This simple guacamole recipe is the one I reach for again and again. It’s chunky, flavorful, and the perfect sidekick for chips, tacos, and everything in between.
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Why This Recipe Works
This simple guacamole recipe is one I make on repeat—it’s quick, fresh, and always a hit! Here’s why this recipe works:
- Perfectly Chunky Texture: Mashing the avocados by hand keeps things rustic and satisfying—none of that overly smooth store-bought stuff.
- Bright, Fresh Flavor: Lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeño give it that classic zippy flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more. It’s just as delicious as my Easy Artichoke Dip.
- Balanced and Customizable: I love how easy it is to adjust the salt, lime, or heat level depending on the crowd (or my mood!).
- Ready in 10 Minutes: It comes together fast with just a handful of fresh ingredients—no fancy tools or techniques needed.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. I ❤️ hearing from you!
Ingredients
- Avocados: These are the star of our recipe. They add a creamy texture and a rich, buttery flavor.
- Red Onion: The diced red onion adds a sharp, pungency that cuts through the richness of the avocodos.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice not only adds a tangy kick, but also helps to keep the avocodos from browning.
- Jalapeño Pepper: Diced jalapeño pepper adds a spicy kick that can be adjusted to your preference.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Instructions
- Prep the Avocados: Cut, pit, and scoop the avocados into a bowl. Smash with a fork, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Add the Mix-Ins: Stir in the red onion, tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and kosher salt.
- Mix and Taste: Mix until just combined. Taste and adjust with more salt or lime juice as needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately with extra cilantro on top. (Tip: Leave a pit in the bowl to help prevent browning.)
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are some of my favorite flavor substitutions and variations:
- Citrus: I usually go with lime juice, but lemon juice works in a pinch and adds a slightly different brightness.
- Heat Level: I love the mild heat of jalapeño, but for more spice, use serrano or habanero peppers. For a no-heat version, skip the peppers entirely or use a pinch of chili powder.
- Herbs: Cilantro adds that signature guacamole flavor, but if you’re not a fan, try fresh parsley instead for a more subtle flavor.
What to Serve with Simple Guacamole
Main Dishes
- This simple guacamole adds a creamy, zesty touch to just about any dish. We love it with grilled steak tacos, Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, or Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos.
- It’s also a must-have with sheet pan fajitas or burrito bowls layered with rice, beans, and protein.
Other Sides
- Guacamole is always a crowd-pleaser when served with crunchy tortilla chips, but we also like pairing it with elote-style Mexican Street Corn Salad, fresh Avocado Mango Salsa, or roasted plantains.
- It’s a great companion to quesadillas, cheesy bean dip, or a simple Tomato and Onion Salad on hot summer days.
FAQs
For this simple guacamole recipe, it’s best to use ripe Hass avocados. They are creamy, flavorful, and have the perfect texture for mashing.
There are a few tricks to keep your guacamole from browning. In this recipe, we leave one of the avocado pits in the guacamole while it’s being served. This helps to prevent oxidation and keep it looking fresh. Also, a generous amount of lime juice not only adds flavor but also slows down the browning process.
Yes, you can make this simple guacamole recipe a few hours ahead of time. Just make sure to press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole to prevent air from reaching it. This will help maintain its green color and keep it fresh.
Guacamole is best enjoyed fresh but if you have leftovers, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Be sure to press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole to prevent air from reaching it and causing browning.
More Dip Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Caramelized Onion Dip – This sensationally creamy Caramelized Onion Dip is the ultimate chip dip.
- Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip – This Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip is a twist on a classic that will effortlessly elevate your appetizer game.
- Cottage Cheese Dip – This Cottage Cheese Dip is rich, creamy, and ultra-smooth! It features protein-packed cottage cheese infused with fresh herbs and buttery avocado.
- Easy Miso Cream Cheese Dip – This 5-minute Easy Miso Cream Cheese Dip is a healthy party appetizer or tangy bagel spread. All you need are 2 ingredients and 1 bowl!
If you try this Simple Guacamole recipe, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!
Simple Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 avocados, ripe
- ⅓ cup red onion, diced
- 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, diced
- ⅓ cup cilantro, finely chopped, plus more for serving
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
Instructions
- Smash the avocados with a fork in a bowl but keep it chunky. (Tip: To prevent the guacamole from browning, leave one of the pits.)
- Add the chopped red onion, tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, grated garlic kosher salt and lime juice.
- Mix the ingredients until combined. Taste for salt and adjust to your liking, add any additional salt or lime.
Notes
- Always use ripe avocados for your guacamole. They should be slightly soft to the touch, but not mushy.
- To prevent your guacamole from turning brown, leave one of the avocado pits in the mixture. This can help it stay fresh and green for a little longer.
- When dicing your red onion, tomato, and jalapeño, try to keep the pieces similar in size. This will ensure that you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
- Don’t forget to season your guacamole well with kosher salt. Avocados can handle quite a bit of salt, so don’t be afraid to add more if needed.
- To make your guacamole less spicy, you can remove the seeds and membrane from the jalapeño before dicing and adding it to the mix.
- This recipe is part of my Sauces and Dip Recipes Collection.
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