This easy guacamole recipe came from a dear Mexican friend, and I’ve made it hundreds of times since. No mayo, no sour cream, and no chopping a pile of onions and jalapeños. My secret is a shake of seasoning salt. Only have one avocado? I’ll show you a small batch too!
In this recipe, you’ll:
- Make fresh guacamole in about 5 minutes with no mayo or sour cream.
- Learn the one pantry ingredient that seasons it all.
- Keep it green longer, plus a one-avocado small batch.
The Guac a Dear Mexican Friend Taught Me
Growing up in Southern California, guacamole was always the highlight of Mexican night. Topping tacos and tostadas, or just scooped up with a chip. A dear Mexican friend taught me this version years ago. It’s the one I’ve made for family and friends ever since.
My one twist is seasoning salt. When I’m making Mexican, I don’t want to be chopping jalapeños, onions, and garlic. A shake of seasoning salt, a little garlic powder, a spoonful of salsa, and a squeeze of lime, and it’s chips and guac time!
Making it a Mexican night? Try my Blender Salsa, Cilantro Lime Rice or Chicken Enchiladas.
Why you’ll love this Guacamole
- Simple: A few pantry spices and a spoonful of salsa do all the work.
- Fresh: Ripe avocado is the star.
- Healthier: No sour cream or mayo. Just avocado, lime, and a few spices.
- Quick: Ready in about 5 minutes.
Homemade Guacamole Recipe Ingredients
- Ripe Hass Avocados: Ripe but still firm. It should give just a little when you press it.
- Lawry’s Seasoning Salt: My secret ingredient. Any seasoning salt works.
- Garlic powder: Easier than mincing fresh garlic. Add a dash of onion powder too, if you like.
- Tomatoes: I love chunky, fresh tomatoes in my guac.
- Salsa: A spoonful adds a little spice and texture. Make your own blender salsa.
- Lime: A must for zing, plus aids in keeping it from turning brown
- Salt: Taste before adding, you may not need it. I use kosher salt.
- Cilantro: Add to taste, or skip it for guacamole without cilantro.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Traditional Guacamole (Video)
How to Make a Basic Guacamole Recipe
Using a sharp knife, slice through the avocado to the pit all the way around, then use a spoon to scoop out the avocado flesh. Repeat with the second avocado.
In a medium bowl, using a fork, gently mash for more chunky guacamole, you will continue mixing as you add the various ingredients, which will naturally smooth it out, we like ours a little chunky. Add 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite salsa.
Toss in ¼ to ½ teaspoon garlic powder, a few shakes of Lawry’s Seasoning Salt (not too much, as you can always add more salt, but you can’t remove it).
Toss in fresh, chopped tomatoes (if desired), squeeze in half a lime, then taste. Adding a little more salt, lime or salsa if desired. Finally, stir in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chopped cilantro, if desired.
Storage Tips
I typically make mine according to our needs and rarely have any leftovers. It will last 1-3 days in the fridge in an airtight container, but really, can you resist it?
How to Keep Guacamole from Turning Brown
To keep your guacamole fresh and green, always add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice. The citrus adds bright flavor and helps slow oxidation. That’s the browning that happens when avocado meets air.
You can press the avocado pits into the guac, but just know it only helps in the small area they touch. It’s not a reliable way to keep the whole bowl green.
If you’re storing it, smooth the guacamole into a flat, even layer. Then press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface. This keeps air out and helps maintain that bright green color.
And if it still browns a bit? No worries! That top layer won’t hurt you. Just skim it off, or stir it in. Underneath, the guac is still perfectly good.
Restaurant Tricks to Keep Guac Green
Ever wonder how places like Chipotle or Qdoba keep their big batches of guacamole looking fresh? Here’s what many restaurants do:
- Smooth the guacamole into a flat layer.
- Add a thin layer of water or citrus juice on top to act as a natural air barrier.
- Press plastic wrap directly on the surface or seal the container tightly to keep air out.
These steps help your guac stay green longer, even if you’re making it ahead for a party or storing leftovers.
Variations for Basic Guacamole Recipe
Make it yours! That’s our motto at The Fresh Cooky. If you don’t like an ingredient, leave it out; if you love another, add it in! Here are a few suggestions:
- Add 1-2 tablespoons chopped or minced red onion
- Add half to one small seeded and chopped jalapeño pepper, serrano pepper or a splash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Instead of a blender salsa, stir in some fresh pico de Gallo.
- Add ¼ – ½ teaspoon of ground cumin.
Simple guacamole recipe with one avocado (Small Batch)
- 1 ripe avocado
- ¼ teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoning Salt (or to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1–2 teaspoons fresh salsa
- ½ tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon diced Roma tomato (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Kosher salt, to taste
FAQs for Easy Guacamole Recipe
Most likely, the avocados are underripe. If they are really firm, they need to ripen more before making guacamole.
The name comes from Classical Nahuatl āhuacamōlli [aːwakaˈmoːlːi], which literally translates to ‘avocado sauce’, from āhuacatl [aːˈwakat͡ɬ] ‘avocado’ + mōlli [ˈmoːlːi] ‘sauce’ (Source)
Avocados do not ripen on the tree; they ripen or “soften” after they have been harvested. To speed up the avocado ripening process we recommend placing unripe avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana for two to three days until they are ripe. We do not recommend any other method of ripening. (Source)
Yes, it multiplies easily. Be careful when doubling the salt and your lime juice though, go easy at first and then add to taste.
If you want some nice large chunks of avocado, then hold out ½ to a full avocado, mix all the ingredients with 1st avocado. Chop second avocado with a couple of knives and gently fold into the guacamole mixture.
More great Mexican recipes:
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Video
Ingredients
- 3 medium avocados ripe, but firm, gives slightly under a tiny bit of pressure, if you remove the stem, it should be bright green. Halved, scooped and pitted. Or two large.
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt I use Lawry's, use more or less to taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 medium Roma tomato optional for chunky flavor and texture
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh salsa optional, texture and definitely flavor!
- ½ medium lime fresh squeezed
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped fine
- Kosher Salt to taste
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, slice through the avocado to the pit all the way around, then scoop out the avocado flesh using a spoon, repeat with second avocado. Place avocado flesh into a medium bowl.3 medium avocados
- Mash slightly using a fork for more chunky guacamole, you will continue mixing as you add the various ingredients, which will natural smooth it out, we like ours a little chunky.
- Toss in ¼ – ½ teaspoon garlic powder, a few shakes of Lawry’s Seasoning salt (not too much, you can always add more salt, you can’t remove it) and a tablespoon or two of your favorite salsa.½ teaspoon seasoning salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh salsa
- Add in fresh, chopped tomatoes (if desired), squeeze in half a lime, then taste. Adding a little more salt, lime or salsa if desired. Finally, stir in 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve immediatly with your favorite tortilla chips and salsa!1 medium Roma tomato , ½ medium lime , 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, Kosher Salt to taste
Notes
Nutrition
Debbie
I never had guacamole growing up, so the first time I had it was at a Bible study group as a young adult (I’m old now! LOL) but what I’ve discovered is I liked her simple version the best and that’s how I make mine. All I do is smash the avocado, stir in diced onions, chopped tomatoes and to make it extra creamy, stir in sour cream. That’s it! Simple and delicious!
Sounds very similar to mine Debbie, except I don’t put in sour cream or onions! Yours sounds wonderful too!
The guac was AH MAzing!!
BEST GUAC I have ever made!
Madi
Guacamole is the best! I am so excited to try your version!
Thanks Madi! I think you will love it!
Julie
I had to give this recipe a try because it was different than my own and sounded delicious. We just loved the seasoned salt and salsa additions. It made such a flavorful difference. This is now my new go-too guac!
Debi
This guacamole is so easy to make & so perfect for everything from tacos to just eating with chips! I do leave the lime out of mine, though. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Thanks Debi!! Glad you liked it!