Even if you’re not a huge avocado fan, this homemade guacamole is hard to resist. It’s loaded with fresh ingredients and avoids any fillers. Once you taste it, you’ll never be able to eat the store-bought version again! If you have more ripe avocados to use up, be sure to try avocado brownies or my chocolate avocado smoothie.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ripe avocados are key to a good guac. You can tell if your avocado is ripe by squeezing it with your hand; it should have a slight give, but not feel mushy. When possible, buy firm avocados at the store and let them ripen on your counter at home for a few days. This will make them less likely to be bruised or spotted when you cut into them later. (Toss them in a paper bag with an apple or banana to speed up the ripening process.) For an authentic guacamole recipe, pair the avocado with red onion, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeño, and salt. You can also add a clove of finely minced garlic if you’d like, or some diced Roma tomatoes for extra color and texture. (When tomatoes aren’t in season, skip them!)
How to Make the Best Guacamole
Cut each avocado in half, remove the pit, and use a spoon to scoop the avocado flesh into a large bowl. Use a fork to mash the avocado. Next, add in the diced red onion, lime juice, jalapeño, cilantro, and salt. Stir well, then give it a taste and make any adjustments, as needed. You can add an extra pinch of salt or lime juice, as needed. Serve this guacamole right away at room temperature with tortilla chips, or over your favorite nachos, chicken enchiladas, or vegan quesadillas. If you’re not going to use it all right away, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (See tips below to prevent browning.)
Tips to Prevent Browning
When you want to keep guacamole fresh during a party or need to make it ahead of time, here are some tips for keeping your homemade guacamole looking fresh. When stored using these tips, you can keep your homemade guacamole looking fresh for up to 72 hours in the fridge. But if you plan on serving this to a crowd, I would plan on serving it the next day to be on the safe side. Have leftovers? Serve leftover guacamole with a side of peach salsa, spread it over avocado toast or sweet potato enchiladas, or use it as a layer in my Vegan 7-Layer Dip. If you try this homemade guacamole recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
