Guacamole (Mexican Avocado Dip)
In short: Ripe avocados mashed with raw onion, serrano chile, cilantro and lime juice into a chunky dip that comes together in ten minutes. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 195 kcal
The word guacamole comes from the Nahuatl words for avocado and sauce, and the dish is one of the oldest in Mexico. At home it sits beside tacos, grilled meat and carnitas more often than it meets a chip. The best version is plain: ripe avocados, a little raw onion, green chile, cilantro, lime and salt, mashed in a stone mortar or a bowl and left chunky. Diced tomato is a common extra but not a requirement.
Instructions
- Mash the onion, chile, half of the cilantro and the salt to a rough paste in a molcajete or a bowl, using a pestle or the back of a fork, for about a minute. This releases their flavor before the avocado goes in.
- Halve the avocados, remove the pits and scoop the flesh into the bowl.
- Mash coarsely, leaving plenty of small chunks for texture.
- Stir in the lime juice, the remaining cilantro and the tomato if you are using it. Taste and adjust the salt and lime.
- Serve right away with tortilla chips, tacos or grilled meat. To hold it for an hour, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface.
Tips
- Test ripeness by pressing near the stem: it should give slightly. A hard avocado ripens in a paper bag with a banana in a day or two.
- Swap the serrano for a jalapeño if you want less heat, and add chile gradually, tasting as you go, since heat varies from pepper to pepper.
Questions and answers
How do I keep guacamole from turning brown?
Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface so no air touches it, then refrigerate. It keeps its color for about a day this way. Scrape off any thin brown layer before serving.
Can you freeze guacamole?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Freeze it in an airtight container with the surface pressed flat, then thaw in the fridge and stir well. The texture is softer, so it works best as a spread.
What goes into authentic Mexican guacamole?
Avocado, onion, green chile, cilantro, lime and salt. Many Mexican cooks add diced tomato, but sour cream, garlic powder and mayonnaise are not traditional.
How long does it take to make Guacamole (Mexican Avocado Dip)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Guacamole (Mexican Avocado Dip)?
About 195 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 195 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
