How do you make a super simple guacamole? This is not only simple, but healthy, and so easy. Whether you are making it for Cinco de Mayo or Taco Tuesday or just because you have a craving, it might become your favorite recipe too.
Growing up in Southern California I have a deep love for authentic Mexican food and a favorite part for me has always been the guac on top! Taught by a dear Hispanic friend, this has been one I’ve made for years.
If you love Mexican food as much as I do, you will enjoy these family and reader favorites: Cheesy Enchiladas, Spanish Mexican Rice, and Barbacoa Street Tacos.
My favorite recipe for healthy Guacamole
I felt it was high time I gave you my super simple guacamole recipe, this is a throw together kind of recipe, an excuse to grab some chips and dip in to do a “taste test”.
Why you’ll love this Guacamole
- SIMPLE | In fact it’s so simple it’s super simple guacamole! When I am making Mexican I don’t want to be chopping jalepeno, onions, garlic and all. I want to throw in a dash of this and that, splash of lime and eureka, it’s chips and guac time!
- FRESH | The bright, nutty and delicious flavor of the healthy avocado shines through!
- HEALTHY | No sour cream, just a few herbs and spices is what makes this so delicious!
- QUICK | This comes together in a matter of minutes!
This easy recipe is so simple, our families tried and true recipe, if I have made it once, I have made it hundreds of times.
What you’ll need for Authentic Guacamole
Simple, real, whole food ingredients here, nothing fancy and probably other than a couple of ripe avocados, you might have everything in your pantry.
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- AVOCADOS | Ripe, but firm, gives slightly under a tiny bit of pressure.
- LAWRY’S SEASONING SALT | My secret ingredient, use any seasoning salt.
- GARLIC POWDER | A simple way to add great flavor, optional add a little dash or two of onion powder.
- TOMATOES | I love chunky, fresh tomatoes in my chips and gauc.
- SALSA | Adds a little spice, texture and definitely flavor!
- LIME | A must for zing, plus aids in keeping it from turning brown
- KOSHER SALT | Taste before adding, you may not need it.
- CILANTRO | to taste, omit for guacamole without cilantro.
How to make Quick Guacamole
Watch the simple video for how to make this easy, super simple guacamole. But I will take you step by step below:
- 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.
- Mash slightly 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. Add 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite salsa.
- 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).
- 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 fresh chopped cilantro, if desired.
Storing Homemade Guacamole
I typically make mine according to our needs and rarely have any leftover. It will last 1-3 days in the fridge, but really, can you resist it. Read below for tips on storing healthy guacamole.
How to Keep Guacamole from Turning Brown
Kathleen’s Tips | Add lime or lemon juice to your guacamole, not only does the citrus add a lovely zest and zing to the dip, but it provides a barrier to the natural oxidation that happens when avocados are exposed to air.
If storing, smooth the guac as flat as possible, then place a piece of plastic wrap, directly on the surface. This will help slow the oxidation process.
If your guac develops a brown layer, it will not hurt you, either skim it off or just stir it in, you will have bright green guac once again.
RESTAURANT TIPS
So how about those vats of guacamole at Chipotle or Qdoba? After doing a bit of research here is what restaurants do to reduce the brown in their guac.
- Smooth the guacamole into a flat layer.
- Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form an air barrier.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap onto the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or place in a sealed container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most likely the avocados are under-ripe, 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.
Healthy Guacamole is best served immediately, serve with your favorite chips, salsa and queso for the trifecta of Mexican appetizers.
More great Mexican recipes:
- Delicious and easy homemade salsa
- Healthy Salsa Chicken (aka Crack Chicken)
- Creamy White Queso
- Chile Relleno Casserole
- Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
- Copycat Grilled Chipotle Chicken
- Black Bean and Sausage Soup
- Easy Tortilla Soup
- Healthy Hibiscus Margarita
- Frozen Margaritas | only 4 ingredients!
- Hibiscus Mojitos
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2-3 small-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.
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt | I use Lawry's more or less to taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Roma tomato | diced small --optional
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh salsa | Adds a little spice texture and definitely flavor!
- ½ fresh lime juice | squeezed
- Kosher Salt to taste |
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
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.
- Mash slightly 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.
- 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!
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Notes
- Add lime or lemon juice to your guacamole, not only does the citrus add a lovely zest and zing to the dip, but it provides a barrier to the natural oxidation that happens when avocados are exposed to air.
- If storing, smooth the guac as flat as possible, then place a piece of plastic wrap, directly on the surface. This will help slow the oxidation process.
- If your guac develops a brown layer, it will not hurt you, either skim it off or just stir it in, you will have bright green guac once again.
- Smooth the guacamole into a flat layer.
- Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form an air barrier.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap onto the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or place in a sealed container.
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!