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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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:
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Guacamole
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:
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:
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!)
Oi! Dozer! Where’s your party spirit??!!!
Just like my abuela used to make. Gracias!
Thanks Miguel!!
Great guac recipr
Thanks Alberto! – Nx
Best guacamole.
Left overs is not a problem for me as it will never happen!!!
All will be eaten the day it’s made !!!
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.
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
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 🙂
Thanks so much Anna!
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! 🎉🎉🎉
I hope you love it! Happy New Year to you as well! ❤️
We will have a small Christmass tree centerpiece.
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!
Prakriti that’s great!!!!
Best guacamole I’ve ever made! Didn’t use tomatoes as I prefer the texture without.
The best guacamole recipe I’ve ever had. Didn’t add tomatoes as I wanted the avocado to shine, and they sure did!
Forgot the 5 stars
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 🙂
I just made, and devoured this recipe at the time of this post! The BEST I’ve ever had! I doubled the recipe but only used 1/4 lime as I didn’t want it to be too sour, and to also allow the avocado to still be the star. Thank you!
Hi Nagi, I will be making this for a large group of about 40 for a party. Can I use a food processor. Will that detract from the flavour. Or maybe you have a better solution. Thank you
Was about time someone showed how to actually make guacamole and not adding up irrelevant pretentious “touch”… Thanks for this one, 5/5!
Ba ha ha! Some things should be left classic, I totally agree! 🙂 N xx
Happy New Year Kathy! I hope you got a stack of Mexican recipes from her, you lucky thing! N xx
I can eat avocado, guacamole, and anything with avocado every day. The tip about making the pepper and the onion is a genius and makes a lot of sense. Happy new Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too Carlos! Here’s to an amazing 2017! 🙂 N xx
Nice call, Thomasina Miers lived and worked in Mexico and has some great recipes. Her guacamole is my favourite, although normally I’m not a fan of avocado I do like this dip, for me the key is ripeness and the balance of lime and salt. I love the dog photos.
I have great respect for her 🙂 I borrowed her cookbook from the library and made a handful of the recipes, I was really impressed! I am determined to get to her restaurant the next time I am in the UK!
NAGI!!! You said Dozer did not have to wear any more silly hats this season! You did! Since Vicki ex San Miguel de Allende has commented, I would not even dare give my ignorant opinion tho’ guacamole has regularly been on the menu since you were a small kid. Have copied it down and put it in the kitchen file: sadly we are getting imported Mexican avocadoes, usually a blotchy brown colour and inedible taste at the moment . . . I have patience and I shall wait 🙂 !
I know I know I am SO CRUEL!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR EHA! Sending big virtual hugs! N xx
Hi Nagi! Happy New Year to you and The Dozer Dog 😉
Thanks for this recipe, it is one of 3 dips I’ll be making on the ‘eve to enjoy at work. I’m wondering if it would be a good idea to prep it at home, and then take it to work and mix there? Or is the flavour better if it sits a while before enjoying?
All the Best Nagi, you deserve it…and Thanks for all the recipes this year! Looking forward to the next year of YUM! 🙂
Happy New Year to you too Leah! I have make ahead prep notes in the recipe 🙂 DEFINITELY best to make it as close as you can to serving. For parties, I make the paste ahead then just mash in the avocado just before serving. Cheers to 2017!!!
I took your advice…and it really WAS amazing! I say “was” because it lasted all of 20 minutes! 😀 😀
This is my go-to for guac now…and as I didn’t pass the recipe around, I gave your website address instead.
Hoping 2017 is a crazy-busy year for your recipetin!
WOO HOO! I’m so happy to hear that Leah, thanks so much for letting me know! N xx