Experience the vibrant flavors of fresh avocados in this simple yet delicious Easy Guacamole Recipe. With just a few ingredients and a little bit of mashing, you'll have a perfect dip or topping in just 10 minutes! It's simple, fresh, and guaranteed to elevate your next snack session or mealtime spread.
There's something magical about combining fresh cilantro, creamy avocados, roasted garlic, shallots, juicy tomatoes, and zesty lime juice. It's perfect for topping fajitas, nachos, or a flavorful Southwest salad. However you enjoy it, taking a moment to make it fresh is always worth it. Homemade guacamole beats store-bought any day (except maybe Chica de Gallo—seriously good stuff, and no, this isn't a paid ad!).
This Easy Guacamole Recipe Is:
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- Low Carb
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- Gluten Free
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- Paleo
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- Vegetarian
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- Vegan
Table of Contents
5 Reasons to Love This Recipe
Let me share with you 5 reasons why you'll instantly fall for this simple guacamole recipe:
- Amazingly simple recipe.
- Proven to work every time.
- Great to make for parties.
- Delicious with any Mexican dinner.
- Everyone loves it.
Is Guacamole Low Carb?
Yes, guacamole is low-carb, which makes it perfect for those who follow low-carb and keto diet. This guacamole recipe boasts a low carb count of only 12 g of net for the entire yield—that's less than 2.5 g per serving of this delightful dip.
For a detailed breakdown of Carbs In Guacamole, check out the article where you can find all you want to know about guacamole and either it is a perfect low carb food item or not.
Easy Guacamole Ingredient List
You'll need the following ingredients to make authentic guacamole recipe:
- 2 ripe avocados, cut in half lengthwise and the pit removed
- 2-3 cloves roasted garlic
- ½ lime, juiced
- ½ shallot, minced fine
- ½ cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne, to taste
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, to taste
Note: if the lime is not juicy, add the juice from the whole lime. You need approximately 2-3 tablespoons of lime juice.
Ingredient Substitutions
Don't worry if you're missing a few ingredients for this quick guacamole recipe—there are some handy alternatives!
- Lime: Substitute fresh lime juice with lemon, though the flavor will differ slightly. Avoid bottled lime juice unless it's refrigerated in the grocery store to minimize acidity.
- Roasted garlic: For a similar flavor, use ½ cloves of fresh, minced garlic or ⅛ to ¼ teaspoons of granulated garlic.
- Shallot: You can substitute thinly sliced red or white onion. Soak the onion slices in water for 10 minutes to mellow the sharpness.
- Cilantro: If cilantro isn't your thing, try using fresh flat-leaf parsley instead.
- Cayenne: You can omit cayenne altogether or substitute with red pepper flakes if you prefer some heat.
- Kosher Salt: Sea salt will work just as well as a substitute for kosher salt in this recipe. Adjust the amount to taste.
Additional Ingredients
Enhance your guacamole with these simple ingredients that complement the main flavors:
- Peppers: Add ¼ of a chopped red pepper or jalapeno pepper for extra flavor and texture. For an authentic Mexican food experience, add some extra heat by dicing some fresh jalapeno or poblano peppers and mixing them in.
- Spices: Elevate your guacamole with a touch of granulated onion, cumin, or smoked paprika. Customize the flavors to create your own unique blend!
- Green Onions: Chives and green onions are fantastic additions to this recipe, offering a fresh flavor.
- Cheese: Sprinkle crumbled feta or cotija cheese on top, or mix the cheese directly into the dip for a flavorful guacamole.
Note: Additional ingredients are for enhancing the flavor only; they are not part of the original recipe.
Cooking Tools Required
You'll need the following tools to make this simple guacamole recipe:
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Bowl
- Fork
How to Make Guacamole: Complete Cooking Guide
Cooking Method
- No-cook recipe
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the ingredients and tools required for this recipe.
- Wash the avocadoes.
- Roast the garlic cloves, mince the shallots, and squeeze the lemon juice.
- Chop the tomatoes and cilantro.
- Scoop out the avocado with a spoon and add to a bowl. Mash with a fork.
- Add in the roasted garlic, lime juice, minced shallot, chopped tomatoes, chopped cilantro, cayenne, salt, and fresh cracked pepper to the mashed avocado. Mix well.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Taste again to ensure the flavor is right.
Step 1: Halve and peel the avocados, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Mash the avocados using a potato masher.
Step 3: Add lime juice to the mashed avocados.
Step 4: Add roasted garlic to the mixture.
Step 5: Add the remaining ingredients.
Step 6: Mix well, taste, and adjust seasoning as necessary.
💡 My Pro Tip
Avocado Tips: Some methods suggest using heat to ripen avocados quickly, but I don't recommend this as it can make the avocado taste bitter and unpleasantly slimy. Similarly, frozen avocado packs can also develop a slimy texture due to the additives used for freezing.
To select a fresh avocado, look for one with dark brown skin that is firm and glossy, not wrinkled or dull. To check for ripeness, gently remove the stem and inspect the color of the flesh—if it's bright green, your avocado is likely ripe and ready to enjoy. Store your avocados in the vegetable drawer at home to extend their shelf life.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Keep roasted garlic on hand by roasting a large batch and storing it in the fridge for quick use.
- Pre-chop ingredients like shallots, tomatoes, and cilantro in advance and store them separately until ready to mix with the avocados.
- Make guacamole ahead of time and prevent browning by pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface.
What to Eat With Guacamole?
Have you ever tried guacamole with tortilla chips? Trust me, it is the best combo! But if you're planning a complete meal, the options are endless! Here are some delicious pairings to complement this homemade guacamole recipe:
- Low-Carb Chicken Fajitas: Guacamole adds a creamy and flavorful element to low-carb chicken fajitas, enhancing the sizzling chicken and peppers with its zesty freshness.
- Pulled Pork Taco Recipe: Pulled pork tacos and guacamole - ultimate flavor combination! Enjoy a refreshing twist to each bite with this pairing.
- Grilled Beer Can Chicken: Grilled beer can chicken becomes even more delicious with a side of guacamole, offering a creamy and tangy contrast to the juicy chicken.
- BBQ Lamb Chops: The amazing guacamole flavors add a delightful touch to BBQ lamb chops, bringing bright flavor that pairs wonderfully with the savory and tender grilled lamb.
- Baked Zucchini Fries: When served alongside baked zucchini fries, guacamole provides a creamy dip that complements the crispy texture of your favorite chips, creating a healthy alternative to traditional fries.
Storage Instructions
- Store leftover guacamole by pressing plastic wrap directly onto its surface to prevent browning and maintain freshness. After wrapping, keep it in an airtight container. Consume within 24 hours, as the texture may change over time due to salt extracting water from the avocado.
Note: Do not freeze your leftover guacamole as the texture of avocado changes significantly upon thawing, resulting in an undesirable consistency. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh and not frozen.
Recipe Conclusion
The best thing about this Easy Guacamole Recipe is that it is flexible —feel free to experiment and substitute the ingredients as you like. Get creative with variations like blue cheese guacamole, mango guacamole, bacon and sage guacamole, and more. Balancing acidity, spices, and crunchy veggies with the creamy avocado base is key.
If you're curious about learning how to peel avocados or want a quick tutorial, check out my simple picture guide with just four easy steps. Once you master it, making guacamole is a breeze.
Try this classic guacamole recipe, or share your favorite recipes with me—I'd love to see your twists. Thanks for reading, and happy guacamole-making!
More Dip Recipes
Looking for more delicious savory dip recipes? Explore these mouthwatering options:
FAQs
Yes, lime juice adds essential acidity and flavor to traditional guacamole
Traditional guacamole consists of ripe avocados, lime juice, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and seasonings.
Guacamole is enhanced by fresh ingredients like ripe avocados, quality lime juice, and a balance of seasonings like salt and spices.
Easy Guacamole Recipe 🥑
Ingredients
Easy Guacamole Ingredient List
- 2 ripe avocados cut in half lengthwise and the pit removed
- 2-3 cloves roasted garlic
- ½ lime juiced
- ½ shallot minced fine
- ½ cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne to taste
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the ingredients and tools required for this recipe.
- Wash the avocadoes.
- Roast the garlic cloves, mince the shallots, and squeeze the lemon juice.
- Chop the tomatoes and cilantro.
- Scoop out the avocado with a spoon and add to a bowl. Mash with a fork.
- Add in the roasted garlic, lime juice, minced shallot, chopped tomatoes, chopped cilantro, cayenne, salt, and fresh cracked pepper to the mashed avocado. Mix well.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Taste again to ensure the flavor is right.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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Maude Driver says
You made this for us last night and we just loved it. I needed to come and say that it was so good. I'll be making this for myself soon!
Scott Groth says
Hi Maude:
So glad to hear that. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Hope you have a fantastic day!
Scott