This quick & easy guacamole recipe is made with a handful of healthy ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes! This simple guacamole dip is our favorite appetizer and we always make it on tacos nights! Watch the video to learn how to make this guacamole recipe!
Guacamole is the reason I eat tacos (like these chicken tacos and these sweet potato tacos).
Or any type of Mexican food really. When I say I'm craving tacos, what I'm really communicating is, "Tonight I want to eat my weight in guacamole" (with some homemade salsa on the side for good measure).
I've been making this easy guacamole recipe for as long as I can remember. It is made with a handful of healthy ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes! This simple guacamole dip is our favorite appetizer and we always make it on taco nights!
Easy Guacamole Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
As always I recommend making the recipe as written....because I wouldn't share it with you if I didn't think it was the best of the best! However, there are some yummy substitutions that are equally delicious.
- Spices: If you notice, I opt for powdered spices in my guacamole (garlic powder, onion powder, etc). If you prefer the real thing (minced garlic, real onion) by all means go for it!
- Garlic powder: use minced garlic instead.
- Onion powder: use finely chopped red onion (about ½ cup) in place of onion powder.
- Tomatoes: If you're a raw mater-hater, then you can leave out the tomatoes. I think they add something special to this Homemade Guacamole, but they are easily omitted without effecting the taste in the slightest!
How to make guacamole
When I give this the title Easy Guacamole, I mean it. It only takes 5 minutes to whip up this guacamole recipe. However, it is preferable to let the mixture sit for a little while (15-30 minutes) so the flavors have a chance to blend.
But, to be honest, I usually just dive right in and throw flavor blending to the wind (because when it comes to guacamole I have zero self-control or patience)! SO let's dive into how to make guacamole - and don't forget to watch the video.
Mash the avocados
First, use a fork or potato masher to carefully mash the avocados. Leave it a little chunkier than you'd like the final product to be, because it will get mashed more later on in the process as other ingredients are added.
Add lime juice & spices
Next mix in the lime juice and spices and stir until evenly distributed.
Add tomato, cilantro & onion
Next, add in the tomato, cilantro and onion (if you're using onion and not onion powder)! Stir very gently until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Let it set in the refrigerator
Cover the guacamole and let it set for 15-30 minutes, if desired. You can also make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator completely covered with plastic wrap.
Serve
Serve this guacamole with your favorite chips or veggies as an appetizer, or on the side of your favorite taco recipe!
Serving suggestions:
Here are some yummy recipes that can be made and served with this easy guacamole recipe:
- These sweet potato tacos are the BEST!
- Chicken enchiladas are one of my family's favorite meals, and guacamole is a must!
- This is our favorite easy homemade salsa recipe! It's made in 5 minutes in the blender!
- Refried black beans are easy to make and are a great vegetarian option for taco nights!
- Crockpot chicken tacos are easy and delicious!
- Serve it with this best nachos recipe - yum!
Store
Store this homemade guacamole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I discuss how to prevent browning in the FAQ section below. I don't recommend freezing this recipe.
FAQS about this Guacamole Recipe
Nobody likes brown avocados, right?! So, if you choose to make this Easy Homemade Guacamole in advance, or have leftovers, here are a few tips to help prevent browning:
First, you need to understand why avocados turn brown:
Do you remember that I was a chemistry teacher in my life before kids?! Well, it's true! I am a total science nerd...which comes in handy in the kitchen!
Avocados turn brown because they contain an enzyme that causes the fatty acids in them to break down when exposed to oxygen. The broken-down fats become brown in color. There are two ways to keep this from occurring...
by preventing oxygen from reaching the avocado and
slowing down enzyme function.
Here are some ways to accomplish these goals:
1) Store in an airtight container covered in plastic wrap:
Remember, the less oxygen that hits the guacamole, the better. So if you store it in an airtight container without extra room, there will be less places oxygen can reach the guacamole to cause browning.
Also, try covering it with plastic wrap before putting the lid on. Press the plastic wrap on top of the guacamole to remove air bubbles and then put the lid on the container.
2) Use lime juice:
Spritz some extra lime juice on the top layer before covering the guacamole in plastic wrap. Acidic conditions caused by lime (or lemon) juice drastically slows down the enzymes that cause browning. So making sure any areas of the guacamole that are exposed to oxygen are coated in lime juice before storing will help prevent browning!
3) Keep it cold:
Enzymes work faster in warmer conditions (to a certain point), so chilling your guacamole recipe in the refrigerator is a great way to slow down the browning process too!
If chips aren't your thing, try fresh veggies! I love carrots, cucumbers, and raw broccoli to name a few.
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Quick & Easy Guacamole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Medium Avocados
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ - 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1-2 TBS lime juice
- 2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 small tomatoes deseeded and diced
Instructions
- Cut open avocados lengthwise, remove the pit, and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Use a potato masher or fork and gently mash the avocado, leaving it a little bit chunky at this point.
- Add cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, ½ tsp salt, pepper and 1 TBS lime juice.
- If you would like your guacamole smoother, use a fork or your potato masher to mix in the spices as you mash the mixture. If you like your guacamole a little chunkier, use a rubber spatula to stir in the spices until well combined!
- Add cilantro and tomatoes and stir until combined.
- Taste and add extra salt or lime juice if needed!
- Let sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before Serving.
- You may place it in the fridge if making more than 30 minutes ahead of time. I recommend plopping a pit in the middle, adding a splash of lime juice to the top layer, and covering it very tightly with plastic wrap (so no air gets to the guacamole) in order to prevent browning.
- Serve at room temperature or cold, whichever you prefer!
Video
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Spices: If you notice, I opt for powdered spices in my guacamole (garlic powder, onion powder, etc). If you prefer the real thing (minced garlic, real onion) here's what I suggest:
- Garlic powder: use minced garlic.
- Onion powder: use finely chopped red onion (about ½ cup) in place of onion powder.
- Tomatoes: If you're a raw mater-hater, then you can leave out the tomatoes. I think they add something special to this Easy Homemade Guacamole, but they are easily omitted without effecting the taste in the slightest!
How to store guacamole
Store in an airtight container wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. Squeeze a little lime juice on the surface before storing to prevent browning.Nutrition
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Alan Ridgeway
This was a very good recipe! I substituted/added a few ingredients. I added 1 diced Anaheim pepper, 4 little green onions, turmeric powder, and 1 small habanero pepper. I sat it down and we started testing it out. I made the full recipe and added so made a good bit. It never made it to the fridge. 😳😁 WOW, it was great.
Gina
Really good. Great looking family...lucky!
Jen
Just made this. OMGLOB!!! I’ve never been a guacamole person but this is utterly amazing. The spices add such a unique flavor. Will make again!
Ronda Gregory
This is THE BEST guacamole I’ve ever made ...or TASTED!!! Wow!! Thank you!!! And that suggestion about the cling wrap on top of it=WORKS!!😁👋
Charlene Snead
You can keep a pit from 1 avocado in the guacamole too--keeps it from browning!