Easy Homemade Guacamole
Fresh, chunky guacamole made with ripe avocados, lime, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and tomato. Ready in 10 minutes for chips, tacos and game day.
Homemade guacamole takes about 10 minutes and tastes far better than any store-bought tub. It is just ripe avocados mashed with lime juice and salt, then mixed with crunchy onion, a little jalapeño heat, fresh cilantro and tomato.
The most important part is the avocados. Ripe ones yield to gentle pressure and mash easily, which gives you a creamy base with nice chunks left in.
Serve it with tortilla chips, spoon it onto tacos and burrito bowls, or spread it on toast and sandwiches.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 10 minutes with no cooking
- Fresh, chunky and full of flavor
- Easy to make mild or spicy
- Naturally vegan and gluten free
Ingredient Notes
Avocados: Use Hass avocados that feel slightly soft when pressed gently, with dark, bumpy skin. Hard avocados will not mash; very mushy ones may be brown inside.
Lime juice: Fresh lime juice adds the tang and slows browning. Bottled juice works in a pinch but tastes flatter.
Jalapeño: Remove the seeds and white ribs for mild guacamole, or leave some in for more heat.
See the recipe card below for full measurements.
How to Make Easy Homemade Guacamole
Mash the avocados
Halve the avocados, remove the pits and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add the lime juice and salt and mash with a fork or potato masher, leaving it as chunky or smooth as you like.
Mix in the rest
Fold in the red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, tomato and garlic until evenly mixed.
Taste and serve
Taste and add more salt or lime juice if needed. Serve right away with tortilla chips, or cover and chill until serving.
Tips for the Best Results
- Rinse the diced red onion in cold water and pat dry if you want a milder onion flavor.
- Seed the tomato so the guacamole does not get watery.
- Mash the avocados with the lime and salt first; it seasons every bite.
- To keep it green, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface so no air touches it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Using unripe avocados | Let hard avocados ripen on the counter for 2 to 4 days, or in a paper bag with a banana to speed it up. |
| Watery guacamole | Remove the tomato seeds and juice before dicing. |
| Bland flavor | Add salt and lime a little at a time until the flavor pops. |
Substitutions
- Red onion: White onion or 2 sliced green onions.
- Jalapeño: Serrano pepper for more heat, or a pinch of chili powder for no fresh pepper.
- Cilantro: Fresh parsley if cilantro tastes soapy to you.
What to Serve With It
- Ground beef tacos
- Black bean burgers
- Tortilla chips
- Air fryer chicken wings
Storage and Reheating
Fridge: Press plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Scrape off any browned layer on top before serving.
Freezer: Freeze in a zip-top bag with the air pressed out for up to 3 months. The texture softens, so it is best for spreading or cooking.
Reheat: Serve cold or at room temperature. Stir well and add a squeeze of lime to refresh the flavor.
Tools That Make This Easier
- Molcajete or mortar and pestleThe traditional way to mash and serve guacamole.Check price on Amazon
- Avocado slicer toolSplits, pits and scoops avocados safely.Check price on Amazon
- Citrus squeezerGets every drop of juice from the lime without seeds.Check price on Amazon
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Easy Homemade Guacamole
Fresh, chunky guacamole made with ripe avocados, lime, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and tomato. Ready in 10 minutes for chips, tacos and game day.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Halve the avocados, remove the pits and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add the lime juice and salt and mash with a fork or potato masher, leaving it as chunky or smooth as you like.
- Fold in the red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, tomato and garlic until evenly mixed.
- Taste and add more salt or lime juice if needed. Serve right away with tortilla chips, or cover and chill until serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories
- 130 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbohydrates
- 9 g
- Total Fat
- 11 g
- Saturated Fat
- 2 g
- Fiber
- 5 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Sodium
- 200 mg
Nutrition is an estimate per serving without optional sauces, calculated from standard USDA values. It will vary with brands and portion sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep guacamole from turning brown?
Air causes browning. Press plastic wrap right onto the surface of the guacamole, or smooth the top and cover it with a thin layer of water, then pour it off before serving.
How do I know if an avocado is ripe?
A ripe Hass avocado has dark skin and yields to gentle pressure without feeling mushy. If the small stem cap flicks off and is green underneath, it is ready.
Can I make guacamole ahead of time?
Yes, up to a day ahead. Press plastic wrap onto the surface and refrigerate. Stir and add a squeeze of lime before serving.
Is guacamole healthy?
Avocados are rich in fiber and mostly unsaturated fat, so guacamole can be part of a balanced diet. Watch the portion size, since it is calorie dense.
