Best Ever Guacamole

Name: Best Ever Guacamole (Fresh, Easy & Authentic)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
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

by Lisa Bryan

952 Comments

Updated Mar 25, 2023

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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!

Guacamole in a bowl with a chip dipping in.

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.

Guacamole recipe ingredients in a bowl ready to be mixed.

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.

A bowl of fresh, authentic guacamole next to tortilla chips.

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?

A scoop of guacamole on a tortilla chip.

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!

Guacamole recipe in a bowl next to tortilla chips.

Best Ever Guacamole (Fresh, Easy & Authentic)

4.96 from 450 votes

Prep: 10

Total: 10

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

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Description

A tried and true guacamole recipe that's easy to make, uses fresh ingredients and is loaded with flavor. It's the best guacamole dip hands down. Watch the video above to see how quickly it comes together!

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

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: authentic guacamole, easy guacamole, Guacamole, Guacamole Recipe, How to make guacamole

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Recipe originally posted August 2014, but updated to include new photos and video May 2018 and again today.