Best Guacamole Recipe (VIDEO)
This authentic Guacamole Recipe is loaded with avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, plenty of lime juice, salt, and pepper. Learn how to make the BEST EVER Guacamole with our easy video tutorial.
Guacamole is the perfect appetizer with crunch tortilla chips but it’s also amazing as a topping for Taco Salad, it’s delicious on Tostadas and so good on Chicken Fajitas. It complements so many Mexican recipes.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Guacamole Recipe
We take our guacamole very seriously – we make this on our regular rotation (at least once a week) and after making hundreds of batches, it has been perfected over the years. This is the only guacamole recipe you’ll need. It’s creamy, chunky, so fresh, and has just the right amount of lime zing. It’s so satisfying and hard to stop eating it.
Guacamole Video
If you love guacamole recipes, this classic guacamole is the base for so many awesome variations like Corn Guacamole, or even Spicy Guacamole if you want to add some heat. It’s so easy to master guacamole and once you have this basic recipe down, you can experiment with adding your favorite flavors.
Ingredients
Once you have selected your perfectly ripe avocados, getting the ratio of ingredients is important for the most authentic-tasting guacamole. Here’s what you will need for homemade guacamole:
- Avocados – avocados are the star of the show so make sure you pick ripe avocados (see our tips for selecting avocados below).
- Lime Juice – we use 1 Tbsp of FRESH lime juice for every 1 large avocado. The lime juice helps to prevent browning and the right amount will make your guacamole come alive (but not literally, don’t worry).
- Onion – the flavor profile of white onions is our top choice for authentic-tasting guacamole, but you can substitute use whichever onions (yellow, or purple) that you have on hand.
- Tomato – not everyone adds tomatoes but I love the color and juicy sweetness it adds to guacamole. If your tomato is very juicy when diced, strain off the juices before adding it.
- Cilantro – I don’t think you can have a proper batch of guacamole without the freshness of cilantro. That said, I also recognize some people are genetically predisposed to not liking cilantro. If that is you, you might try parsley, basil, dill, chives or green onions.
- Salt and Pepper – Salt enhances the flavor of avocado and tomato and balances the acidity of lime juice, while freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle heat. You can add both to taste.
How to Select Avocados
When you are buying avocados, consider when you will be making your guacamole and if they need time to ripen. If you want guacamole tonight, select perfectly ripe avocados. If you are shopping ahead, you can get firm avocados and follow our tips below for faster ripening.
- Select Ripe Avocados – ripe avocados should have stems attached and you should be able to push the sides in slightly with your fingertips.
- Avoid overripe avocados – overly soft and squishy avocados or avocados with missing stems are more likely to have browned on the inside.
- To soften hard avocados – place underripe avocados in a paper bag with an apple or banana (which releases ethylene gasses to speed up ripening) and leave at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- To slow down ripening – if your avocados are getting ripe and you aren’t ready to use them, you can slow down the ripening process by placing whole avocados in the refrigerator.
How to Make Guacamole
This is the same basic process for making every guacamole recipe and you will have it memorized in no time.
- Prep avocados – Start by cutting the avocado in half lengthwise then remove the pit, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Coarsely mash with a potato masher to a chunky consistency.
- Add lime juice – Squeeze lime juice directly over the top to prevent browning.
- Add remaining ingredients – add diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and onion.
- Season – add salt and pepper to taste, and stir just to combine.
Pro Tip: Watch the video tutorial above to see our favorite way to cut, pit and peel avocados.
Ways to Serve Guacamole
From a stand-alone appetizer to a topping, dip or garnish, there are so many great ways to serve guacamole. Here are some of our favorites:
Common Questions
Check out the nutrition label below to see the calories and carbs for guacamole. Avocados are nutrient-rich and contain fiber and good fats. To make it healthier, you can control your portion sizes by eating in moderation. Also, instead of chips for dipping, try whole grain crackers or use fresh veggies like cucumbers.
Lime juice is the traditional choice, but we often substitute lime juice with lemon juice if that is what we have on hand. If substituting, use the same amount of lemon juice. The KEY is to use freshly squeezed juice and never from concentrate or it will taste like boring store-bought guac.
White onion is the classic choice for guacamole because of its crisp, fresh, and clean flavor profile. You can substitute for yellow onion or red onion like we did with the Corn Guacamole, but white onion is most commonly used in authentic guac.
We can’t get enough of this homemade guacamole. I’d love to hear about your favorite guacamole ingredients. Is there anything special that you love to add?
Make-Ahead
Guacamole tastes best enjoyed within a day or so of making it, but there is a better way to store leftovers to prevent discoloring:
- To Refrigerate – you can whip up a batch of guacamole a day ahead. Air is the enemy of avocados and will cause it to brown. You can preserve your guacamole by placing plastic wrap directly over the surface of the guacamole, pushing out all extra air. Even if stored in closed Tupperware, putting plastic wrap directly over the guacamole first will keep it looking green and vibrant.
- Freezing – we do not recommend freezing since the veggies can get soggy and mealy when thawed.
More Appetizer Recipes
If you are looking for more appetizer ideas for your next party, these are some of our best loved, crowd-pleasing appetizers:
Best Guacamole Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
How to make the BEST EVER Guacamole. This authentic guac recipe is loaded with avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, plenty of lime juice, salt and pepper. The only guacamole recipe you’ll need!
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: guacamole, guacamole recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $6-$9
Calories: 171
Servings: 6 people as an appetizer
- 3 avocados, (large, ripe)
- 1 tomato, (medium), seeded and diced
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro, (1/3 bunch) finely chopped
- 3 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
-
Cut 3 avocados in half lengthwise, remove pits, scrape the flesh of the avocado out with a spoon. Place in a medium bowl with a flat bottom and mash avocados with a potato masher to a chunky consistency.
-
Squeeze 3 Tbsp of fresh lime juice directly over avocados while prepping the rest of your ingredients.
-
Add diced tomatoes, onion, and chopped cilantro. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir just until combined and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Best Guacamole Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 171 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 203mg9%
Potassium 565mg16%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 407IU8%
Vitamin C 16mg19%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
