Authentic Guacamole Recipe [Step-by-Step] (2024)

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One Recipe, Two Methods of Preparation

Homemade guacamole can be prepared in two ways: with a bowl and fork or in the molcajete, a Mexican mortar and pestle. Making it in the molcajete gets the most incredible results. Let us show you both simple methods of preparation.

Authentic Guacamole Recipe [Step-by-Step] (1)

How to Make

Start With the Ingredients

Freshingredients make the dish.Guacamole just requiresa few ingredients:

  • avocado
  • white onion
  • tomato
  • serrano peppers
  • cilantro.

Because it is an uncooked dish, what you choose to make it with really counts. Unripe or poor quality ingredients have nowhere to hide. And, please, please, please don’t add those guacamole seasoning packets. They have no place in a properly made guacamole dip.

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How to Tell if an Avocado is Ripe

When you are choosing avocados, you want ones that are ripe but not overly mushy. To tell if an avocado is ripe, use your thumb and gently push on the top where the stem connects. This is the narrower end of the avocado. The flesh should give a little. If it doesn’t give a little, it isn’t ripe enough. If it gives too easily, it is too ripe and won’t make a good guacamole but it will make a great salsa in the blender. Don’t throw out mushy avocados.

How to Pit an Avocado

Avocados have large pits that need to be removed.

The most common method for removing the pit is to use a kitchen knife cut all the way around the avocado lengthwise then twist the two halves of the avocado until one side pops off.

Then holding the side of the avocado with pit in the palm of your hand with the pit facing up hit the pit with the sharp side of the knife blade to embed the knife in the pit. Twist the knife sideways and the pit will pop out.

A word of warning: Avocado injuries that send people to the emergency room are common. Use a great deal of caution when removing the pit to avoid cutting your hand.

To Lime or Not To Lime?

Should you add lime to your guacamole? I say no. I side with the great Diana Kennedy who says you should never add lime to your guacamole because it spoils the delicate balance of flavors. Can you add lime? Of course. I would recommend that you add lime sparingly to gently give the flavor an acidic boost. You want to enhance the flavor not overpower it.

Method 1 – Guacamole Made in the Molcajete

Our first guacamole recipe is our favorite method of preparation. If you have a molcajete, use it to make the best guacamole. The results are incredible.

(Check out our Video Guide to Using a Molcajetewhich includes a great recipe for making a rustic salsa. Molcajetes are a must-have in a Mexican kitchen.)

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Build the Flavors in Layers

Add the onion, serrano chile, cilantro, and salt to the molcajete and grind until you have a uniform paste. The paste takes on a beautiful dark green color from the cilantro.

Grinding the ingredients releases the volatile oil of the vegetables and more evenly disperses the flavors throughout the guacamole.

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Method 2 – The Fork and Bowl Method

Our second authentic guacamole recipe is the classic way to prepare it if you don’t have a molcajete.

You just need a large bowl and a sturdy fork. The avocados are mashed instead of ground. If you are making a double-batch a potato masher will make quick work of it.

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How to Serve Guacamole

Serve guacamole with homemade corn tortilla chips. Guacamole tacos are a thing. To make, spread a couple of spoonfuls on a warm corn tortilla fold and eat.

It is a great side dish for carne asada. It is enjoyed throughout Mexico and for that matter the world.

Authentic Guacamole Recipes

How to make guacamole. 2 methods of preparation: the best-known method, prepared with a bowl and fork or made in the molcajete, a Mexican mortar and pestle. Both methods have the authentic Mexican taste.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Guacamole Recipe, Guacamole Recipe Easy, How to Make Guacamole

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 265kcal

Author Douglas Cullen

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe avocados
  • ¾ cup finely chopped Roma tomato
  • 2 serrano chiles very finely chopped seeded and deveined
  • 3 heaping tablespoons of finely chopped onion
  • 3 tbsp. of minced cilantro
  • salt to taste usually about ¾ of a teaspoon

Instructions

  • STANDARD METHOD

  • Remove the flesh of the avocados.

  • Mash the avocados with the back of a fork.

  • Add the other ingredients and incorporate evenly.

  • Add salt to taste.

  • MOLCAJETE METHOD

  • Add the chopped onion, serrano chile, cilantro, and salt to the molcajete.

  • Grind until you have a smooth paste.

  • Add the avocados to the molcajete and grind until slightly chunky.

  • Add the tomatoes to the molcajete and incorporate. Do not grind the tomatoes.

  • Adjust the salt.

Notes

Preparation

  • Guacamole should be served as soon as you make it. Don’t make it in advance. It doesn’t keep well. It turns brown very quickly.
  • Don’t chill the guacamole. It should be served at room temperature.
  • The recipe calls for two serrano chiles which make a moderately hot guacamole. Add up to 2 more serrano chiles if you want it hotter. Leaving the seeds and veins in the chiles will make it even hotter.
  • You can add lime juice to give it an acidic boost but add sparingly so not to overpower the flavors of the other ingredients.

Substitutions

The following ingredients are acceptable substitutions that will give comparable results.

  • You can substitute jalapeños for the serrano peppers.
  • You can substitute red onion for white onion.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cup | Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Sodium: 488mg | Sugar: 1g

More Easy Avocado Recipes

  • Fresh Avocado Salsa
  • Spicy Tuna Salad with Avocado
  • Chicken Taquitos with an Avocado Salsa
  • Spicy Avocado Dip
  • Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa

More Side Dishes

  • Warm Chipotle Bean Dip
  • Mashed Potato Croquettes
  • Mexican Turkey Stuffing
  • Spicy Avocado Dip

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda Priesmeyer says

    Authentic Guacamole Recipe [Step-by-Step] (24)
    Loving these authentic recipes!

    Reply

  2. Dave says

    Authentic Guacamole Recipe [Step-by-Step] (25)
    This is how I make mine! I add a little garlic.

    There’s a definite bond between the cook and the food when hand-making salsas and guacamole in a seasoned, lava-stone, molcajete from Mexico! I believe that the hand-crafting and history of the molcajete and the tejolote, adds an increased depth of flavor.

    Reply

  3. Bruce says

    I hate to see the word authentic used when it comes to recipes. A dish is made one way in some city and made differently in a city a 100 miles away. They are both “authentic” probably. Eat what you like the taste of. I like burritos as they are made in the Mission. I’ve had my share of burritos in Mexico and I like the Mission ones better. They are easier to find in the Mission also.

    I have all the respect in the world for Ms Diana Kennedy and probably own 10 of her great cookbooks. I make guac with what grows on our property and that includes limes. The lime juice helps keep the guacamole from turning brown, plus I like a little citrus taste. During a good season we get 400+ avos and make a lot of guacamole.

    Reply

  4. besten says

    Authentic Guacamole Recipe [Step-by-Step] (26)
    thank you<3333

    Reply

  5. TXtrish says

    Two other tips that I use. A way to see if the avocado is ripe is to both gently feel it, and pop off the stem button at end. If it’s green, good to go. If it’s brown, probably over-ripe. The other tip which generally works for removing the pit, it is hold the open pitted half in one hand and using two fingers gently squueze. If it’s reasonably ripe the pit typically just slides out. I no longer use a knife to remove it; learned the hard way. BTW, I swear by the molcojete method, getting the initial ingredients down to a paste makes all the difference. I always add jalapeno.

    Reply

    • Douglas Cullen says

      Thanks for the tips! We totally agree with you on using the molcajete method. It definitely brings out more flavor. Cheers!

      Reply

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Authentic Guacamole Recipe [Step-by-Step] (2024)

FAQs

How do you make guacamole taste better? ›

Season to Taste.

Next, add lime juice. Often an additional pop of citrus is all guac needs to come alive and taste better. If you still aren't happy with the taste, you can rely on mix-ins to jazz it up. Try adding cilantro, salsa, a diced jalapeno or serrano pepper, feta cheese, or a few dashes of hot sauce.

What is traditional guacamole made of? ›

Here's all you need for traditional guacamole: ripe avocados, coriander/cilantro, red onions, jalapeño or Serrano chilli, lime and salt. Avoid unnecessary fillers such as sour cream and cream cheese. They only dilute flavour. Popular optional extras include: garlic, tomato, cumin powder.

Does lemon juice keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

Editor's Tip: You may have heard a squirt of lemon or lime juice also keeps guacamole from browning. It's true—as long as you cover the entire surface of the dip with citrus juice.

How do Mexican restaurants keep their guacamole fresh? ›

Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a barrier with the air. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap, so it is flush with the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or put the guacamole in a sealed tub.

Why you should leave the lime out of guacamole? ›

Lime is an integral part of great guacamole—or so we thought. Turns out, you get to taste and enjoy the pure flavor of avocado better in guacamole without the lime.

What kind of onion is best for guacamole? ›

Most people prefer to use sweet white onion in their guacamole recipe. Red or yellow onion tends to give the guacamole too strong of a garlic flavor.

Can you use lemon juice instead of lime juice in guacamole? ›

I like the flavor better with lemon juice, but lime works too. If you're out of fresh lemons or limes, try using bottled lime or lemon juice. Although, freshly squeezed juice is definitely the best! Salt: Salt enhances the flavors and brings it all together.

Are you supposed to put tomatoes in guacamole? ›

You're allowed to do it any way you like it. Onion, cilantro, persley, garlic, serrano chiles, jalapeño chiles, pomegranate, lime juice, vinegar, olive oil, mango, chicharrón (crunchy pork skin) salt, pepper and of course red or green tomato are some of the items you might add to you guacamole.

Can you put too much lemon in guacamole? ›

5- Adding too much of lemon juice

Preparing guacamole without mistakes also lies in the amount of lemon that is added. The lemon juice is used to give it a sour touch, and prevent it from oxidizing. However, adding too much will bitter the flavor of your guacamole.

Why put olive oil in guacamole? ›

Olive oil is rich in healthy fats and imparts a subtle richness to guacamole that makes it even more satisfying. In addition, it can help to prevent the avocado from turning brown too quickly by forming a barrier between the surface of the guacamole and the air.

What is the difference between Mexican guacamole and American guacamole? ›

Generally speaking, the guacamole in Mexico is going to taste a bit fresher. The avocados, cilantro, and even the chiles used in the Mexican version are likely to be significantly fresher than those in the U.S. version.

What are the white strings in guacamole? ›

The strings might be a bit of a nuisance, but they're harmless! So what are they, exactly? These strings are actually vascular bundles, meaning they are responsible for bringing all those nutrients and water from the tree into the fruit (yes avocado is a fruit).

How far in advance should you make guacamole? ›

Guacamole needs to be made fresh or just a few hours ahead of time. If you're not planning to serve it immediately, press a piece of plastic wrap directly over the dip and refrigerate for up to two hours; after that, it will start to deteriorate. Be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving.

How does Chipotle keep their guacamole from turning brown? ›

Each panned guac gets sealed airtight with Saran Wrap,” he said. “Then it gets lidded, labeled and stored for later use. This process ensures freshness and prevents browning,” he continued.

How does chipotle guac not turn brown? ›

To keep the leftover guacamole from browning, the employee rips off a sheet of plastic wrap, then presses it all the way down to the surface of the guacamole, knocking out the air that would be in the container if it was just sealed with a lid.

Why is restaurant guacamole so green? ›

It isn't exposed to air

When avocados are exposed to air, they begin to oxidize. That's when and why they start to turn brown. But if you can eliminate any contact with air, guacamole — or even an avocado half — can be stored for longer without changing colors.

Will citric acid keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

"The flesh of the avocado oxidizes quickly — much like a cut apple — which changes the color. The addition of citric acid, like from lime juice in your guac can help delay this process but will not completely prevent it," she says.

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