Ditch store-bought and make this super simple guacamole recipe in minutes! This avocado dip is fresh, loaded with flavour and as creamy or as chunky as you want it to be. Makes for a delicious game day snack for dunking those chips!
This simple guacamole recipe was originally posted in November 2015, but has been updated with new recipe pictures and details.
Many years ago before hubby and I were married, he decided to make us some guacamole for a Saturday night snack.
It was my first time having and I definitely wasn’t a fan. I know. Crazy, isn’t it?! To think about that now, I can’t believe it!
It was years later that my love for avocados and guacamole bloomed. Strange thing. If you keep trying a food you’re not fond of, eventually you do (well, that was certainly the case with me).
These days I absolutely love guacamole and avocados, in general. We always have avocados in the fridge. Always. They are a staple in our home, right alongside milk, eggs and cheese.
I was like that with cilantro too. It tasted soapy to me. Now, I have no problem with it whatsoever and love it on so many things.
We’ve all seen those pre-made containers of guacamole in the grocery store and some of them are pretty good and, yes, I have even bought. There is no need, though.
This recipe literally takes minutes to make and when you prepare it at home you know exactly what’s in there and can adjust to your tastes.
And for the record …
Now I enjoy guacamole on the regular, especially with chickpea tacos!
What Is Guacamole?
Guacamole is an avocado-based dip originating from Mexico. Side note: did ya know that avocado is a fruit?
Ingredients for guacamole are:
- Avocado
- Lime juice
- Salt
- Cumin
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cilantro
- Cayenne pepper, hot sauce and/or jalapeno
- Diced tomato
How To Make Guacamole
Full details on how to make this simple guacamole recipe are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
Place peeled avocado (with pit removed, of course) in a bowl and gently mash with a potato masher (such a handy tool).
The, add fresh lime juice, olive oil, seasonings, onion, garlic, jalapeno, tomato and cilantro. Stir everything until combined.
Tip: Be a tad gentle with the tomatoes, you don’t want to mush those too much.
Enjoy with your fave chips!
So simple, right?
Chunky Versus Smooth
Chunky guacamole versus smooth guacamole, that’s more of a personal preference!
You can mash super smooth to have a creamy guacamole or leave some bits for a chunky version (just mash a little less). You do what you enjoy best!
How Long It Lasts
Like with most things, guacamole is best enjoyed when it’s freshly made. Usually when we make at home, it doesn’t last past day one because it’s so dang tasty.
However, if you can’t finish it all in one sitting, this dip will last about 1 to 2 days in the fridge (store in an airtight container).
How To Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown
There are a bunch of ways that will help keep guacamole from turning brown like:
- Lime Juice: Squeeze a generous layer of lime juice over top of the guacamole.
- Food Plastic Wrap: Press food plastic wrap right over and into the dip (so there’s less oxidation).
- Water: Cover leftovers with a small layer of water. Drain when ready to enjoy.
- Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: A total cheat (but works) is to stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt into the guacamole (the acidity helps prolong the green colour). Guacamole with sour cream also works too!
- Avocado Pit: I’ve heard placing the avocado pit in the centre of the guacamole helps it stay greener longer, but I haven’t personally tried that one out. You?
Mix Things Up
To try a different flavour profile with guacamole add-ins.
For chipotle guacamole, mix in some chipotle chili flakes or finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (to taste). It adds a lovely smoky heat and flavour.
If you are opting for a chipotle guacamole, you may want to skip the fresh hot pepper.
Tips for Making Guacamole
- Pick a ripe avocado. This is a simple way to tell if an avocado is ripe.
- Make it close to when you are about to enjoy for best freshness. Because guacamole only takes minutes to whip up, that shouldn’t be a problem.
- Don’t skip the lime juice! It helps prolong the green colour. Plus, it adds a lovely brightness to the dip. Don’t have lime on hand? Use lemon.
- Don’t have a fresh hot pepper in your fridge? Try a dash or two of your favourite hot sauce.
- For the onion component, use what you have on hand: white or red onion or shallot.
- If you like more of an ingredient (like cilantro or onion, for example), use more. Like a little less, use less. Like mentioned, this simple guacamole recipe can easily be adjusted.
- If you like things less spicy, remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno.
Ways To Enjoy
- Chips. Always a classic, right?
- Use as a spread on a sandwich or wrap instead of mayo.
- Have on toast (hello famous avocado toast). Try with an egg on top. It’s delicious!
- Enjoy with scrambled eggs.
- Nachos is never a bad idea.
- Making things more substantial, this simple guacamole recipe would be so good spooned over pork carnitas , shrimp tacos or enjoyed with cheesy beef quesadillas.
More Easy Dips
This dip is pretty simple but really tasty. Sometimes simple really is best.
If you make this easy guacamole recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Simple Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 avocados, halved, pitted and peeled
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice, from about 1 to 1.5 limes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons minced yellow, white or red onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, minced (remove seeds and ribs if you want)
- ½ roma tomato, seeds removed and tomato chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, or to taste
Instructions
- Add avocados to a bowl. Gently mash with a potato masher. Make as creamy or as chunky as you like.
- Squeeze in lime juice and pour in olive oil.
- To avocado mixture, add salt, black pepper, cumin, onion, garlic, jalapeno, tomato and cilantro. Gently stir to combine.
- Transfer guacamole to a serving bowl and garnish with reserved cilantro. Serve immediately with your favourite chips!Note: Enjoy immediately or properly store in an airtight container in your refrigerator and enjoy within 1 to 2 days.
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Marie
Maybe guac is an acquired taste. My kids have gone from not so sure about it to love it. I love it too, especially homemade!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Same here! So yummy!
David @ Spiced
I totally know what you mean about guac. I didn’t like it growing up, but now I love it! True story: a couple of weeks ago, I was craving guac like it was nobody’s business. I broke down and grabbed a container from the store. It was ok, but it just made me crave homemade guac even more. So I went back, grabbed a couple avocados and made it happen! I’ll have to try your version. I always add a jalapeno to mine, too! I also like adding a bit of smoked paprika. It adds another layer of fun flavors in there. 🙂 Thanks for sharing (re-sharing) this one…it’s perfect for summer!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Haha! I was the same way Dawn! Must be something with our taste buds maturing 😉 Now I could eat guacamole for every meal of the day! This one looks delicious. Would love some piled on tacos right now!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right?! Thanks Leanne…tacos right now would be SO good!
Milena
I can sure eat my fill of this guac! Freshly made like you describe cannot be matched. Thinking of bacon chips perhaps…Lol. And a Margarita or a Mexican lager to pair with. Pinned!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yum! Now you’re talking 😉 Thanks Milena!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
We enjoy guacamole on the regular here, too and I love trying different recipes, so I can’t wait to try yours 🙂 It looks simply perfect!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Thanks Jennifer 🙂
Marissa
Your guacamole looks simple and perfect, Dawn. I don’t even need chips, just hand me a spoon! 😉 So interesting that you used to not like avocados – I wonder if it was a texture thing. And you are the first person that I’ve heard of who has been able to get past cilantro tasting like soap. So cool! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Haha…I like the way you think 😉 Thanks Marissa! Have a great week!!
Mimi
There’s nothing much better than chips with salsa and guacamole. And beer. I pretty much make mine the same way, but sometimes instead of tomatoes I use my favorite salsa, drained (Walt Garrison) and I also love Penzey’s lemon pepper.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I agree! That’s a lovely idea! Happy weekend to ya 🙂
Kevin
This guac looks absolutely perfect. couldn’t buy anything that good in any store! Avos are such heart healthy fruits, so eat up! Those jalapenos definitely add the perfect kick too!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Kevin! Love a little heat 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Love avocados and guacamole and yours looks terrific. I don’t buy store bought unless I’m planning on serving it with a meal and when I go to the store the avocados are rock hard.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Karen 🙂 That’s smart thinkin’!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
I definitely wasn’t a guac lover at first, either! Now I couldn’t imagine my tacos or chips without it!! I love how simple and delicious this recipe is! We just got a mortar and pestle so I definitely will be trying it in that! So much goodness. I’ll have to make my husband chop the jalapeno though..it always makes my skin burn! LOL! Ugh, sensitive skin is the worst! Thanks for the awesome recipe, Dawn 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I know, right?! Hope you love it, Haylie! Happy Friday 🙂
[email protected]
That was my same experience! It took me some time to get on the guacamole bandwagon! But now I love it!! This recipe looks amazing! I need to pick me up so avocados!! Have a great weekend, my friend! XOXO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woot woot! Thanks Annie! You too 🙂 XOXO
Kelly | Foodtasia
Dawn, this guac looks amazing! I think I have always loved it from the time I first tasted it. I especially love it with tomatoes in it!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Tomatoes really are yummy in it, are’t they? Thanks Kelly 🙂
Shashi at SavorySpin
I lurrrve me some gauc – the spicier the better -and yours looks and sounds droolicious, Dawn! But, I’m not sure what’s going on with my buds (tastebuds that is) but I have been on and off with avocados. In guacamole, I love avocados – but on their own, these days, I’d rather leave them than take them… I hope I get back on the avo train soon as my mornings eggs are getting lonely! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too, girlfriend…me too! Oh no…hopefully, that’s only short term! Happy weekend to ya 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
OMG I can’t believe there was a time in your life when you didn’t love guac. I can’t believe anyone wouldn’t love guac! I’d gladly eat this with a spoon for dinner (and breakfast and lunch too) :). And now I’m hungry. . .
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I know, right?! Me too, Kelsie 😉 Thanks so much!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Thank goodness our tastes have changed over the years! I used to be the pickiest eater, but now I like most things. I absolutely love guacamole! It’s perfect with so many different dishes.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right?! Thanks Kathy!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Dawn! I used to not like avocados either, or guacamole. Crazy how things change, hey!? I LOVE it now. Especially on tacos! I will have to try your recipe out my friend, it looks crazy good!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I know, right?! Thanks so much 🙂
Valentina
Dawn, that’s a very good looking guacamole! Game day or not, I’m totally in. With a big ol’ handful of crispy, salted chips! I love all of the added flavors, and looks like yours is my favorite consistency — mashed, but a bit chunky. Perfect.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Thanks Valentina! Hope your week is going great 🙂
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
I eat an avocado every other day because they are so healthy and yummy too)! Guacamole is the best and I could eat it on everything. We make it almost every weekend to eat during the football games so I’m making your version next weekend 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Love it too! Could eat avocado every single day now! I think my absolute favourite thing to do with it is the simplest – on toast with chili flakes. Hope you like my version!! Thanks Karrie 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
There was a time (a loooove time ago) when I didn’t like guacamole either! So I don’t think you are crazy! 😉 loving this guac, girl! The addition of chipotle is stellar! Hand me a spoon and watch out! Cheers!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Should be *Loooong. I hate auto correct! 😉
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Cheyanne! Funny thing, isn’t it? Now I’m all about that guac, lol :)!!