This simple guacamole recipe takes just 15 minutes to make and is made with 8 ingredients! It's loaded with fresh flavor and has the perfect texture combination of both creamy and chunky! We're talking irresistibly delicious!
Don't let how quick and easy this simple guacamole recipe is fool you – it has more flavor and a texture that beats anything you could buy from a store or get in a restaurant! Whenever we order guacamole at a Mexican restaurant, my friends and family immediately say, "Oh my goodness, Amanda, your guac is so much better!" And it really is!
I love serving this simple guacamole as part of a Mexican-inspired appetizer spread, with Elote Corn on the Cob, a bowl of warm crispy tortilla chips, and a pitcher of margaritas! And if you're looking to elevate a weeknight dinner, just spoon this guac on top of this Beef Enchilada Casserole or with these Chicken Tacos!
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Why This Recipe Works
- This guacamole is full of fresh flavor because it's made with with avocados, cilantro, onions, and lime juice!
- Make it as smooth or as chunky as you'd like!
- It's the perfect last minute-appetizer, taking just 15 minutes for this to come together.
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Avocados - have a creamy, buttery texture and are packed with heart-healthy fats. They make guacamole a rich, satisfying, and filling dip. Depending on how much you mash them, you can have a chunky or creamy dip!
- Cilantro - this herb adds a fresh and citrusy pop!
- Shredded Cheese - this ingredient is a bit unconventional in guacamole, but the cheese adds a nice texture and a slightly salty kick that I love!
- Garlic Salt - enhances the other flavors without overpowering them and adds a little hint of garlic in each bite. Use this instead of garlic powder.
- Lime - freshly squeezed lime juice adds the best fresh and tangy flavor and helps keep the avocado from turning brown too quickly.
- Garlic Clove - adds fresh garlic flavor that adds a bit of zest to your guac.
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!
📋 Variations
- Red Onion - this is an optional ingredient, but I always add it in! The red onion adds tons of fresh flavor! If you don't like red onion, you can substitute it with a sweet Vidalia onion or a yellow onion.
- Pomegranate Seeds: some people like a sweet guacamole. If this is you, add in some fresh pomegranate seeds for a super refreshing taste and a bright burst of color!
- Tomatoes: adding a quarter cup or so of fresh diced tomatoes to this simple guacamole recipe will add a depth of flavor.
- Corn: cooked corn adds beautiful color, flavor, and a nice change in texture to guacamole.
- Jalapeño: If you want to add a bit of spice, add some diced Jalapeño! Add some of the seeds in to increase the heat level!
- Fresh Mango: adds the perfect amount of sweetness to guacamole. You can also add fresh diced peaches for a similar effect.
- Cojita Cheese: you can swap the freshly grated cheese for Cotija cheese for a savory flavor and crumbly texture addition.
🛒 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Slice the avocados vertically. This makes it super EASY to pop out the avocado seed!
Step 2: Using a large spoon, scoop out the fresh avocado into a large mixing bowl. You'll want to ensure you scrape all the avocado away from the peel.
Step 3: Slice the limes lime horizontally.
Step 4: Put one of the lime halves in a citrus press a squeeze out the fresh lime juice onto the bowl of avocados.
Step 5: Using a garlic press, mince the clove of garlic and add it to the bowl of avocados.
Step 6: Add in the garlic salt.
Step 7: Next, add shredded cheese into the bowl of avocados. I know...this is different but adding fresh grated cheese makes the flavor pop!
Step 8: Cilantro is absolutely a MUST ingredient. Chop it up finely so you can sprinkle it into the bowl of avocados.
Step 9: Using a hand-held potato smasher or a fork, mix together all the ingredients.
Pro Top
When mashing your avocado, you can either make a creamy or chunky guacamole. I like it somewhere in the middle, with a base of creaminess and little chunks of avocado!
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After all the ingredients are mixed together, you've got yourself a big bowl of homemade guacamole. This simple guacamole recipe is a game changer flavor wise and will quickly become a favorite! Now go grab a tortilla chip, or a bowl of them, and dive in!
🥑 What to Eat With Guacamole
I think the question is what can you NOT eat with guacamole! Here are all the different ways I use guacamole.
- I love adding this homemade guacamole to my Crock Pot Beef Carnitas Tacos with Endive and Avocado Salad. It's also perfectly paired with my Baja-Style Soft Chicken Tacos.
- You can also add it to your homemade burgers.
- Instead of avocado toast, whip up a batch of this simple guacamole recipe to use instead!
- Guacamole is great for breakfast, especially when you are serving it with an egg quiche or a healthy spinach frittata.
- Try eating it on these rotisserie chicken tacos, these cheesy chicken enchiladas, and this beef enchilada casserole!
- Instead of eating chips with your guacamole, try eating fresh veggies like celery, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower with your guac!
- The next time you make a sandwich, spread on a thin layer of guacamole instead of mayonnaise. It's delicious and a much healthier fat than mayonnaise!
🙋🏼♀️ Recipe FAQs
Before storing the bowl of guacamole in the refrigerator, add a tiny bit of water on top of the guacamole so it forms just a thin layer, covering the surface of the dip. Place the lid on, or wrap the top in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. The water keeps air from oxidizing the avocado, which keeps it from turning brown!
Using ripe avocados will give you amazing tasting guacamole with a nice velvety texture. Make sure the avocado is soft under slight pressure. Make sure it's not too soft or blackened when you cut into it. That is an indication that it's beginning to rot.
Expert Tips
- Lime Juice - For the best and freshest flavor, use the juice from a lime and not a bottle. It's an absolute MUST when making this simple guacamole recipe. Bottled juice just doesn't taste the same.
- Roll the lime - If you want ALL the juice to come out of the lime, roll it on a counter or cutting board. By putting pressure on the lime and rolling it, more juice will be released from the lime when squeezing.
- Use a Citrus Press - You get way more juice from your fresh lime using a press.
- Soft Avocados, Not Hard - When picking out your avocados, make sure that when you gently press them, they are soft. Not too soft, though. If the avocado is too hard it won't be as flavorful and will give your guac a rougher texture.
- If using tomatoes - remove the seeds and juice before dicing and adding to the guacamole. Otherwise, the guacamole can get too watery.
🍴More Delicious Dip Recipes
If you tried this simple guacamole recipe or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below ✍🏻. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
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Simple Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
- 8-9 avocados
- 4 limes
- 5 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 Tablespoons shredded cheese, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes, optional
Instructions
- Cut your avocados horizontally. Remove the seed, spoon out the avocado and put into a mixing bowl.
- Squeeze as much of the juice out of your 4 limes as you can into the mixing bowl. I use a citrus press and it works wonders!
- Wash and then chop your fresh cilantro and place into the mixing bowl. Do the same with your onion and garlic clove.
- Sprinkle your cheese in the mixing bowl.
- Add 1 teaspoon of garlic salt.
- I take a potato smasher and smash all my ingredients together in the mixing bowl. I then stir until it’s very well blended. Feel free to add a bit more garlic salt for taste if you feel it needs more.
- Serve with your favorite chips or vegetables. Store all leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Red Onion - this is an optional ingredient in my simple guacamole recipe but I always add it in! The red onion provides HUGE flavor to the guacamole! If you don't like red onion, use a sweet vidalia onion.
- Pomegranate Seeds - some people like a sweet guacamole. If this is you, add in some fresh pomegranate seeds! They provide a super refreshing taste to your guacamole.
- Tomatoes - I like adding a small amount of fresh diced tomatoes into my guacamole!
- Jalapeño - If you want to add a bit of spice to your guacamole, add some diced Jalapeño!
- Lime Juice - For the best and freshest flavor, use the juice from a lime and not a bottle. It's an absolute MUST when making this simple guacamole recipe. Bottled juice just doesn't taste the same.
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Kushi
I can have this anytime of the day. Can't wait to try your version. So delicious.
Amanda Mason
Yes! And it goes with everything!! Enjoy!!
Michelle Blackwood
Wow, love your guacamole recipe, I never thought of adding shredded cheese to the recipe. Sounds very delicious!
Amanda Mason
Thanks! So glad you like it!!
Julie
Homemade guacamole is a must! Those avocados are so perfectly ripe; what a gorgeous color.
Amanda Mason
Thanks! Yes - one of the keys to making good guacamole is to get just the right amount of firmness in the avocados!
Rezel Kealoha
The cheese was a surprise add for me! It's good to know how other make their guac to know the different variations. Thanks for sharing this!