Discover the perfect blend of flavors in this homemade guacamole, featuring fresh red onion, zesty jalapeño, creamy avocados, and more. Elevate your snacking game with this healthy, low-carb, and vegan dip for your next Cinco de Mayo fiesta!
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Updated September 2023
Delicious and Healthy Homemade Guacamole
If you’re on the hunt for a tasty, healthy, and versatile snack or appetizer, look no further than homemade guacamole. This vibrant Mexican-inspired dip is easy to make with avocado, red onion, jalapeño and fresh lime juice.
There are so many versatile ways you can use it too. Serve it with some chips on a platter and you’ve got the perfect party dip for an authentic Mexican fiesta. It also goes perfectly along with tacos, fajitas, salads, by the spoonful or spread some over toast for an easy breakfast or snack. Not only bursting with flavor but also fits various dietary preferences, making it an ideal choice for low carb, vegan, gluten-free, Whole30, keto, and dairy-free lifestyles.
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make guacamole so delicious and nutritious:
- Red Onion: This ingredient adds a delightful crunch and a mild, sweet flavor to your guacamole.
- Jalapeño or Serrano Chili: These peppers bring a spicy kick to the mix, but don’t worry, we’ll remove the seeds and ribs to control the heat.
- Fresh Cilantro Leaves: Cilantro provides a burst of freshness and a vibrant color to your guacamole.
- Sea Salt: A touch of sea salt enhances all the other flavors and makes your guacamole pop.
- Ripe Haas Avocados: The star of the show, avocados give your guacamole its creamy, dreamy texture and a rich, nutty flavor.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Lime juice adds a zesty kick and helps prevent the avocados from browning.
- Optional Additions: Get creative with your guacamole by adding cumin, minced garlic, cayenne pepper, or diced tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
How do you choose the best avocado for guacamole?
The key to an amazing tasting guacamole starts with a rip avocado. If you choose one that is under-ripe, it will be hard and inedible. And if you choose one that is too ripe, it will be mushy and brown.
- The best way to start your search is to look out for the darker avocados and give it a gentle squeeze. If it’s not too hard and gives a little without feeling too hollow or mushy than chances are you’ve found a good one.
- Next, take a look under the stem. If it looks green, then 99% you’ve got a good one. If it looks brown then it’s past its prime.
Instructions: How to make Homemade Guacamole
- Prepare the Onion and Chili Paste: Place the roughly chopped red onion, seeded and ribbed jalapeño or Serrano chili, 1/4 cup of cilantro leaves, and salt in a mortar and pestle or a small food processor. Pound or process these ingredients until you have a fine paste.
- Mash the Avocado: Scoop out the flesh of the ripe Haas avocados and place it in a medium bowl. Roughly mash the avocados with a fork.
- Combine and Season: Add the onion paste you prepared earlier, the remaining cilantro leaves, and lime juice to the mashed avocados. Gently fold everything together. Taste your guacamole and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, lime juice, or any optional toppings and seasonings you desire.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade guacamole is ready to shine! Serve it immediately with warm tortilla chips or as a side to your favorite dishes.
Tips for Guacamole Success
- Choose ripe avocados: They should yield to gentle pressure when squeezed.
- Adjust seasoning to taste: The lime juice and salt quantities can vary depending on your preference, so don’t be afraid to tweak them.
Serving Suggestions
Guacamole is incredibly versatile. Besides dipping with tortilla chips, consider these serving ideas:
- Top your favorite tacos, burritos, fajitas, or nachos with a dollop of guacamole.
- Spread it on sandwiches or burgers for a creamy, flavorful twist.
- Use it as a dressing for salads or a topping for grilled chicken or fish.
Variations and Substitutions
Get creative with your guacamole by experimenting with these variations:
- Mango Guacamole: Add diced mango for a sweet and tangy twist.
- Pineapple Guacamole: Incorporate diced pineapple for a tropical flavor.
- Salsa Verde Guacamole: Mix in some salsa verde for an extra kick.
- Greek Guacamole: Swap cilantro for fresh dill and add crumbled feta cheese.
What’s the best way to store guacamole?
To keep your guacamole green:
You can make guacamole last for several days without browning by placing a halved onion on top of leftover guacamole in a storage container. Place the lid on top and seal. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
The sulfur in the onion prevents the avocado’s browning enzyme from interacting with the air. This little trick allows you to make your guacamole ahead of time and still stay green
When you’re ready to enjoy, remove the onion and give it a good stir.
How long does guacamole stay fresh?
The great thing about guacamole is you can make it ahead of time. You can make and keep guacamole for up to three days in the fridge before it starts to turn a little bit more watery.
Can you freeze it?
Unfortunately, guacamole doesn’t freeze well due to its high water content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is guacamole healthy?
- Yes, guacamole can be a healthy snack or condiment. Avocados are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.
2. How can I control the spiciness of guacamole?
- Removing the seeds and ribs from the chili (jalapeño or Serrano) will reduce its heat. Adjust the amount of chili used to your preferred spice level.
3. Are there variations for guacamole
- Absolutely! You can add ingredients like mango, pineapple, or even diced tomatoes for unique flavors and textures.
4. Is guacamole suitable for various diets?
- Yes, guacamole is versatile and can fit into many dietary preferences, including low carb, vegan, gluten-free, Whole30, keto, and dairy-free.
Other Recipes That Pair Well with Guacamole
- 1 small red onion roughly chopped
- 1 Jalapeño or Serrano chili , seeds and ribs removed, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves finely chopped, divided
- 2 teaspoons sea salt plus more to taste
- 4 ripe Haas avocados halved and pitted
- 2 - 2 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice plus more to taste
- Cumin , minced garlic, cayenne pepper, diced tomatoes
- Place onion, pepper, 1/4 cup cilantro and salt in a mortar and pestle or a small food processor. Pound or process into a fine paste.
Scoop out the flesh of the avocados using a spoon into a medium bowl. Roughly mash with a fork. Add the onion paste, remaining cilantro and lime juice. Fold to combine.
Taste and add additional salt, lime juice and any optional toppings and seasonings.
Serve it immediately with warm tortilla chips or as a side to your favorite dishes.
How to store:
To keep your guacamole green:
You can make guacamole last for several days without browning by placing a halved onion on top of leftover guacamole in a storage container. Place the lid on top and seal. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
The sulfur in the onion prevents the avocado’s browning enzyme from interacting with the air. This little trick allows you to make your guacamole ahead of time and still stay green
When you're ready to enjoy, remove the onion and give it a good stir.
How long:
You can make and keep guacamole for up to three days in the fridge before it starts to turn a little bit more watery.
How to freeze:
Unfortunately, guacamole doesn't freeze well due to its high water content
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