Simple Guacamole

5 from 137 votes

This Simple Guacamole is a fail-proof easy homemade recipe that comes out perfect every time! It's the best appetizer for parties that's fresh and healthy!

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This Simple Guacamole has been a staple recipe in my house forever! In fact, anytime I have any ripe avocados, it’s just a given that they become guacamole. Over years of making this homemade guacamole, I’ve perfected the ratio of all the ingredients so it comes out so good every time.

A bowl of guacamole on a platter with tortilla chips surrounding it.
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When I say this is simple guacamole, I really mean it. Basically, it involves mashing avocados and then adding red onions, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, and salt. The hardest part about this guacamole recipe is smashing the avocadoes, but I find a potato masher, fork, or even a whisk is super helpful for smushing them evenly and quickly!

Recipe At a Glance

Cuisine Inspiration: Mexican
Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
Dietary Info: Vegan, low-carb, and gluten-free
Key Flavor: Avocado
Skill Level: Easy

Why This Is So Good

  • Fast: This easy guacamole recipe is ready in just 10 minutes!
  • Fail-proof: You literally can’t go wrong with this simple guacamole. It has just a handful of ingredients, and as long as you have ripe avocadoes, it’s going to be delicious.
  • Eat it with anything: I like to scoop up this homemade guacamole recipe with tortilla chips for an appetizer, but you could also eat it with tacos, in a burrito in a burrito bowl, or with quesadillas.

Ingredients to Make Simple Guacamole

Avocados, lime, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, garlic, and salt on a marble countertop.
  • Avocados: Use ripe avocados for this recipe!
  • Red onions: Red onion has a milder flavor when compared to white onions. Finely dice the onion so that it doesn’t overpower the guac.
  • Cilantro: Chopped cilantro adds a wonderful freshness to the dip. If you don’t like the taste of cilantro, you can substitute parsley.
  • Jalapeño: Jalapeños are very mild chiles! Their heat is in their seeds, which is why I call for removing them.
  • Lime juice: Always use fresh lime juice. It’s so much more flavorful than bottled stuff! The acid from the lime cuts through the creamy avocado and adds a wonderful zing.
  • Salt: Salt helps to bring all the flavors in this dip alive. Taste the guacamole before serving and adjust as needed. You can also add black pepper, but I usually don’t.

Guacamole Add-in Ideas

  • Chopped tomatoes: This is a popular and common add-in for guacamole. You can use red or green tomatoes, but make sure to remove the seeds and chop them finely!
  • Ground cumin or other seasoning: Cumin takes the flavor to another level. You can also add dried versions of ingredients already used in the recipe to highlight those flavors, like garlic powder, onion powder, or coriander.
  • More heat: Try keeping the seeds in the jalapeno, using hotter serrano peppers, or stirring in some hot sauce.
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt: This makes the guacamole creamier and adds a bit of protein to it as well. It can also be a great way to mellow out the recipe if it comes out too spicy.
  • Grilled corn or other grilled vegetables: The smoky and sweet flavor of grilled corn, or even grilled bell peppers, is an excellent way to complement the dip!
  • Chopped fruit: Diced pineapple or mango would be delicious.
  • Cheese: Try sprinkling this simple guacamole with crumbled cotija or feta cheese.

Guacamole Tutorial Video

How to Make Simple Guacamole

The key to this easy guacamole recipe is to mash the avocadoes thoroughly—mash them real good.

Avocado halves in a large glass mixing bowl.
Step 1: Cut the avocados in half and remove the flesh using a spoon. Be sure to check out my post on how to cut an avocado to help you cut it safely and limit any waste.
Mashed avocados in a large glass mixing bowl.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, mash the avocado halves with a fork or potato masher until it’s as smooth or chunky as you like.
Mashed avocado and minced jalapeno, red onion, and cilantro in a large glass mixing bowl.
Step 3: Add the red onions, cilantro, jalapeño peppers, garlic, lime juice, and salt on top.
Guacamole in a large glass mixing bowl.
Step 4: Gently mix with a spoon, taste, and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Tips for Making the Best Guacamole

  1. Use ripe avocados. When you squeeze them, they should give a little. This makes them much easier to mash. Plus, ripe avocadoes have the best flavor.
  2. Don’t use a food processor to make the guacamole. It will turn it into a puree, and you’ll have extra cleanup to do! If the avocados are ripe, you’ll only need a fork or potato masher to get the job done.
  3. Don’t skip the lime. Guac needs acid to help cut through the fatty avocado. It also helps prevent the guacamole from browning too quickly.
  4. Taste the guacamole. Do this before serving, and add salt and lime juice, depending on your preference. Good guacamole has a generous helping of salt to boost all of the flavors.
A person using a tortilla chip to scoop up guacamole out of a bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to store guacamole?

My favorite method to store guacamole is to transfer it to an airtight container, place plastic wrap on top, and then press down the plastic wrap until it covers the entire guacamole and there are no air pockets. Place the container’s lid on top and store it in the fridge.

How long does guacamole last?

If you use my method for covering the guacamole and limit how often you remove it from the fridge, it should last for up to 5 days. You can also add a touch of lime juice between the guacamole and plastic wrap to extend the storage time.

Do you always have to serve guacamole straight away?

Actually, you can let the guacamole sit (covered) in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving. This allows the flavors to really meld together.

A tortilla chip being used to scoop up guacamole from a bowl.

We’re obsessed with this simple guacamole recipe in my house. It’s the perfect beginner recipe that’s totally fail-proof! You will love it, and your family and guests will scoop it up. I’ve found that I can never make enough of this guacamole…it goes that quickly!

More Dip Recipes

If you try this feel good Guacamole recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!

Simple Guacamole

This Simple Guacamole is a fail-proof easy homemade recipe that comes out perfect every time! It's the best appetizer for parties that's fresh and healthy!
5 from 137 votes
Servings 6 servings
Course Appetizer, Dips
Calories 171
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
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Video

Ingredients
  

  • 3 avocados
  • ½ cup red onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and finely minced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Cut the avocados in half lengthwise. Remove the pit, scoop out the avocado flesh with a spoon and place the avocado halves in a medium bowl. Mash with a fork to your desired consistency.
  • Add the red onions, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño pepper, lime juice and salt. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning or lime juice as necessary.
  • Serve immediately with tortilla chips, if desired.

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last about 3-4 days in the fridge. Make sure to cover it with a piece of plastic wrap pressed on top of the guacamole so it is touching it. This usually prevents it from browning. If some browning does occur, just scrape the browned layer off and serve.
Make Ahead Tips: You can make chop all the ingredients and juice the lime up to a day in advance. Then you can mash the avocado and assemble before enjoying.

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Sodium: 202mg, Potassium: 530mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 223IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine Mexican
Course: Appetizer, Dips
5 from 137 votes (132 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Catherine says:

    Excellent!

    1. Yumna says:

      Thank you!

  2. Vielka says:

    Hello Yumna. The guacamole was so good. I took it to a party and it was gone so fast. I got lots of compliments. Next time I’ll snap a photo. Best guacamole ever. I followed the recipe and then added a bit of fresh ground black pepper. Thank you.

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      Thank you so much! That’s great to hear!!

  3. VEN says:

    Hi Yumna – Your recipes are to die for. I’m harvesting them now. We always use Cumin in our guac. And a generous amount at that. We bought one of those ‘guac savers’ that pushes out all the air and keeps it from turning yucky, and I can tell you it absolutely works. Our guac last time was good at 3 or 4 days out!

    1. Yumna J. says:

      Thank you so much! Yes, cumin takes the flavor to another level! And that container sounds game changing!

  4. SueBrue says:

    I made the guacamole! Neither my husband nor I are fans of onions so I cut them really, really tiny, I didn’t want to eliminate them. It was delicious! Also we covered tightly with cling wrap, pressing out the air as suggested and the guac lasted a few days without turning brown. Used it on tacos later in the week. Lemon pasta is next!

    1. Yumna J. says:

      I’m so glad to hear that! Hope you enjoy the Lemon Pasta too!

  5. Amy says:

    I love your tips. Pressing the plastic wrap so that it touches the guacamole is such a clever way to prevent browning. It worked like a charm.