The Best Homemade Guacamole

The first time I tried guacamole I dipped into it with some hesitation. It just didn’t look like a very good guacamole as it had been sitting around for quite a bit. It wasn’t a bright, vibrant green like you see in pictures…it was a weird grayish, blackish green and was starting to separate a bit. I didn’t even take a bite, I dipped my chip and then kinda hid it under some plates that were scattered around the table.

I decided at that point I didn’t like guacamole OR avocados for that matter. This guacamole hatred lasted for a very long time and I couldn’t figure out WHY people felt the need to keep putting it out at every single party I attended. I was more of a queso girl and nobody puts out the queso dip regularly….WHY tho?

THEN, I met my husband and he is a guacamole-aholic. He gets extra guac with everything and often complains at the size of the “extra” that they give him. It’s like a tablespoon for $4. So not worth it….until you try it.

Yes, I tried it and it was absolute buttery heaven. Such a far departure from that gray, nastiness that was served at that party years ago. So, I, of course, decided to delve into the guacamole making myself with fresh ingredients. It’s far less expensive than “extra guacamole”.

Ingredients For Guacamole

• Avocado – The base for guacamole is avocado and that’s what gives it its vibrant green hue. It’s creamy and smooth with an earthy flavor. You want a room temperature, perfectly ripe avocados. If your avocado is not ripe, you can put it in a paper bag overnight to speed up the ripening process.
• Bell pepper – The crunch of bell pepper is a nice contrast to the creamy dip, you can use red bell pepper, orange bell pepper or yellow bell pepper.
• Jalapeno Pepper – A little heat is added in the form of jalapeño pepper, if you don’t like spice you can leave it out.
• Garlic – Don’t skip the fresh garlic cloves. It’s a flavor bomb that ensures your guacamole isn’t bland.
• Cilantro – I love fresh cilantro and to me it tastes like lemon. If you don’t like cilantro, you can substitute with fresh parsley.
• Lime – Bright fresh flavor comes from fresh lime juice and lime zest, as well as, keeping the guacamole’s green color. Without an acid element, your avocado will oxidize and turn brown. You can substitute with lemon juice or grapefruit juice for an added twist.
• Spices – Ground cumin is my secret ingredient. It makes it taste epically better along with kosher salt and black pepper.

For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.

What is Guacamole?

If you’ve never had guacamole, boy are you in for a treat! Made with simple ingredients, It’s an avocado based dip or spread that originated in Mexico by Aztecs. Aside from it being used as the BEST DIP EVER, you can also use it as a spread for sandwiches or as a topping for burgers, salmon or tacos.

Being the overachiever I am in the kitchen, I had to ensure that I made the most perfect Guacamole Recipe ever! You know, or else, why would it be even worth the effort.

So, I grabbed a few avocados, some vegetables, spices and garlic and went to work. I mashed everything up in a bowl, tasted it, added a few more things, tasted it, dumped it in the trash. Started over. It’s a process but what I found was, I don’t like tomatoes in my guacamole, I love jalapeños and fresh red bell pepper in it, garlic is a must, spice it up with some ground cumin and lots of lime juice is key to balance the richness of the avocado.

Also, cilantro. Don’t leave it out. Unless you’re one of those “cilantro tastes like soap” people. Then, I understand if you want to make your guacamole recipe without cilantro. Parsley is a good substitute.

How To Make Guacamole

My husband agreed that this is the Best Guacamole Recipe and that means a lot being he’s a longtime guac lover. He likes to make his in a zip top bag and squish it around until it’s pretty smooth. I like big chunks so I mash mine up with a fork or a potato masher.

This easy guacamole recipe takes just minutes to make and I think it tastes just like the Chipotle Guacamole recipe. 

1. Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork until well blended or until the desired consistency.
2. Serve immediately.
3. Stuff your face.

Pro Tips for the Best Guacamole

• Avocado – Ripeness is key here so picking the right avocado is paramount. Too hard and you can’t mash it up, too soft and well, it’s just rotten. So, I like to give it a light squeeze and if it gives a little then you’re good. Also, remove the little stem at the end of the avocado, if it’s green then it’s still good. Black, put it back. If you squeeze your avocado and the skin feels like it’s hollow, your avocado is past its prime.
• Make Ahead – You can make your guacamole in advance but be sure to put a thin layer of water on top before sealing in an airtight container. This will keep your guacamole from turning gray or black.
• Freeze – You can totally freeze your guacamole in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Pack the guacamole in a zip-top bag and squeeze all of the air out, or transfer to a freezer container and press a layer of plastic wrap onto the surface of the guacamole to protect it from freezer burn.
• Additions – Chopped white onion, diced tomatoes, lump crab meat, hot sauce, and feta cheese are great mix-ins for guacamole.

How to Serve Guacamole

This authentic guacamole recipe is fantastic served with homemade tortilla chips for dipping or a platter of birria tacos for topping.

It’s also fantastic served with a big plate of nachos or with your Chicken Enchiladas!

More Serving Suggestions

• Freezer Breakfast Burritos with Chorizo
• The Best Breakfast Tacos
• Tortilla Crusted Tilapia with Avocado Mango Salsa
• Chorizo Tacos
• Beef Barbacoa

Love guacamole as much as we do? Try this easy Guacamole Salad, too!

More Easy Dip Recipes

• Guacamole Salsa
• Mango Salsa
• Homemade Pico de Gallo Recipe
• Queso Fundido with Chorizo Recipe // Video