Nov 8, 2023
Best Guacamole Recipe – Love and Lemons
The BEST guacamole recipe! It’s easy to make with simple, fresh ingredients like ripe avocados, onion, and lime juice. Great with chips, tacos, and more!
If you don’t already have a go-to guacamole recipe, let me introduce you to mine.
- This guacamole recipe is easy to make. You can whip it up in 10 minutes or less!
- It calls for simple, fresh ingredients. Think ripe avocados, onion, cilantro, and lime.
- It’s DELICIOUS. This homemade guacamole is creamy, zesty, and bright.
I developed the recipe while I was living in Austin, Texas. The city has incredible Tex Mex and Mexican food, and I ate a TON of great guac at local restaurants there. It inspired me to learn how to make guacamole at home. With a little trial and error (and lots of lime juice), I worked out this simple guacamole recipe, which rivals any I’ve had out to eat. It’s been a hit at countless parties and taco nights over the years—I think you’re going to love it!
Guacamole Ingredients
To make this guacamole recipe, you’ll need these simple ingredients:
- Ripe avocados – Emphasis on ripe! If your avocados are too firm, they won’t mash into a smooth and creamy guac. See the tip below!
- Red onion – For crunch and savory bite. Diced white onions work here too.
- Fresh cilantro – I love the refreshing kick it adds to this guacamole recipe, but you can skip it if you’re not a fan.
- Fresh lime juice and zest – They make the guacamole zesty and bright.
- Jalapeño – For heat. Feel free to omit it if you’re sensitive to spice. A serrano pepper would work here too!
- Ground cumin – Optional, but delicious. It adds earthy depth of flavor.
- And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Recipe Tip
Buy the avocados ahead of time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to the grocery store planning to make this guacamole recipe…only to discover that all the avocados are rocks!
If you can, shop a few days in advance. Store unripe avocados at room temperature until they’re soft to the touch. Then, transfer them to the fridge until you’re ready to make guac.
Wondering if you can speed up the ripening process? I’ve tried every trick there is (putting the avocados in a paper bag, baking them, etc.) with zero success. Planning ahead is the best way to ensure you’ll have perfectly ripe avocados for this recipe!
How to Make Guacamole
You can find the complete guacamole recipe with measurements below, but for now, here’s a quick overview of how to make guacamole:
Starting by prepping the ingredients. Peel and pit the avocados, and finely dice the onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Zest the limes.
Place the avocados, onion, cilantro, lime zest, peppers, salt, and cumin, if using, in a large bowl. Squeeze in the lime juice.
Next, mash. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the guacamole together. The final texture is up to you. Mash less if you like your guac a little chunky. Mash more if you like it smoother!
Finally, season to taste. Add more salt, lime, cumin, etc. as desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
This classic guacamole recipe is delicious as written, but feel free to change it up! If you like, stir in mix-ins such as these:
- Diced roma tomatoes
- Grated garlic
- Cotija cheese
- Diced fresh mango or pineapple
Let me know what variations you try!
How to Serve Guacamole
My favorite way to serve this easy guacamole recipe is as a dip with tortilla chips. It’s such a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
For a full party spread, I like to pair it with margaritas to drink and a homemade salsa. It goes well with any of these salsa recipes:
Homemade guacamole is also a great accompaniment to Mexican-inspired meals. Add a scoop to veggie tacos or a breakfast burrito, or spoon it onto your next burrito bowl. Find more Mexican-inspired recipes below.
How to Store Leftovers
Like bananas and apples, avocados oxidize, or turn brown, after you slice them open. This browning won’t change how the guac tastes, but it doesn’t look super appealing. For this reason, I like to mix up guacamole right before serving.
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
To prevent leftover guac from browning, squeeze a little lemon juice or lime juice over its surface before sealing the container. You could also press a layer of plastic wrap over the top of the guacamole before placing on the lid.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
If you loved learning how to make guacamole, try one of these Mexican-inspired recipes next:
Best Guacamole Recipe
Serves 4 to 6
The BEST guacamole recipe! It’s easy to make with simple, fresh ingredients. Serve it as a dip with tortilla chips or with Tex Mex and Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, and more.
- 3 avocados, ripe
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- Zest and juice of 2 limes
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, diced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin, optional
- optional: 1 to 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
Prevent your screen from going dark
In a large bowl, combine the avocados, onion, cilantro, lime zest and juice, jalapeño, salt, and cumin, if using. Mash until the ingredients are combined but still a bit chunky.
Fold in the tomatoes, if using.
Season to taste and serve.