• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

  • My RecipeTin
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish
      • Salad Meals
    • Soups
    • One Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Vegetables
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cake recipes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • Japanese
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • Cocktails
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
  • ✨Party✨
  • Collections
  • About
    • Me
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • eBooks
      • The Food Photography Book
      • Chicken Wings Cookbook
    • Food Bloggers Central
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home Dips

Guacamole

By:Nagi
Published:28 Dec '20Updated:3 Jan '21
102 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

The secret to the best guacamole recipe? Starting with a paste made with coriander/cilantro, chilli and onion. It’s the traditional Mexican way. First timers can never pick why it tastes so good, they just know it is waaaay better than the usual!

Plus, I’m sharing a secret for how to stop guacamole from going brown – it lasts two whole days in the fridge and stays the perfect green colour!

Close up of corn chip being dipped into Guacamole

A really great Guacamole recipe

Anyone who has visited Mexico or been to an authentic Mexican restaurant will agree that there is guacamole…then there are really good guacamoles.

For most of my life, I was making it like much of the world: mashing up avocado, stirring through jalapeño, coriander/cilantro, lime juice and salt. Throw in some diced tomato if I felt like it and sometimes even some sour cream.

But after visiting Mexico, watching it actually be made, I discovered the secret to a truly great traditional guacamole:

Start by making a paste with garlic, onion and jalapeño or Serrano chilli.

It won’t taste oniony, it just gives it an extra flavour edge that mixes all the way through the guacamole. Because of this, mashing is key here. Nobody wants chunks of raw onion in their guac!

No mortar and pestle? No worries – just use a fork!

Mashing coriander, jalapeno and onion for a guacamole recipe.

Close up of traditional Guacamole

How to make a traditional guacamole

Firstly, make the guacamole flavour base by making a paste using onion, coriander/cilantro, jalapeño or serrano chillies and salt. Grind it up in a mortar and pestle (in Mexico, it is called a molcajete) or on a cutting board using a fork. And this simple paste is the foundation of a guacamole that will have your friends begging you for the recipe. 🙂

After that, it’s as simple as mashing in the avocado and stirring in lime juice to taste!

Avocado in a mortar and pestle being mashed for guacamole.

What goes in Guacamole

Here’s all you need for traditional guacamole: ripe avocados, coriander/cilantro, red onions, jalapeño or Serrano chilli, lime and salt.

Avoid unnecessary fillers such as sour cream and cream cheese. They only dilute flavour.

Popular optional extras include: garlic, tomato, cumin powder. Tomato is not that common in Mexico – I only saw it in touristy areas.

Ingredients for Guacamole

How to stop guacamole from going brown

Avocado goes brown when it is in contact with air. So to stop it from browning, do as follows: pour into airtight container. Bang to remove air bubbles, smooth surface. Cover with a thin layer of olive oil or warm water. Avocado is so dense, it will not absorb it. Stays green for 2 whole days in the fridge!!

To serve, pour off liquid, give it a good stir. Add a fresh spritz of lime if needed then serve!

Game changer tip learnt from Claire at Sprinkles & Sprouts!

How to stop guacamole from going brown

Flavour variations

There are plenty of flavour variation options. Don’t let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn’t put in your guac – make it the way you want! Here are some suggestions:

  • Garlic – add a small clove when mashing the onion;
  • Cumin – add a small pinch or two, just a hint of extra flavour;
  • Tomato – stir through diced tomato and stir through. (To chop the tomato, halve and remove watery centre then chop, see my Bruschetta video if you want a quick tutorial)
  • Coriander / cilantro substitute – use chives instead! It’s terrific!
  • Avocado Hummus – For all those times when you can’t decide whether to make hummus or guacamole, OR when avocado is extortionately expensive!!
  • Chunky or smooth – I like mine on the chunky side usually but it depends on who I’m serving. To be honest, smoother looks better when serving at a gathering. But for day to day purposes, I make it lumpier 🙂 In Mexico, it’s served on the chunkier side.
  • Sour cream and cream cheese – these are a no go zone for me because they dilute the flavour of the avocado. I’d rather make Avocado Hummus! But if it’s what you like, feel free to stir it in!

Guacamole in a white bowl with corn chips, ready to be eaten

Is avocado good for you?

YES – in moderation! Avocado are packed full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and healthy fats! One of the few natural produce that contains a substantial amount of monounsaturated fatty acids which are good fats known to lower cholesterol and promote heart health.

With almost 20 vitamins and minerals, their potential health benefits include improving digestion, good for your heart, lower cholesterol, decrease risk of depression, and protection against cancer.

Avocado is also good for weight loss because it’s high in fibre and (good!) fats which will keep you feeling full for longer. You’re far better off loading up a salad with avocado than cheese, or smushing avocado on your morning toast than peanut butter! But because they are 77% fat, they do need to be eaten in moderation.

What to eat Guacamole with – other than corn chips!

A big platter of corn chips with a bowl of guacamole is certainly the most classic! Actually, in Mexico, the traditional way is to serve with crispy deep fried tortilla cut into corn chips shapes.

Anything suitable dunking works with Guacamole. Vegetable sticks, crackers, torn up pieces of Lebanese bread or other types of flatbread.

It’s also a firm favourite to serve alongside most Mexican dishes – as a dip or dollop for burritos, enchiladas, tacos, nachos, fajitas!

I really hope you do try this traditional recipe. It adds an extra element of “wow” to your guacamole but won’t taste oniony. No one can ever put their finger on why it taste so good, they just know it does! – Nagi x


Guacamole recipe
Watch how to make it

Guacamole recipe video:

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Corn chip scooping up guacamole

Guacamole

Author: Nagi
Prep: 10 mins
Total: 10 mins
Appetizer, Dip
Mexican
5 from 22 votes
Servings5
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. A really great Guacamole, the way it's made in Mexico and in the best Mexican restaurants around the world! The secret step that makes this so special is making a paste with onion, chilli, coriander/cilantro and salt before adding the avocado. 
Mashing is key to release flavour. And nobody wants raw onion chunks in their guac!

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp finely chopped white onion (or red, brown or yellow)
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped jalapeno or serrano chilli (or other chilli of choice) (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp salt , plus more to taste
  • 1/4 cup roughly chopped coriander/cilantro leaves
  • 2 medium avocados (or 1 very large one) (Note 1)
  • Lime juice , to taste (I use 1/4 – 1/2 lime)
  • Optional: 1 ripe tomato , peeled, deseeded and chopped

Instructions

  • Place the onion, jalapeño, salt and half the coriander on a cutting board and use a fork to mash until juicy. OR do this in a mortar and pestle – grind into a paste.
  • Scrape into a bowl, add avocado and remaining coriander, and mash to desired consistency.
  • Do a taste test then adjust to your taste: salt, lime juice for sour, more chilli for spiciness.
  • If using tomatoes, stir through.
  • Serve with corn chips!

Recipe Notes:

1. Avocado must be super ripe! 
2. STORAGE: Guacamole is one of those things best made fresh. But I picked up the most AMAZING TIP EVER from this Make Ahead Guacamole from my friend Claire over at Sprinkles and Sprouts. Put in an airtight container, smooth top and cover with thin layer of water OR olive oil. Avo is so dense, the water doesn’t get absorbed at all. Your dip will stay beautifully green for 2 whole days!!! 

PREPARING AHEAD: What I do is make batches of the paste and have the coriander and lime chopped and ready to go. Then just before serving, I cut the avocados and make the guacamole – it’s very quick and there are always people willing to pitch in!
3. Coriander/cilantro: In the video, I ground up all the coriander into the paste rather than stirring half in later. It doesn’t make a huge difference to flavour, it’s up to you which way you prefer.
4. Source: Recipe originally adapted from a recipe by Thomasina Miers but since updated to a recipe from a cookbook I purchased in Oaxaca, Mexico, called “Truly Mexican” by Roberto Santibanez. My current bible for Mexican cooking. 🙂 Both use the same technique of an onion paste, but called for slightly different quantities and I prefer the Truly Mexican version.
5. Nutrition per servings.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 77gCalories: 130cal (7%)Carbohydrates: 7g (2%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 11g (17%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 238mg (10%)Potassium: 389mg (11%)Fiber: 5g (21%)Vitamin A: 115IU (2%)Vitamin C: 8.3mg (10%)Calcium: 10mg (1%)Iron: 0.5mg (3%)
Keywords: Guacamole, guacamole recipe, Traditional guacamole
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Recipe originally published 2014, updated for housekeeping matters December 2016 and 2020. No change to recipe – I wouldn’t dare!

Life of Dozer

Trying to get him into the spirit of New Years’ Eve! (Err….and yes, if you are looking closely you might notice the sparkly confetti is actually in the shape of Christmas trees. It’s all I have!)

dozer-nyw-2016_1

Oi! Dozer! Where’s your party spirit??!!!

dozer-nyw-2016_2
Previous Post
6 Fabulous Lobster Recipes! (crayfish)
Next Post
Another dodgy Christmas Selfie….

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Related Posts

Hand dipping crinkle cut potato chips in creamy homemade French Onion Dip

Homemade French Onion Dip

Pesto!

Salsa recipe for restaurant style salsa. Salsa in a ceramic bowl with corn chips.

Restaurant Style Salsa recipe

More Dips

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

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

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




102 Comments

  1. Marjan says

    January 1, 2020 at 1:02 am

    Happy New year’s 🤩

    Reply
  2. Samantha says

    December 30, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    5 stars
    Nagi you read my mind. Just opened your page to find the recipe and whaddya know there it is featured.

    Reply
  3. myfanwy alderson says

    October 7, 2019 at 1:03 pm

    5 stars
    Made it in my Nutri bullet , I like it creamy.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 8, 2019 at 9:49 am

      Sounds great!

      Reply
  4. Kit Laughlin says

    June 30, 2019 at 2:03 pm

    Nagi: love your take on an old favourite.
    I have found another way of stopping guac. going brown: bang the bowl, as you suggested, to get as much air out as possible, then use a piece of cling wrap to seal the surface 100%—this will mean pressing the wrap into the bowl and right on to the surface, smoothing any air bubbles away. It will last a bit more than two days that way, we have found. Great recipe!

    Reply
  5. Susan says

    June 2, 2019 at 6:55 am

    I had to laugh when I saw your guacamole recipe. I live in Arizona and yes.. you nailed the guacamole ingredients perfectly. However, when I lived in Melbourne years ago, Mexican restaurants barely existed. I craved Mexican food.. my SouthwestAmerican palette was never far away. We discovered a Mexican Restaurant and the first thing we did was order guacamole. Imagine my horror when it came out, mixed with mayonnaise!! I talked to the chef, and he said.. “If you can make it better, put on an apron and go make it!” So I did… he thanked me profusely and gave us our meal for free!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 2, 2019 at 4:43 pm

      That’s a great story Susan!!! Proves you can always learn new things!

      Reply
  6. Wendy says

    May 4, 2019 at 3:21 am

    Could you grind the paste in a blender instead of mashing (I’m lazy😂).

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 4, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      I like the way you think! Sure thing ☺️

      Reply
  7. Colleen says

    May 4, 2019 at 1:18 am

    Love these recipes, I have a question. Perhaps you or your other readers would know the answer. I have a friend who is married to a guy from Mexico and he will often make guacamole, but, he leaves the pit in the bowl with it when serving. Is there a reason for this or do you think maybe it’s just for show?

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      May 4, 2019 at 3:19 am

      I’ve heard it’s to stop the guacamole from browning.

      Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 4, 2019 at 2:30 pm

      As Wendy said – to stop the browning ❤️

      Reply
      • Monica says

        September 23, 2019 at 6:28 pm

        I saw on Yuppie Chef that it was indeed to prevent browning. The presence of the pit in the bowl diminishes the surface of avocado in contact with air!

        Reply
  8. Nanachan says

    April 22, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you Nagi. My first successful Guacamole and it tastes …. yummy!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      April 22, 2019 at 6:16 pm

      Wahooo!!!

      Reply
  9. Miguel C says

    March 25, 2019 at 9:32 am

    Just like my abuela used to make. Gracias!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 25, 2019 at 9:46 am

      Thanks Miguel!!

      Reply
  10. Alberto del Fonso says

    March 25, 2019 at 9:31 am

    Great guac recipr

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 25, 2019 at 9:46 am

      Thanks Alberto! – Nx

      Reply
  11. Berny says

    February 14, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    5 stars
    Best guacamole.
    Left overs is not a problem for me as it will never happen!!!
    All will be eaten the day it’s made !!!

    Reply
  12. Mrs pina says

    January 11, 2019 at 1:31 am

    Can you show a video as to how you put it on an Air tight container. It says to bang it, don’t understand what it means. Do you bang the container on the table or what? Sorry, I’m dumb.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 11, 2019 at 10:29 am

      Don’t put yourself down!! I will try to remember to do the video. What I do is scrape the guac in a container, then bang the container down on the counter / table or whatever I’m working on to help get any air bubbles out from within the guac pile. Then smooth the top – check the side of the container to ensure you don’t have air bubbles (they go brown!). Then when you cover the top with warm water or oil, just ensure no part of the guac is poking out! N x

      Reply
  13. Anna says

    January 4, 2019 at 5:40 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! The paste makes all the difference. Now there is no other way to make my guacamole.

    Thanks Nagi, I love your recipes and this website is my go to place when planning our weekly meals. Your notes, explanations, videos, and recipe scaling are very helpful and really set your site apart from others.
    Oh…….and Dozer 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 8, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      Thanks so much Anna!

      Reply
  14. J says

    January 1, 2019 at 8:07 am

    5 stars
    I make my guacamole with chunks of avo, lemon, and parsley. I never heard of onion paste though N and I have a mortar and pestle…never used, so I’ll be making it tonight. Yum!

    I’m going to change my server and provider coz I didn’t get 2 of your posts! Also I write comments to you and they disappear right b4 I submit it. Errr!

    I can’t wait to see what you make for 2019!

    Have a Healthy and Happy New Year N with Dozer and your family! 🎉🎉🎉

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 9, 2019 at 9:03 pm

      I hope you love it! Happy New Year to you as well! ❤️

      Reply
  15. Patricia Kramer says

    December 23, 2018 at 8:47 am

    5 stars
    We will have a small Christmass tree centerpiece.

    Reply
  16. Prakriti Pollack says

    December 3, 2018 at 6:02 am

    5 stars
    I made this over the weekend and to keep it authentic I used a mortar and pestle (which was a gift and was never used prior to this because I did not know what to use it for. There are not that many everyday recipes out there that calls for a mortar and pestle!). Anyways- this is without a doubt the best guacamole I have ever made! Even my husband (who describes guacamole in general as green snot- I KNOW!!!) was loading his plate with it! Now that shows how good this guacamole is!

    Reply
    • Nagi Maehashi says

      December 4, 2018 at 1:12 pm

      Prakriti that’s great!!!!

      Reply
  17. Jean Morris says

    October 27, 2018 at 2:58 am

    5 stars
    Best guacamole I’ve ever made! Didn’t use tomatoes as I prefer the texture without.

    Reply
  18. Jean says

    October 27, 2018 at 2:54 am

    5 stars
    The best guacamole recipe I’ve ever had. Didn’t add tomatoes as I wanted the avocado to shine, and they sure did!

    Reply
  19. Kris says

    June 27, 2018 at 7:15 am

    Forgot the 5 stars

    Reply
  20. Kris says

    June 27, 2018 at 7:13 am

    This was the best. Since I made it my family of 3 requested it again and again so now I double the paste mixture and keep in fridge. That way I just take a spoon of it and mix with 1 medium avocado on demand 🙂

    Reply
Older Comments
Newer Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer

Top Posts

Baked Chicken Breast with a side of Garlic Butter Rice with Kale on a white plate, ready to be eaten.

Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Beef Stroganoff in a rustic white bowl over noodles

Beef Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast in a white dish, ready to be served

Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast

Close up of freshly made Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese

Close up of Dijon Cream Sauce being poured over Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu

These No Knead Dinner Rolls are like magic! Astonishingly easy, no stand mixer, just mix the ingredients in a bowl! recipetineats.com

Soft No Knead Dinner Rolls

Close up of Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles fresh off the stove, ready to be served

Quick Asian Beef Ramen Noodles

Pile of golden, crispy and juicy Pork Carnitas on a white plate.

Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)

As Featured On

What's for Dinner?

Close up of beef enchiladas in a baking dish, fresh out of the oven

Beef Enchiladas

Butter Chicken served over basmati rice in a bowl, ready to be served

Butter Chicken

Overhead photo of 2 black bowls with Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing, ready to be eaten

Chinese Chicken Salad

Salisbury Steak recipe in skillet.

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken - 7 ingredient magic. The coconut fragrance is heavenly! recipetineats.com

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken

Fast prep. Big flavours!

Never miss a recipe

Back to Top
  • Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
  • Food Bloggers Center
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • Image Use
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits Developed by Zao © RecipeTin Eats 2021 · All Rights Reserved Back to Top