• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Broke Bank Vegan
  • About Us
  • Recipes
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Dips, Dressings, & Spreads

    How to Make Guacamole

    Published: Jun 7, 2021 · Updated: Dec 22, 2021 by Mitch and Justine · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to recipe
    Homemade Guacamole

    Once you learn how to make guacamole, you'll never want to buy it from the store again!

    Creamy Haas avocados, fresh limes, spicy jalapeños, and crunchy vegetables come together to create this unbelievably tasty, yet super easy recipe.

    Guacamole and Tortilla Chips
    Guacamole and tortilla chips go together like PB & J
    Table of Contents
    • 📖 About
    • 🍲 Key ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🌡️ Storage
    • 💭 Tips & variations
    • 🍴 Tasting notes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • ♻️ Similar recipes
    • 💬 FAQ

    📖 About

    If you've never heard of guacamole before, you've most likely been living under a rock. Seriously though, this dip is a global sensation.

    Whether you're at a Superbowl Sunday party or a restaurant in Mexico, guacamole is guaranteed to make an appearance.

    What is guacamole?

    Put simply, guacamole is mashed-up avocados that can be mixed with other ingredients like tomatoes, onions, chiles, and lime. The avocados create an ultra-creamy base, while the veggies provide texture and additional flavors.

    History

    The name guacamole stems from the Nahuatl word, āhuacamolli, meaning "avocado sauce" in English.

    In the early days of the Aztecs, guacamole was made purely of mashed avocado. They would spread this buttery concoction over tortillas for a heart-healthy snack.

    However, with the arrival of Spaniards in Latin America came additional ingredients like garlic, cilantro, and limes.

    Since the Spaniards had a difficult time pronouncing āhuacamolli, they rearranged the word over time to become guacamole (a combo of "aguacate" + "mole").

    The original āhuacamolli spread eventually morphed into the chunky and flavorful dip of modern-day guacamole that can be found at Sunday brunch or Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

    Serving

    Not only is this guacamole recipe quick to put together, but it's also 100% vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free.

    So here you have it, the best guacamole recipe that is going to steal your heart.

    Grab your forks, and let's get mashing!

    Lime, Onion, Tomato, Avocado, Green Chile, Garlic, and Cilantro
    This easy guacamole requires just a few ingredients

    🍲 Key ingredients

    For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

    Avocado

    Taste: this creamy and delicious fruit is an obvious must-have for any guacamole recipe. We've seen a lot of recipes that add things like sour cream to increase the yield, but the flavor and texture just won't be the same. If you are planning on making the best guacamole, you've gotta commit.

    Health: avocados are full of nutrients like potassium. They have even more than bananas! Plus, they contain other compounds like fiber and healthy fats. No wonder the Aztecs loved this food so much.

    Lime

    Taste: another secret weapon in guacamole that helps create a well-rounded chip dip. Limes add just the right amount of zestiness this green concoction needs. What do you end up with? The perfect tang in every bite.

    Health: did you know the juice from one lime contains 20% of your daily Vitamin C needs? They're a pretty amazing food to include in your diet, wouldn't you say?

    Garlic

    Taste: a little of this herb goes a long way. We're guilty of always putting too much garlic in our meals, but hey, we love the taste! It's zesty, spicy, and pungent — the perfect addition to a rich and creamy base.

    Health: there have actually been studies showing garlic has the ability to help lower blood pressure, but that's more in the supplement form. To eat an equivalent amount of fresh garlic, you would turn a lot of heads with your stinky breath. Still pretty cool, though!

    Cilantro

    Taste: adding cilantro to our guacamole recipe is what gives it an element of complexity. It provides citrusy, peppery, and almost spicy notes to this dish. Much like garlic, we always find a way to add cilantro to our meals. What about you?

    Fun fact: if you're one of those people that thinks cilantro tastes like soap, it's likely a genetic issue. The more you know, right?

    Mashed Avocado
    Roughly mash your avocados

    🔪 Instructions

    If you have questions about how to make guacamole, don't forget to check out our FAQ section at the bottom of this post.

    Step 1: slice the tomatoes and remove the inner seed portion. Then, dice what's left of the tomatoes. Finely dice the white onion and mince the garlic and cilantro. Cut the jalapeño in half lengthwise. With a small spoon, scrape out the seeds and finely mince each half.

    Mashed Avocado, Onions, Garlic, Chile, Cilantro, and Tomatoes
    Mix in the diced veggies!

    Step 2: cut the avocados in half and remove the seeds. Scoop out the inner green flesh onto a large plate or bowl and roughly mash with a fork.

    Step 3: add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, and sea salt to the avocados. Mash a little more to combine everything. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add lime juice for more tang, jalapeño for spice, or onion for more crunch.

    Guacamole and Tortilla Chips
    Taste and adjust seasonings to your preferences

    Step 4: Serve your guacamole as a dip with tortilla chips or as a side with quesadillas and tacos. Happy eating!

    🌡️ Storage

    This guacamole recipe is easy to store and keep fresh if you follow these simple steps:

    Prevent browning

    Contact with air is usually what causes guacamole (and avocados in general) to brown. To reduce the chances of this, flatten the guacamole completely with a spoon then put a layer of water (or lime juice) on the top of the guacamole and cover it in an airtight container.

    Fridge

    Guacamole should keep in the fridge for up to 2-3 days without browning. When you are ready to eat it, just pour off the liquid, stir, and enjoy!

    Freezer

    You can freeze this guacamole recipe by packing it into a freezer-safe bag and squeezing the air out. You can also use an airtight container with plastic wrap over the exposed areas of the guacamole. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Guacamole on a Tortilla Chip
    Enjoy your creamy and delicious guacamole with chips!

    💭 Tips & variations

    We'd like to share some tips and variations we learned while experimenting with this guacamole recipe:

    • Have patience. It's absolutely necessary to wait for your avocados to ripen to ensure a creamy guacamole texture.
    • De-seed your tomato. Don't skip this step or you'll be left with watery guacamole.
    • Add more spice. If you prefer more spiciness, use serrano or habanero chiles.
    • Omit what you don't like. Don't feel like you need to add onions, cilantro, or garlic if you're not fond of the taste.
    • Add in seasonings. Some people like adding cumin or cayenne to their guacamole recipes. Experiment to see what you like!

    🍴 Tasting notes

    There's really nothing better than homemade guacamole. It's:

    • Creamy
    • Fresh
    • Vibrant
    • Authentic
    • Flavorful

    If you try this guacamole recipe, please rate it and leave us a comment below! Want to stay up-to-date with new recipes? Subscribe to our newsletter or connect with Broke Bank Vegan on social media. Happy eating!

    📋 Recipe

    Guacamole and Tortilla Chips

    Guacamole

    Mitch and Justine
    This guacamole recipe is made with creamy avocados, tangy lime, spicy jalapeños, zesty garlic, and sharp onions. It's easy, homemade, and authentic! Try it with tortilla chips, quesadillas, tacos, and more.
    5 from 4 votes
    Prevents your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer, Snacks
    Cuisine Gluten-Free, Mexican, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 167 kcal

    Equipment

    • Chef knife
    • Large mixing bowl or plate

    Ingredients
     

    US Customary - Metric
    • 2 Roma tomatoes, de-seeded and diced ($0.28)
    • ¼ large white onion, diced ($0.06)
    • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced ($0.08)
    • 10-12 springs cilantro, minced ($0.05)
    • 1 medium jalapeño, de-seeded and minced ($0.04)
    • 3 large Hass avocados ($0.54)
    • 2 tablespoon lime juice ($0.12)
    • Sea salt to taste ($0.01)

    Instructions
     

    • To begin, slice the tomatoes and remove the inner seed portion. Then, dice what's left of the tomatoes. Finely dice the white onion and mince the garlic and cilantro. Cut the jalapeño in half lengthwise. With a small spoon, scrape out the seeds and finely mince each half. Set aside.
    • Next, cut the avocados in half and remove the seeds. Scoop out the inner green flesh onto a large plate or bowl and roughly mash with a fork.
    • Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, and sea salt to the avocados. Mash a little more to combine everything. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add lime juice for more tang, jalapeño for spice, or onion for more crunch.
    • Serve your guacamole as a dip with tortilla chips or as a side with quesadillas and tacos. Happy eating!

    Video

    Notes

    • Optional ingredients are not reflected in the price or calories of our recipes.
    • We calculate nutritional information for our recipes with Cronometer.
    • Recipe cost calculations are based on ingredients local to us and may vary from recipe-to-recipe. 
    • All prices are in USD.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.2g | Protein: 2.2g | Fat: 14.8g | Saturated Fat: 2.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9.9g | Sodium: 8.5mg | Potassium: 523mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1.2g | Vitamin A: 285.5IU | Vitamin C: 16.2mg | Calcium: 17.5mg | Iron: 0.6mg
    Don't miss another recipe!Subscribe to our newsletter!

    ♻️ Similar recipes

    For more tasty dips and spreads, check out our:

    • Salsa roja for a classic Mexican salsa you need to learn how to make!
    • Salsa verde to try a tangy, spicy, and herbaceous sauce on all your favorite Mexican meals.
    • Chamoy for a mouthwatering sauce you just have to taste to understand.
    • Salsa fresca to enjoy a fresh and delicious appetizer, snack, or side dish.

    💬 FAQ

    What can I use to make it spicy without jalapeño?

    Instead of jalapeño peppers, try serrano peppers, habaneros, cayenne powder, or red chili flakes.

    How do I know if my avocado is ripe?

    You'll know your avocado is ripe because it will feel soft when you lightly squeeze it. Also, if the stem at the top comes off easily and you see green underneath, then you are good to go.

    Can I use another variety of avocado?

    Yes, you can use different avocado varieties besides Hass (like Gwen, Pinkerton, or Fuerte). Try adding a little vegan sour cream or mayo if that's the case to make sure your guacamole turns out creamy.

    More Vegan Sauces

    • Vegan Teriyaki Sauce
    • Vegan Ranch
    • Vegan Tzatziki
    • Beet Hummus

    Reader Interactions

    leave a comment and rating! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Mitch & Justine

    Hey, we're Mitch & Justine! We've been vegan for over 9 years, and we love to share feel-good plant-based recipes. Find out how a couple of RNs from Canada became full-time food bloggers! Tell me more →

    Popular recipes

    • Stewed Potatoes
    • Dirty Chai Latte
    • Jugo Verde
    • Vegan Garlic Bread
    • Entomatadas
    • Tacos de Canasta

    Featured in

    Featured in logos.

    Footer

    ↑ Back to top

    Details

    Privacy

    Terms

    Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    Sign up for emails and updates!

    More

    Accessibility

    About

    Disclosure

    Copyright © 2023 Broke Bank Vegan