Best Ever Guacamole
This is the best guacamole recipe as it’s simple to make and uses fresh, high-quality ingredients. Authentic guacamole doesn’t contain fillers and unnecessary ingredients. All you need is avocados, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, garlic, and salt. Easy and delicious!
I’m not one for hyperbole, but this really is the best guacamole recipe. When it comes to crowd-raving guacamole the key is to not get too fancy or try to be too unique. Guacamole is meant to be easy to make and delicious. Plain and simple. It’s a blend of a few high quality ingredients with flavors that meld together beautifully.
After numerous trips to Mexico and working alongside Mexican chefs, I can confirm that this guacamole is the real deal. Fresh, easy, and authentic! Just as you would get in Mexico.
Guacamole Ingredients
With just 8 simple ingredients you can make one of the all-time-best dip recipes.
- Avocados: I’ve got a few tips for picking ripe ones below.
- Onion: I’m using yellow onion which is most often used in Mexico, but you could use red onion as well.
- Tomatoes: Choose Roma tomatoes which are less juicy. No one wants a watery guac.
- Cilantro: One of my favorite herbs and a staple in Mexican cuisine.
- Jalapeno: You can also use serrano pepper for a little extra heat.
- Garlic: Some people like their guac with garlic, others like it without. I love just a little.
- Lime: Freshly squeezed lime is a must. Don’t use jarred lime juice as the flavor is muted.
- Salt: A pinch of flakey salt brings it all together.
Pick Ripe Avocados for the Best Guacamole
The best guacamole starts with the freshest ingredients. Look for avocados that are ripe, but firm. You definitely don’t want soft and mushy avocados.
So how do you pick good, ripe avocados? First, grab avocados that still have the stem attached. If the stem has been removed in the store, it’s more likely to have brown spots on the inside. Then, gently press on one end. It should be firm, but have a slight give to it.
How Do You Make Guacamole?
Slice three ripe avocados in half, remove the pit and scoop them into a mixing bowl. Then use a fork to gently mash them to your desired level of chunky or smooth. Add the onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, garlic, lime juice and salt and stir everything together. That’s it. The most delicious, easy guacamole.
How to Store Leftovers (and Keep it Green!)
Guacamole oxidizes and turns brown pretty darn quick. The lime juice helps to slow this process, but it’s inevitable that leftover guacamole will eventually start to brown.
Now, I’ve tried every kitchen hack imaginable to keep guacamole green (I eat a lot of guacamole). So what doesn’t work? Well, let’s start with leaving the pit in the guacamole. This does nothing to prevent browning and there’s no scientific justification for it. Consider it an old wives tale.
Next, many say to add lemon juice. And this helps a bit, but I don’t like that it changes the flavor profile of my beloved guacamole.
The most common guacamole preservation hack is placing plastic wrap directly on the guacamole to prevent oxidation. And this may work for a day or two. But I’m striving to reduce my plastic consumption and just don’t love this method.
So in my quest to keep my guacamole green I stumbled on this hack – and it’s brilliant.
Here’s how to keep guacamole green:
- Place your leftover guacamole in a storage container and pat it down firmly with a spoon so it’s nice and flat on top.
- Add about 1/2 inch of water on top (I used cold water).
- Place the lid on the storage container and store it in the fridge. That’s it!
- When you want to enjoy the guacamole, drain the water off the top, give it a stir and you’re good to go.
I tested this method for three full days and it worked like a charm. It stays perfectly fresh and delicious. Though I will admit by the third day it does start to get a little more watery. But who has guacamole last that long anyway?
Watch My Guacamole Recipe Video
While this recipe is easy to make, I have some tips for making the best guacamole recipe you’ve ever tasted. Watch my step-by-step tutorial video below!
More Delicious Mexican Inspired Recipes
For all my Mexican food lovers, give these reader favorite recipes a try:
- Carne Asada (turned into Tacos and Fries)
- Carnitas (turned into Tacos and Burrito Bowl)
- Barbacoa (turned into Tacos and Burrito Bowl)
- Shrimp Tacos
- Citrus Shrimp Ceviche
- Pico de Gallo (Chunky Salsa)
- Salsa (Restaurant-Style)
And you can wash all of those down with my Mango Margarita, Strawberry Margarita or Classic Margarita. Or my Agua Fresca for a non-alcoholic option.
For tasty guacamole variations, try my festive Pomegranate Guacamole, tasty BLT Guacamole, and bite-sized Guacamole Stuffed Tomatoes!
Best Ever Guacamole (Fresh, Easy & Authentic)
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 3 avocados, ripe
- ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Slice the avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop into a mixing bowl.
- Mash the avocado with a fork and make it as chunky or smooth as you’d like.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir together. Give it a taste test and add a pinch more salt or lime juice if needed.
- Serve the guacamole with tortilla chips.
Lisa’s Tips
- Look for large avocados for this recipe. If you can only find small avocados, feel free to add one more!
- Definitely use fresh limes rather than lime juice in a bottle. The flavor difference is worth it.
- Make sure to read my tips above for keeping leftover guacamole green and fresh. It’s truly amazing! And I store the leftover guacamole in these food storage containers.
Nutrition
Recipe originally posted August 2014, but updated to include new photos and video May 2018 and again today.
This is indeed best guacamole! Fresh, delicious, and super easy, tailor it the way you want as well. I added more jalepeno, garlic and cilantro soo good! *Chefs kiss* this is a winner.
So delicious!
gave it a 1 star rating because it contains Cilantro…. Nothing ever has “the best” and ” cilantro” in the same sentence.. You can say individual tastes may vary, but it’s a scientific fact that 75-80% of people hate Cilantro… That’s simply why 95% of North American restaurants DOESN’T USE IT….
You do realize you can just omit the cilantro and not write a nasty review because you PERSONALLY don’t like it, right? Go have the day you deserve, buddy!
Dear Mark. Not sure if you have been in a restaurant that serves quality guacamole but in North America most of them do use it. You may need to check your scientific facts and quit hanging out at B.K. & McD’s.
Mark, its NOT a fact that 75-80% of people “hate” cilantro…..you have your numbers backwards. It is true though that a minority of folks cannot tolerate cilantro. Luckily, Im in the majority. I couldnt eat guacamole without cilantro.
I gave the recipe 5 STARS; only 4 showed when published. It is the BEST GUACAMOLE I’ve ever made Thanks so much!
So happy you loved the guac!
BEST GUACAMOLE I ever made & the simplest!
Simply outstanding with avocados from my tree!
So lucky that you have fresh avocados in your backyard!
First time I have EVER commented on a recipe.. also, the first I have EVER made guacamole!! WOW!! Absolutely amazing!!!
Thanks for leaving a review Stephanie! Glad you enjoyed this guacamole recipe :)
thanks so much for a simple but success dish of guacamole– may more to come – also ty for the freshness hacks
Delicious. Even my 3 year old agreed that it was good!
Just wondering if the calories/nutrition info is for the entire batch or for a 2 TBSP serving?
The nutritional information will always be per serving.
I’ve made this a couple times and love it but i leave out the cilantro. Just don’t like it. Mine doesn’t seem to be as thick as yours looks for some reason.
My guess is that you used tomatoes that bring in too much juice. I left out the juice (and seeds) and used only the flesh.
Delicious!!! Simple with just few ingredients but it tastes just like it did when vacation in Mexico. Perfect!
So glad you enjoy the recipe!
Made this today and omg so delicious!!!! I always add a little more cilantro to mine because I’m addicted to it 😁 thanks for sharing!
More cilantro is always welcome in guacamole!
This guac is excellent! Thank you for the tips on how to keep it fresh. I have stretchy reusable silicone bowl covers and placed one upside down over the guac – similar to how one would use plastic wrap. I’m excited to see how it works!
Let us know how it turns out!
Great recipe…but I omitted the jalapenos & cilantro. Sorry, just cannot tolerate those items. I’m one of those that cilantro tastes like soap to me.I substituted a more mild parsley & a more mild pepper. Delicious 😋.
Soo delicious! It’s just for me, so I cut it in half and it was so good!
Excellent recipe! I scaled it up because I used more avocados than it called for, and the guac was delicious as intended.
Great recipe even better tips!!!
Came out real good I didn’t have a real lime so I did use lime juice in a bottle and it did taste good but next time I will use a fresh lime !!
Tried this for the first time for NYE appetizer; delicious! Also easy, and as snack/appetizer options go, comparatively healthful. I went very slightly light on the tomatoes and slightly heavy on the onions and garlic, but the tweaks were minimal. Family loved it – to the point where the storage tip wasn’t relevant!
Thanks for sharing this recipe – it’s my new go-to for guacamole.
Glad this guacamole recipe was a hit for NYE Elizabeth!
Thank you, this is fantastic!
Have made this several times and it is perfect every time! Followed the recipe and wouldn’t change anything!!
Vaccume pack left over guacamole to prevent oxidation and keeping it fresh.
Huge hit at our NYE party today!
Yay! Love to hear that!
This recipe is perfect! I couldn’t stop eating.
So glad you loved this guacamole recipe!
I’m 79 years old and love learning more from you!!
Great recipe and hack
Tried this recipe for the first time and I’d highly recommend. Super easy recipe and really delicious!!!
Glad you found this guacamole recipe delish!
excellent, I did not have lime so used lemon.
Glad you enjoyed this guacamole recipe Grace!
So perfect, nothing else was needed!!
Will keep this recipe for future use.
Yay! Glad you loved this guacamole recipe Charlotte :)
Question: can you use canned diced tomatoes if you drain them really well?
That should be okay.
This truly is the best guac I’ve ever made! My family raved about it over Thanksgiving break and none of us could stop eating it. Perfect amount of salt just put it over the top. This is a keeper and super simple. I’m never buying store bought or making a different guacamole recipe again. Thank you, thank you!
Glad you and your family are loving this guacamole recipe Abby!
Recipe is great BUT water added to prevent turning brown did not work for me! Very frustrated! Guacamole is now like soup even after straining. I added only enough water to cover guacamole. I’ve had success covering with plastic wrap in the past and worked fine.
great…..simple to prepare and great tasting
I’ve been looking for a great recipe for guac. I struck gold! This recipe is awesome.
I love this recipe so much, I made a 3x batch and gave some of it away. Everyone loves it!
Happy to hear everyone is loving this recipe!
I just made this recipe! So yummy! I love it! 😍
So happy you loved the guac Kim!
My guacamole knowledge is very limited – I’ve only really understood that it’s something delicious made from mashed avocados. Also, in the past, I’ve had guacamole with both red wine vinegar and lemon juice as the acid in the dish instead of lime, and while both of those acids work, I’m completely enamored with the magic a little bit of fresh lime juice can do – the lime, specifically, adds particular and unique brightness, and a very beautiful balance to the other ingredients – definitely the most delicious guacamole I’ve had, and I was SO delighted at how easy it is to make. Thank you so much for sharing this – I can’t wait to put my guacamole on absolutely everything.
Awesome first time I made my own guacamole. It’s delicious!! and easy
I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Great authentic recipe thank u
Easy and Delicious! The best!
I just made this a few minutes ago. I was going to bring it to a friend’s house tonight but ate it instead. I put it on a homemade keto-friendly tortilla! So good!!
I made this for a potluck and I barely got any, it was so popular! Definitely saving this!
Glad this guacamole was a hit Barbara!
This is the best guacamole I’ve had in my life. The ingredients are incredible and you have to have all of it in there. Amazing and love sharing food with friends and family. This is always a hit!! Thank you for the recipe.
Made it and I was a success at dinner time with my family. THANKS
Best guacamole ever!
This is my new go to Guac recipe! It’s so delicious!!
BEST Guacamole I’ve ever made. My “go to” recipe from here on
This is very delicious! I made it with fresh tomatoes, jalapeños and onions from our garden. Definitely will be making this again!
Glad you enjoyed this guacamole recipe Carie!
Looks awesome will be making soon
This recipe is delicious! What is the serving size of the 4 servings? Thank you!
Depending on how big your avocados are, I would say between 3/4 to 1 cup.
Made the guacamole, the best l have ever had.😀
Thank you so very much
Glad you enjoyed this guacamole recipe Maureen!
i truly enjoyed making this guacamole dip! and the storage tip was perfect..finely a way to brown proof my guacamole! Many Thanks
Great Recipe!, I’ve made it 3 times in 5 days. It’s also a Great Hit with the Family!