Guacamole Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What makes guacamole taste better? ›

Fresh lime juice and zest – They make the guacamole zesty and bright. Jalapeño – For heat. Feel free to omit it if you're sensitive to spice. A serrano pepper would work here too!

Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a barrier with the air. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap, so it is flush with the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or put the guacamole in a sealed tub.

Although adding mayonnaise to guacamole can be a divisive topic, plenty of people swear by it for its textural benefits. Blending just a little bit of mayo into your guacamole will help make it extra creamy and silky smooth for dipping or spreading.

With ripe tomatoes so rare in the U.S., I generally leave them out.) I know what you're about to ask. "But what about oxidation?” While lime is touted as a way prevent avocados from browning, it takes a lot of lime for that to work—and it's generally a bad idea to transform a dish's taste for aesthetic reasons.

Fun ways to customize your guacamole recipe

Your favorite regular salsa or fruit salsa. A little crunch from pepitas or even sunflower seeds. Extra heat with your favorite hot sauce. Savory goodness from crumbled cotija cheese and/or minced garlic.

Tomatoes — not all guac recipes have tomatoes in them but I sure love tomatoes in mine. I remove the seeds of the tomatoes so the guacamole doesn't become soggy. Chili — the most common chilis added are either jalapeño or serrano chili depending on how spicy you want it.

Olive oil is rich in healthy fats and imparts a subtle richness to guacamole that makes it even more satisfying. In addition, it can help to prevent the avocado from turning brown too quickly by forming a barrier between the surface of the guacamole and the air.

But if for example I'll use it as a dip I only use 🥑, onions and cilantro and I blend it. Although classic recipes for guac do not call for tomatoes , many people add it for the acidic content to brighten up the more plain flavors. It goes well for those people who like that combo.

Although brown guacamole isn't the most appealing, it's completely safe to eat (as long as you've stored the guacamole in the refrigerator, and it isn't more than three days old). "While a bit off-putting to look at, brown guacamole is totally safe," confirms Food Network's nutritionist, Dana Angelo White, MS RD ATC.

DOES LEMON JUICE KEEP GUACAMOLE FROM TURNING BROWN? Yes!

Why put avocado seed in guacamole? ›

Placing an avocado seed in the guacamole is said to prevent discoloration yet this is not entirely true. The only place where it will prevent browning is directly underneath the seed, as the seed works to eliminate contact between the guacamole and oxygen from the air.

This treat is usually served with chips at local Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants, such as Moe's or Chipotle, but is also a popular ingredient on tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. Lucky for you—guacamole is easy to make and can also be enjoyed at home. What is Guacamole?

Generally speaking, the guacamole in Mexico is going to taste a bit fresher. The avocados, cilantro, and even the chiles used in the Mexican version are likely to be significantly fresher than those in the U.S. version.

Sour cream is a simple addition to your favorite guacamole recipe. Just a few tablespoons to a small batch recipe will do it. The sour cream adds a nice tang without being too overbearing and it also creates a creamy, silky mouthfeel. A fabulous contrast to the crunch of tortilla chips.

It isn't exposed to air

When avocados are exposed to air, they begin to oxidize. That's when and why they start to turn brown. But if you can eliminate any contact with air, guacamole — or even an avocado half — can be stored for longer without changing colors.

How to take the Bitterness out of Guacamole. Sometimes ingredients can be bland or produce a bitter taste. An avocado that is not ripe will be bitter. Add ½ teaspoon of sugar per cup of guacamole to reduce bitter taste.

All you really need to make guacamole is ripe avocados and salt. After that, a little lime or lemon juice—a splash of acidity—will help balance the richness of the avocado. If you want, add chopped cilantro, chilis, onion, and/or tomato.