Simple Guacamole is full of authentic flavor. This easy to make recipe for guacamole has only six ingredients and a fresh, clean taste.
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I don't think there is anything quite like the flavorful and clean taste of freshly made guacamole. With a few crisp and salty tortilla chips, it is a perfect appetizer that not only pairs with classic margaritas, but also with crisp white wines and cold Corona beers.
The simplest guacamole recipes contain just 3 ingredients: avocado, lime juice, and salt. But just a few aromatics like cilantro, onion, and garlic elevate guac to savory heights.
This recipe easily makes two to three servings. As a snack, I would say it is two servings and as an appetizer I would estimate it to be 3 servings.
What I love the most about this recipe, is it is easily scaled by simply doubling or tripling the quantities without the worry that the aromatic flavor makers will become overwhelming.
So, let's make some guac!
Ingredients
Here are the six ingredients for this simple guacamole recipe:
Hass Avocados. This California variety of avocado has a rich buttery flavor with a nuttiness that makes it unforgettable. The texture is never stringy or fibrous. It is the easiest avocado to know when it is ripe since the skin changes color from green to black and green with purple tones. As you hold it in your hand the avocado gives a little.
Limes. Essential to turn avocados into guacamole. The flavor of the lime juice with its bright acidity is key. Fresh is best, but choose bottled lime juice over buying a fresh lemon as a substitute.
Salt. Is there any dish that doesn't benefit from salt? I use ordinary table salt, specifically Morton's. Their salt is consistent in the size of the grain, so I know I'm using the right amount. But if you want to use a different salt, Morton's has an exceptional salt conversion chart. Start with using a smaller amount, like a ¼ of a teaspoon, and then taste and add more if needed. Generally ½ teaspoon is a good amount for fine grain salts.
Onion. Any onion variety will add savory notes. See the notes below on which onion is the best to use.
Garlic. You only need one garlic clove to make this guac go from Yum! to Wow!
Cilantro. Optional. Poor cilantro is one ingredient that has a love-hate following. Some people absolutely love cilantro and smell and taste soft herbal and flowery notes. Other people absolutely hate it and say it tastes like soap. I personally love cilantro and add it to many of my Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.
Which Type of Onion Should I Use?
Not all onions taste exactly the same. Some onions are mild and sweet, and others are sharper and more piquant. I personally like red onions for this recipe, but you might like a milder flavor. Here are the characteristics of red, yellow, and green onions to help you decide which one you might like best:
- Red Onion - sharp and piquant. This onion will be the most aromatic of the three listed here.
- Yellow Onion - milder than a red and may be "sweet" depending on where they are farmed. The best choices are from Maui and Georgia.
- Green Onion - the mildest onion flavor of these three onions.
Instructions
Halve and pit each avocado by running a knife down through each avocado, starting at the stem end until you reach the pit. Then continue to cut around the pit until you reach the other side.
Twist apart the two halves of the avocado and remove the pit. Using a spoon, scoop the avocado into a small bowl.
Add the salt, minced garlic, minced onions, chopped fresh cilantro, and lime juice.
Mix the guacamole with a fork to break up the avocado into a mixture of smoother and chunkier pieces of avocado. For a smoother texture use the fork to mash the avocado well.
Although you could serve the guacamole immediately, the flavors of the ingredients will improve with some time. So, I like to make guacamole at 1 hour before I want to serve it.
How to Keep Guacamole from Turning Brown
Cut avocados and guacamole will begin to brown immediately, when they are exposed to air. Over the years I've heard and tried many tips to keep guac from browning. Saving the avocado seed and putting it in the center of the guac does not work. Nor do I recommend simply pouring a thin layer of water on top of the guac. These two methods just don't work.
What does work is smoothing the top of the guacamole with a spoon and then covering the surface of the guac with plastic wrap. You must press the plastic wrap onto the entire exposed surface of the guacamole to keep it fresh and green looking.
How to Make Guacamole for a Crowd
Are you having a party and need a lot of fresh guacamole? Just follow these simple steps to make it easy and perfect every time!
- Prep and measure everything except the avocados in advance. Mince the onions and the garlic. Squeeze the lime juice. Chop the cilantro.
- In a glass bowl add everything except the cilantro and the avocados: add the minced onions, minced garlic, lime juice, and salt. Stir well, cover tightly, and refrigerate these flavor makers until an hour before the party.
- One hour before the party, pit, peel, and mash the avocados. A potato masher will make it easier to mash the avocados. Stir in those lovely refrigerated flavor makers and add the chopped cilantro. One hour later the guac is ready!
Don't wait for Cinco de Mayo to try this delicious guac. You can make any day a fiesta, when you serve this easy guacamole to family and friends.
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📖 Recipe
Simple Guacamole
Ingredients
- 2 Ripe Hass Avocados
- 1 Garlic Clove, Peeled and Minced
- 2 Tablespoons Minced Red, Yellow, or Green Onion
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro, Finely Chopped
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Halve and pit each avocado by running a knife down through each avocado, starting at the stem end until you reach the pit. Then continue to cut around the pit until you reach the other side.
- Twist apart the two halves of the avocado and remove the pit. Using a spoon, scoop the avocado into a small bowl.
- Add the minced garlic, chopped green onions, chopped fresh cilantro, salt, and lime juice.
- Mix the guacamole with a fork to break up the avocado into a mixture of smoother and chunkier pieces of avocado. For a smoother texture use the fork to mash the avocado well.
- For the best flavor refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. To prevent the guacamole from turning brown, cover the guacamole with plastic wrap; being sure the plastic wrap comes in full contact with the guacamole.
- When ready to serve transfer the guacamole to a small serving bowl and serve with crisp tortilla chips.
Recipe Notes
- Red Onion - sharp and piquant. This onion will be the most aromatic of the three listed here.
- Yellow Onion - milder than a red and may be "sweet" depending on where they are farmed. The best choices are from Maui and Georgia.
- Green Onion - the mildest onion flavor of these three onions.
Nutrition Per Serving
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