How to Make Guacamole: Traditional Mexican Guacamole Recipe (2024)

Learn how to make guacamole with this traditional Mexican guacamole recipe. Although guacamole is perhaps more commonly eaten with chips, it also makes an excellent addition to several Mexican dishes. It can also be used in place of mayo or used as a topping for toast or even baked potatoes as a substitute for common condiments.

Authentic Mexican Guacamole

When I have Mexican food, I make this traditional guacamole recipe. Sure, you can buy guacamole in the store, but it just isn’t the same. Homemade traditional Mexican guacamole tastes fresher than what you can buy at the store. If you compare store bought to homemade, homemade will win every time.

When you learn how to make guacamole from scratch, you can control the ingredients. I use an authentic Mexican guacamole recipe with lime juice to make this tasty avocado recipe. I also add jalapeno or serrano peppers for their flavor and heat. Although adding peppers is authentic, you can make this recipe without adding peppers if you want a milder flavor without heat in your guacamole.

Learning how to make guacamole is fairly easy. It only takes about 10 minutes to make this fresh homemade dip, so you can make it while your dinner is cooking. Or whip it up as a quick weeknight snack, as an easy lunch idea or for weekend gatherings.

Is Guacamole a Traditional Mexican Food?

Guacamole is a traditional Mexican food. Avocados have been grown and used for food in South Central Mexico for 10,000 years. Guacamole dates back as early as the late 1600s when a guacamole recipe was first mentioned in a book. Although it was not called guacamole at the time, the recipe remains similar but with additions to improve the flavor.

It’s believed that the Aztec people in central Mexico made guacamole solely from avocados by mashing them. Avocados are high in protein and fat, making them a good food source. Not to mention, they taste great!

Why is Guacamole So Popular?

Guacamole is popular today because it’s a healthy dip that’s easy to make at home. Avocados are high in good fat and high in protein, so they are a healthy food. Learning how to make guacamole is quick and easy to make at home, so it’s a popular dip for parties and to serve with Mexican foods.

What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Avocados?

Avocados are a healthy food. A 40 gram serving (approximate ⅕ of an avocado) contains:

• 64 calories
• Just under 6 grams of fat
• 3.4 grams of carbohydrates
• Less than 1 gram of sugar
• Just under 3 grams of fiber
• Vitamin C, E, K and B-6
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
• Folate
• Pantothenic Acid
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Beta-carotene
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Litein

What is Traditional Guacamole Made Of?

Somewhere through history the recipe for making guacamole changed. Today, traditional Mexican guacamole is made with avocados, sea salt, cilantro, onions, lime juice and jalapenos. Some recipes also call for tomatoes, sour cream, peas or basil.

How Do You Pick Ripe Avocados?

You want to use ripe avocados for authentic Mexican guacamole. If it’s not ripe, the avocado will be too firm to mash. An avocado is ripe when it feels soft, but isn’t mushy. The outside should be a dark green color. However, this can vary. It’s best to use touch to determine when an avocado is ripe.

What Type of Onion is Used to Make Authentic Guacamole?

Red or white onions are typically used to make an authentic Mexican guacamole recipe. White onions have a cleaner taste, which is important for this recipe. While red onions have a milder flavor and are subtly sweet. You can also use either a red onion or a white onion based on your flavor preference. However, I recommend that you not use a yellow onion to create this homemade dip recipe.

What Can I Substitute for Lime Juice in Guacamole?

If you do not have lime juice, then you can substitute lemon juice or vinegar for the lime juice instead. You can also omit the lime juice in this traditional Mexican guacamole dip, if desired. However, it’s important to note that your dip will quickly turn brown without a citrus juice or other component to slow the process.

Does Authentic Guacamole Have Garlic in It?

Authentic Mexican guacamole does not have garlic in it.

What Do You Eat With Traditional Mexican Guacamole?

You can enjoy this traditional Mexican guacamole in the following dishes:

• Use as a dip for nacho chips.
• Spread it on toast.
• Add this homemade dip to a sandwich.
• Use guacamole in deviled eggs in place of mayonnaise.
• Spread it onto fish then bake.
• To top a baked potato as a replacement for, or in addition to, sour cream.

Tips for Making Mexican Guacamole at Home

Here are some tips to help you learn how to make fresh guacamole at home:

• Use ripe avocados. Unripe avocados will be too hard to mash properly.
• Use white or red onions for the best flavor.
• This authentic Mexican guacamole recipe calls for large avocados. If you use small avocados, you can one one more than noted in the recipe.
• Use fresh lime juice for best taste and to slow browning.
• Utilize a food chopper to make chopping the ingredients easier.
• Make sure to wear gloves to prevent oils from the peppers from lingering on skin.
• Leave the seeds in the peppers for a spicy homemade guacamole dip. For a mild dip, remove the pepper seeds.

How Do You Keep Guacamole Fresh?

Avocados, like apples, turn brown when they are exposed to air. This is due to a chemical reaction that produces melanin.

To keep guacamole fresh and prevent browning, you can pour a thin layer of water or lime juice over leftover guacamole to create a barrier to prevent air from touching the dip. Then cover with plastic wrap and push the air out. Finally, cover in an airtight container and store in the fridge.

Authentic Mexican Guacamole Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make traditional Mexican guacamole:

• Avocados: Use large ripe avocados.
• Jalapeno or Serrano peppers: Serrano peppers are hotter than jalapeno peppers. (I highly recommend wearing gloves when slicing hot peppers.)
• Cilantro: This is a common Mexican herb. Use fresh cilantro for the best flavor.
• Tomatoes: Use Roma tomatoes because they have less juice.
• Onion: Use white onion or red onion.
• Lime: Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
• Salt: Add a pinch of fine sea salt to taste.

How to Make Authentic Mexican Guacamole

Follow these steps to learn how to make guacamole from scratch:

1. To make homemade guacamole from scratch, you first need to prep the ingredients. To do this, pit the avocados then cut the flesh into cubes. Then cut the limes into quarters and juice. Slice or mince the peppers removing the stem, mince the cilantro, dice the onion, and chop the tomatoes. (I highly recommend you wear gloves when cutting the peppers. You can remove the seeds, if desired, or leave them in for a dip with more heat.)

2. Once the ingredients for this homemade dip are prepped, place the avocado cubes into a large bowl. Then mash the ripe avocado with a fork until the mixture is smooth.

3. Now add the juice from two limes. (This is approximately four tablespoons.) Then add fine sea salt to taste. Mix well.

4. Finally, add the onion, tomato and cilantro. Stir to combine, then serve in a traditional Mexican serving bowl or desired container.

How to Store Leftovers

Oxygen can cause avocados to turn brown. The lime juice helps to prevent browning, but you should still cover your authentic Mexican guacamole recipe with plastic wrap and seal in an airtight container.

You can store leftover guacamole dip for up to three days. However, keep in mind that the top may brown during storage if the container is not completely airtight, or if there is air between the guacamole dip and the lid.

More Mexican Recipes

If you like my homemade dip recipe for how to make guacamole, then you may also enjoy these other Mexican inspired dishes:

• Mexican Watermelon Jicama Salad
• Frozen Mango Margaritas
• Vegetarian Mexican Lettuce Wraps
• Guacamole Quesadillas
• Authentic Mexican Pozole

This recipe for authentic Mexican guacamole originally appeared on Becca Ink.

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