. It should still be cool.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.3g | Protein: 0.9g | Fat: 5.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.7g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 4.1mg | Potassium: 199.4mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 5.94mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 0.07mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in October 2014. It was updated with new helpful tips, pictures, and a video in June 2020.

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Authentic Guacamole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional guacamole made of? ›

Here's all you need for traditional guacamole: ripe avocados, coriander/cilantro, red onions, jalapeño or Serrano chilli, lime and salt. Avoid unnecessary fillers such as sour cream and cream cheese. They only dilute flavour. Popular optional extras include: garlic, tomato, cumin powder.

Do Mexicans put tomatoes in guacamole? ›

Authentic Mexican Holy Guacamole is a healthy Chipotle-style guacamoles appetizer, snack, or topping made with avocado, tomatoes, and cilantro. While most of us know that guacamoles are deliciously creamy and green, that's where our understanding of the appetizer, snack, and topping stops.

What's the difference between American and Mexican guacamole? ›

Initially, guacamole's ingredients included avocados, tomatoes, and chilis, but the Spaniards put their fingerprint on the recipe, adding onions, cilantro, and lime juice. All the extra stuff we tend to add to our guacamole is really a nod to our Spanish friends.

What do restaurants put in guacamole to keep it from turning brown? ›

Guacamole enthusiasts have devised all kinds of tips and tricks for how to keep avocados from turning brown and many have trickled down to guacamole storage: Leaving the pit in, pressing plastic wrap onto the surface, and adding citrus juice are popular options, but there are plenty of eclectic anti-browning methods ...

Does authentic guacamole contain garlic? ›

FYI: Authentic Guacamole consists of four ingredients and one is still optional: Avocado, finely diced sweet or red onion, salt and if you wish, lime. That is it. And absolutely never, ever, garlic!

Why you should leave the lime out of guacamole? ›

You see, lime is a very strong acidic flavor and it can easily overpower the delicate flavor of the avocado.

Which onion is best for guacamole? ›

Most people prefer to use sweet white onion in their guacamole recipe. Red or yellow onion tends to give the guacamole too strong of a garlic flavor.

Does cumin go in guacamole? ›

Scoop half of the avocados into a large bowl and coarsely mash them with a fork. Stir in the lemon juice, cilantro, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and ground cumin. Scoop chunks of the remaining avocados into the bowl; stir lightly with a spoon. Season the guacamole with salt and serve at room temperature or lightly chilled.

Is guacamole better with or without tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes don't add anything in terms of flavor. Tomatoes release a lot of water which is something you want to avoid when it comes to guacamole. Having a side of fresh pico de Gallo and guacamole is best! No need to combine them.

What do Mexicans eat guacamole with? ›

This treat is usually served with chips at local Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants, such as Moe's or Chipotle, but is also a popular ingredient on tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas, and more.

What is restaurant guacamole made of? ›

Learn how to make restaurant style guacamole from scratch with fresh ingredients including avocado, lime juice, onion, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeños, salt and pepper. There's nothing like the fresh taste of authentic guacamole.

Does Taco Bell use real guacamole? ›

Yeaaaaah, you feel that rush? It's like the linguistic equivalent to a block party in your mouth every time you say it. Your tongue is basically high-fiving your teeth every time you say it. Add the fact that our guacamole is made with real Haas avocados and you've got a taste-bud symphony going on here.

Is guacamole just smashed avocado? ›

Guacamole is traditionally made by mashing peeled, ripe avocados and salt with a molcajete y tejolote (mortar and pestle). Recipes often call for lime juice, cilantro, onions, and jalapeños. Some non-traditional recipes may call for sour cream, tomatoes, basil, or peas.

What is guacamole in Mexican culture? ›

Guacamole History: A Mexican Food? The history of this tasty treat dates back to the Aztec Empire in Central America during the 1500s. Avocados were a favorite fruit in the area, and the Aztecs loved their “ahuaca-mulli” or avocado-mixture.

Why is restaurant guacamole so green? ›

DOES LEMON JUICE KEEP GUACAMOLE FROM TURNING BROWN? Yes! The lemon forms a barrier between the outside air and the guacamole to make sure the dip stays its greenest.

What are the ingredients in store bought guacamole? ›

WHOLLY® GUACAMOLE Chunky Guacamole Bowl Chunky

Hass Avocados, Tomatoes, Onions, Cilantro, Contains 2% Or Less Of Lime Juice, Garlic, Salt, Serrano Peppers.

What is commercial guacamole made of? ›

Well, it doesn't in the original and best form of the dip as served in Mexico. The “avocado sauce”, for that is what the name means, has avocado, cilantro (aka coriander), onion, jalapeño pepper, lime, salt and tomato. That's it. No cream, milk, wheat, additives or preservatives are needed.

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