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A simple, fresh, traditional Mexican authentic guacamole made up of only a few ingredients; avocado, onion, chili, coriander, salt, and lime – with optional added tomato and black pepper.
Guacamole may be a super simple dish, made up of just a few ingredients – but they can definitely be bad or good. In fact, in the last few years, a whole slew of store-bought guacamole has arrived in stores with a whole variety of flavor combinations and spices. Traditional authentic guacamole is actually made up of just a few fresh ingredients, though, and this is the best guacamole recipe I’ve ever had.
- Avocado
- Onion – I’ve used red onion, but white onion works well too.
- Salt
- Lime Juice (and even this is seen as optional)
- Chilli
- Coriander
Note* Because of the simplicity of this dish, some may feel that lime juice overpowers the dish and ruins the balance of flavours. However, I think this is mostly up to personal choice – I love lemon and lime juice so happily add a generous amount to any guacamole, but you may want to be a bit more sparing with it.
I’ve then taken things a little further with additional ingredients, including tomato, coriander, and chili. I’ve seen some argue that some or all of these ingredients are also included in authentic Mexican guacamole too. However, others argue that this turns the dish from guacamole into an avocado dip.
I love both versions so I thought I’d included both so that people can make up their mind. Either way, this is a ridiculously easy guacamole dip to make, within just five minutes.
The most important thing about making delicious homemade guacamole is using the right ingredients. By that, I mean – with a fresh dish with such a few ingredients, it makes it even more important to use fresh, quality ingredients. After all, with so few ingredients, you’re sure to pick up on a dud.
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How To Choose Perfect Avocados
Of course, the most crucial element to delicious homemade guacamole is picking the right avocados. We all know how finicky it can be to find a perfectly ripe avocado- but have no fear I’m here for you.
So how can you spot a ripe avocado? There are two methods I’ve been known to use:
The Stem Method: One of the best ways to tell the ripeness of an avocado is by peeking under the stem (usually just a cap, from supermarkets). If the stem won’t easily come free from the avocado, then the avocado isn’t ripe yet. When you peel it off and it’s green underneath, then the avocado should be ripe and green. If it’s browning underneath, then your avocado also likely has brown spots.
The Squeeze Method: I like to combine this with the stem method. Ripe avocados are usually not only darker in color, but they will yield slightly when pressed at the end. It should feel slightly soft but definitely not mushy.
Don’t press too hard, though, as this can cause bruising and will affect the color of the guacamole.
The Authentic Guacamole Recipe
Making homemade guacamole is so simple and easy. Of course, you could always just mash some avocados and squeeze some lime juice on top of them – but adding just a few more fresh ingredients makes for an amazing yet easy authentic guacamole recipe.
The Traditional Version
- 3 ripe avocados
- 1 small red onion
- 2 limes, juiced (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves (or less, to taste)
Although it’s not always used, I like to include coriander (cilantro) into the base guacamole. The amount can be adjusted, to taste, as it has quite a strong flavour.
Optional:
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (126g)
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 green small jalapeño chilli
- Dash of garlic powder
When adding tomato, you’d usually de-seed them first. However, as I used cherry tomatoes, I chose not to do this.
How To Make The Guacamole
Chop the onion, chili, and coriander. Squeeze out the lime juice.
Gently mash the avocados with a fork. Optionally, use a potato masher, till the avocado is creamy and ever so slightly chunky.
Mix the chopped veggies, lime juice (optional) and salt into the avocado mash.
Note* I add jalapeno and cilantro into my base guac. However, these are optional for the base.
Mix and enjoy or take it one step further with some additional ingredients.
For even more nutrients, chop some tomatoes and any of the optional ingredients and add them to the guacamole.
Sprinkle some pepper on top.
Serve with some crackers or tortilla chips – delicious.
How To Keep Your Guacamole Fresh & Stored
Guacamole (and avocado in general) is notoriously difficult to keep fresh and green (because no one likes it when their guac turns brown). Lime juice can certainly help to keep the guacamole from becoming brown for a little while (as can lemon juice but I wouldn’t recommend that for this recipe). However, even that has its limitations. Plus, if you want to keep this recipe lime-juice free then obviously that isn’t an option.
There are two alternative methods that I can suggest:
- The first is laying a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the guacamole, and this should keep the guacamole from turning brown for a couple of days (maximum). I haven’t yet had the chance to see if this would work with beeswax wrap, to avoid single-use plastic.
- The Second Method may sound a little suspect – but it works. And that is to transfer it to an airtight container, pour a small layer of water over the guac ( about 1cm), close the container, and store in the fridge. This can work to keep your guac green for up to three days.
And if you’re wondering if you can freeze guacamole, then the answer is yes. The trick is to keep the guacamole simple – so that means sticking to four ingredients. No watery tomatoes or onions, as they won’t freeze well.
Frozen guacamole can then be stored for up to three months in the freezer. To defrost the guacamole, just leave it to thaw in the fridge – At this point, you can also add in any extras you’d like ( the tomato, onion etc.). Then serve as usual – my favorite way is with some high-fiber crackers or tortilla chips.
You might also like my tips for how to freeze avocado.
Other Recipes You May Like
For other dip recipes, you may like Baba Ganoush or spinach yogurt dip.
As always, if you try this recipe then, let me know. I’d super appreciate a rating or comment. You can also tag me in your recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie.
Simple Fresh Authentic Guacamole (Mexican)
Ingredients
- 2 avocados
- 1 red onion
- 1/4 cup coriander leaves or less, to taste
- 2 limes
- 1/4 tsp salt
Optional
- 1 green chili jalapeño
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (optional)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- There are a couple of variations to this recipe. The base authentic guacamole can be made of just four ingredients; avocado, onion, salt, and lime juice ( which is also technically optional, for some people). However, I also always add the chilli and coriander (cilantro) to my base too. Feel free to omit these, if preferred.
- Finely chop the onion, chilli and coriander.
- Gently mash the avocados with a fork till creamy but still slightly chunky. Optionally, use a potato masher.
- Mix the chopped veggies into the avocado and pour over the lime juice and salt.
- Mix and enjoy!
- For even more nutrients, chop some tomatoes and add them to the guacamole. Sprinkle some pepper on top. Serve with some tortilla chips or crackers.
Video
Notes
How To Keep Your Guacamole Fresh & Stored
Guacamole (and avocado in general) is notoriously difficult to keep fresh and green (because no one likes it when their guac turns brown). Lime juice can certainly help to keep the guacamole from turning brown for a little while (as can lemon juice but I wouldn’t recommend that for this recipe). However, even that has its limitations. Plus, if you’re wanting to keep this recipe lime-juice free then obviously that isn’t an option.There are two alternative methods that I can suggest:
- The first is laying a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the guacamole and this should stop it from going brown for a couple of days (maximum). I haven’t yet had the chance to see if this would work with beeswax wrap, to avoid single-use plastic.
- The Second Method may sound a little suspect – but it works. And that is to transfer it to an airtight container, pour a small layer of water over the guac (about 1cm), close the container, and store in the fridge. This can work to keep your guac green for up to three days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The guacamole was amazing!!
Thank you so much for your comment, Salma. Glad you liked the recipe.