Serve this with my Loaded Nachos, Baked Tacos, Chicken Quesadillas, Steak Fajitas, and Chicken Enchiladas!
It doesn’t get much better than a big ol’ bowl of homemade guacamole with fresh ingredients! There are so many different ways to make this recipe, and there’s no right or wrong way, but in my opinion, nothing beats the Alton Brown’s Guacamole recipe. Let’s talk about the best ingredients for guacamole, how to tell if an avocado is ripe, and how to keep guacamole from turning brown!
How to Tell if an Avocado is Ripe
A ripe avocado will have these 3 signs:
The Avocado is soft (but not mushy) on each end when you gently press it. It’s darker in color (vs. a brighter green.) The stem of the avocado comes off easily and is green or yellow underneath.
How Long Does it Take for an Avocado to Ripen?
An unripe avocado generally takes 4-7 days to ripen when stored at room temperature.
How to Ripen an Avocado Faster
Placing an avocado in a brown paper bag will speed up the ripening process. Conversely, placing an avocado in the refrigerator will slow down the ripening process.
How to Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown
Air is the enemy when you’re keeping guacamole fresh. Pack the guacamole down in an airtight container and remove as much air as you can. Use a good, sticky plastic wrap to create a tight seal on the top of the guacamole with no air in between. I swear by this kind. Pour water over the top of the plastic wrap and then place the lid on the container to really seal it good. Avocado is so dense that it doesn’t absorb the water if any touches the surface. Coating the avocados in Lime Juice also helps to keep it fresh and green
Do Avocado Pits Keep Guacamole Fresh?
Not as well as you may think. Long Story Short: Only the surface area of the guacamole that the pit is touching is protected from browning. This article explains it best.
How to Slice an Avocado
This avocado slicer makes slicing an avocado and removing the pit much easier. Otherwise, use a sharp knife and start at the avocado stem and work your way around as evenly as you can. Carefully tap the sharp end of the knife into the pit and twist/pull up to remove.
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Recipe Source: Alton Brown
