Perfect Guacamole
- PREP 10min
- TOTAL 10min
We really can’t stop making this easy guacamole, which never lasts long when we serve it! For the best guacamole, use ripe avocados. You’ll know when an avocado is ripe when it gives a little when you squeeze it. Keep your unripe avocados at room temperature until they are ready.
You Will Need
3 ripe medium avocados
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped
1 small tomato, chopped, optional
1 to 2 teaspoons finely chopped jalapeño pepper, with seeds and membrane removed, optional
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
Directions
Prepare onions: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion to a small bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside for 5 minutes, drain, and then rinse. This simple step tones down the raw flavor of the onions.
Make guacamole: Cut the avocados in half lengthwise, remove the pit, scoop out the flesh, and add to a bowl. Use a fork to mash the avocado into a chunky dip.
Stir in the drained and rinsed onions, 1 ½ tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 small chopped tomato (optional), and 1/4 teaspoon salt. If you are adding it, add the finely chopped jalapeño. Taste the guacamole and adjust with more salt or lime juice (I usually end up adding 1/4 teaspoon more salt and a spritz of extra lime).
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Storing: Guacamole is best when eaten soon after making it, but to store it and prevent it from turning brown, press plastic wrap down onto the guacamole, making sure that there’s no space of air between them, and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Spicy guacamole: I love adding diced jalapeño to my guacamole, but since I prefer it on the milder side, I remove all of the seeds and white membrane inside the pepper (you can see me do this in the video). If you love spicier guacamole, add the whole pepper (seeds and all). Serrano peppers are a good substitute, but remember that they can be hotter than jalapeño peppers.
- What to serve next to guacamole: I love tortilla chips or homemade tortillas, but guacamole is excellent next to other dips. Try fresh pico de gallo, this easy restaurant-style salsa, our roasted tomato salsa, and this amazing green salsa made with roasted tomatillos. I also love homemade queso!
- My favorite meals with guacamole: I always add it to these pork tacos, my chile butter shrimp tacos, and these vegetable tacos. You can scoop them on top of this easy taco soup or this black bean soup. I also serve with fajitas and enchiladas!
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.