Simple Guacamole

Here’s the best simple guacamole with the perfect flavor! Creamy, savory and perfectly balanced, you’ll hear a chorus of “Wow’s” every time you serve it.

Guacamole is like potato salad and coleslaw: everyone has their family favorite recipe. And this simple guacamole is ours. It’s a home run every time! When we serve it, a chorus of “Wow’s” fill the room. (Really. Not hyperbole!) What makes it so great? It’s classic and has the perfect balanced flavor: perfectly savory, creamy, and tangy. Serve it up with tortilla chips and your guests — and you — won’t be able to stop eating it.

A perfect pairing? Serve with Homemade Tortilla Chips warm from the oven and our Classic Margarita (or Skinny Margarita). Even better, try it with Micheladas!

What’s in the best simple guacamole?

Alex created this easy guacamole recipe and man is it good! One of our favorite Mexican restaurants in town closed (sadly), and they had the best guacamole on the planet. This one reminds me of theirs! It’s just the right balance of flavors. Here’s what you need for this simple guacamole:

• 3 ripe avocados: The avocados must give when you squeeze them. If they’re firm, don’t even consider using them here!
• White onion: White onion has the most authentic Mexican flavor
• Ripe roma tomato: Again, make sure it’s fresh and ripe!
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is a must.
• Lime juice: You must use juice from an actual lime: no bottled juice cheating! It really makes a flavor difference.

Try serving with our homemade tortilla chips! All you need is 20 minutes, tortillas, olive oil, and salt and you can make your own chips at home.

Try a spicy variation if you like heat

Love spicy food? No problem! You can easily make this easy guacamole spicy by adding a minced spicy pepper! Jalapeño is our favorite flavor to add, but you could use a serrano pepper or whatever you have on hand. Since peppers can vary in heat level, mince the pepper and then add it to taste based on your own tolerance.

Make this guacamole in a molcajete…or a bowl!

What’s a molcajete? It’s the traditional Mexican version of a mortar and pestle, used for grinding and smashing foods. (How to say molcajete? mohl-kah-HEH-teh.) Alex and I made this simple guacamole in the one you see in the photos. It’s the traditional Mexican way to make guacamole, and we must say: it really is the best tool for the job.

Do you need a molcajete to make guacamole? Not at all. You can simply use a bowl and a spoon to mash it. BUT! Not only does it have a beautiful look on your counter, you can use it to make all sorts of recipes. Use a molcajete for grinding spices, making sauces like pesto, salad dressings like cilantro lime dressing, or making salsa and guacamole. Alex and I often use it to grind down our kosher salt into popcorn salt! The link to the one shown in the photos is below.

Get it! Granite molcajete

How to pit an avocado…safely

When you make this simple guacamole, the part that involves the most technique? Pitting the avocado safely. How do you pit an avocado without slicing your hand? Alex and I have a great trick which you’ll see in the video below. Here’s the basic outline of the steps, but it makes more sence when you watch in the video:

1. Using a large chef’s knife, cut lengthwise around the avocado.
2. Twist the two halves to separate them.
3. Place a towel in your hand and put the avocado on top. With a gentle but quick motion, tap the knife into the avocado pit.
4. Don’t remove the avocado pit with your hand! Instead, pull the cutting board close to your body, then place the pit against the far edge of the cutting board and pull back to release it from the knife.

The best way to store guacamole

If you’re a fan, you’ll know this: guacamole turns brown when you store it. Why? When avocados are exposed to air, they oxidize and turn brown. If you have leftovers of this guacamole, here’s a trick on how to keep it bright green for up to 3 days:

• Place the guacamole in a sealable container and smooth the top so it is flat.
• Pour a ½ inch layer of room temperature water on the top. This will act as a barrier between the guacamole and the air.
• When ready to eat, pour off the water. Stir to incorporate the remaining water into the guacamole (you won’t notice a difference).

More classic Mexican recipes

Alex and I are excited to share this simple guacamole recipe with you because it’s a home run every time we serve it. It’s an easy vegan appetizer and plant based dip recipe that’s perfect for parties. While we don’t have Mexican heritage ourselves, we’ve studied Mexican cuisine for years and love to create recipes that are authentic to this beloved fare. Here are a few more of our Mexican recipes and Tex Mex favorites that you absolutely must try:

1. Best salsa Here’s our favorite, made with fresh ripe tomatoes, cilantro, and lots of lime.
2. Vegan enchiladas A stunning recipe that uses this simple guacamole and a to-die-for homemade enchilada sauce.
3. Refried bean dip or 5 minute bean dip Classic chip dips made with beans and spices.
4. Homemade refried beans Seriously classic and oh so good.
5. Black beans and rice Beans jumbled with rice and green bell pepper, seasoned with cumin, lime and cilantro.
6. Veggie fajitas It’s the perfect side to serve with fajitas.
7. Classic margarita The only margarita recipe you need! Here’s how to make the very best margarita with 3 simple ingredients: lime, Cointreau and tequila—and no added sugar. Other great variations: Jalapeno, Skinny, Watermelon, or Cadillac.

This simple guacamole recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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