This easy guacamole recipe is the best guac ever! Thanks to a secret ingredient, it’s deliciously savory and more flavorful than any other guacamole you’ve had. One dip into this flavorful guacamole and it will become your new go-to guac recipe.

Guacamole Ingredients

While this recipe is not an authentic guacamole recipe, we do believe it is the best and easiest guacamole recipe you can make. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

  • Avocados: The star of the show! Use two large avocados for every 4 people you plan to serve. Seek out avocados that have a dark brownish-black exterior and have some squishy give when you lightly press them. They shouldn’t be very soft and they shouldn’t be rock hard.
  • Red onion: You can use any kind of onion in guacamole, but we find red onion works the best. Just a touch of minced red onions goes a long way.
  • Jalapeño: For some authentic spice, add a bit of minced jalapeño to the mix. If you like things spicy, keep the ribs and seeds of the pepper intact prior to mincing. Want it mild? Remove the ribs and seeds prior to mincing. And if you like it really spicy, use minced serrano or a red hot chile.
  • Lime juice: Make sure you are using fresh squeeze lime juice here! Lime is one of the most important ingredients in guacamole. You should only need 1 lime for this recipe.
  • Garlic: Like the lime, fresh garlic is best here! Grab a fresh head of garlic and use one large clove from it.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Just a splash of Worcestershire adds an incredible savory element without screaming “Worcestershire!” This pantry staple is a simple and easy way to up your guac game. We highly recommend giving it a try.
  • Spices: A simple combination of ground coriander and cumin works wonderfully in guacamole. If you only have one of the two, that’s ok! Just use 1 teaspoon of whichever spice you have.
  • Cilantro: Another key ingredient in guacamole is fresh cilantro! We like a lot of cilantro, so if you’re only a partial-fan, start with a little less than we call for.
guacamole in a speckled shallow bowl with tortilla chips and an orange glass set around it

How to Make Guacamole

Homemade guacamole is easy and simple to make! Here’s how to make our homemade fresh guacamole:

  1. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pit, then scoop the flesh from the skins. Discard the skins and pits.
  2. Mash the avocado until slightly smooth, but still fairly chunky. You can mash using a fork or potato masher.
  3. Add the onion, jalapeño, lime juice, garlic, Worcestershire, coriander and cumin. Mix to combine using a fork.
  4. Stir in the cilantro and season to taste with salt and pepper.

How to Store Guacamole (and Keep It Green)

To store prepared guacamole, transfer it to a glass container and pack down to release any air bubbles. Slowly pour cold water over top of guacamole to cover, then secure lid and refrigerate. When ready to eat, pour water out of container, stir guacamole and serve.

Alternatively, instead of covering with water, you can press a piece of plastic wrap over surface of guacamole before securing lid. This isn’t as foolproof as the water method, but still works well!

If neither of these options sound good to you, try this guacamole saver!

How to Cut an Avocado

Cutting avocados can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! Here is our favorite method for cutting avocados:

  1. Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut the avocado in half, lengthwise, by running the knife around the avocado.
  2. Open the avocado into two halves. Arrange cut-side up. Holding the tapered end, steady the avocado half with the pit on the cutting board.
  3. Firmy, yet carefully, drop the knife blade into the pit to secure it in the pit.
  4. Pull the pit out with the knife.
  5. Using a towel, carefully pull the pit off of the blade and discard the pit.
  6. Once the pit is removed you can either peel off the skin, scoop the flesh of the avocado out with a spoon, or cut a grid in the flesh and scoop it out into pieces.
three avocados on a grid background with text underneath avocados

How to Choose Ripe Avocados

There can be a fine line between an unripe avocado, perfectly ripe avocado and over-ripe avocado. Here is how to choose a ripe avocado:

  • A ripe avocado will have a dark brownish-black exterior. Green avocados are usually under-ripe.
  • Ripe avocados should “give” a little when lightly pressed without leaving an indentation. They should not be rock hard and they should not be very soft or mushy.
  • A ripe avocado will have a bumpy skin while an unripe avocado will have a fairly smooth skin.

Test Kitchen Tips

  • Avoid mashing the avocado too much prior to adding the other ingredients. Mixing will inherently smooth out the guacamole even more and the key to a good guac is a bit of chunk!
  • Wait to season the guacamole until all of the ingredients have been added. Worcestershire adds salt, so you want to season the mix after that has been added.

Why This is The Best Guacamole Recipe

We stand firm in our stance that this is the best guacamole recipe you can make! It’s simple without too many mix-ins or added flavors. We find some guacamole recipes have too many added ingredients like tomatoes, corn and sometimes even salsa.

Aside from simplicity being on our side, we add an unconventional ingredient that truly make this recipe stand out from all others. Worcestershire sauce. It add the most incredible depth of flavor and savoriness to this guacamole—making it absolutely addictive.

guacamole in a speckled shallow bowl with tortilla chips and an orange glass set around it

What to Serve with Guacamole

It’s very classic to serve guacamole with tortillas chips but that’s just the beginning! Here’s a list of ways to eat this amazing guacamole and what to serve with it.

  1. Serve guacamole with Korean-Inspired Nachos.
  2. Serve guacamole with all kinds of taco recipes.
  3. Dip our Mexican Pinwheels in guacamole.
  4. Serve guacamole as a veggie dip with an array of fresh veggies.
  5. Add guac to burritos
  6. Use guacamole as a dip for quesadillas instead of sour cream.
  7. Serve guacamole with Vegetarian Chili and warm tortillas.
  8. Make avocado toast with guacamole!
  9.  Use leftover guacamole instead of mayo or cream cheese in sandwiches
  10. Swap out mayo for guacamole in your favorite deviled egg recipe.
  11. Top our shrimp burgers with a schmear of heart-healthy guacamole
  12. Dollop guacamole over Migas Tacos for the ultimate breakfast recipe!

FAQs

How to make guacamole with hard avocados?

If your avocados are so hard they won’t mash, we recommend mincing them and making a sort of salsa. Peel and pit the avocado as you normally would, then cut the flesh into a fine mince and mix with the rest of the ingredients.

What are some good combinations for guacamole?

The options are endless for homemade guacamole! For a hint of fire-roasted flavor add fire-roasted corn and drained fire-roasted tomatoes. For something ultra-fresh and summery, add chopped tomatoes, garden fresh cilantro and chopped scallions (green onions). Then for something a little more elegant, spread the mashed avocado into a shallow bowl or on a platter and top with chopped parsley, pomegranate seeds, pickled shallots and lemon zest.

Does tomato fit in guacamole?

Absolutely! A lot of people enjoy fresh tomatoes in their guacamole. Our base recipe doesn’t include them for simplicity sake. But if you like tomatoes and have some, add them! Fresh is always best but drained canned tomatoes can also be used.

What’s the best way to mash an avocado?

If you’ve got perfectly ripe avocados, we recommend mashing with a fork. A fork mashes the avocado just enough without totally pulverizing it. If your avocados are a but harder, use a potato masher.

Can guacamole be made ahead?

You can make guacamole ahead, though we prefer to serve it immediately after making. If you’re making it ahead, here are two methods for storing it:
Transfer guacamole it to a glass container and pack it down to release any air bubbles. Slowly pour cold water over top of guacamole to cover, then secure lid and refrigerate. When ready to eat, pour water out of container, stir guacamole and serve.
Alternatively, instead of covering with water, you can press a piece of plastic wrap over surface of guacamole before securing lid. This isn’t as foolproof as the water method, but still works well!
If neither of those options sound good to you, try this guacamole saver!

Can you substitute lemon juice for lime juice in guacamole?

Absolutely! The key is to add some kind of acid to balance flavors and to keep the avocado from browning. Lime pairs better with avocado, but lemon will also work.

Easy Fresh Guacamole Recipe

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Yield 1 ½ cups (6 servings)
Category Appetizer, Dip
Cuisine Mexican

Description

The best ever guacamole recipe that's loaded with fresh flavors and a secret ingredient that makes it ultra-savory.

Ingredients

  • 2 large avocados, halved and pitted
  • 3 tablespoons minced red onion
  • 2 tablespoon minced jalapeño
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • Kosher and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Scoop flesh from avocados into a medium bowl; discard skins. Mash avocado with a fork or potato masher until chunky.
  • Add onion, jalapeño, lime juice, garlic, Worcestershire, coriander, and cumin; mix to combine with a fork.
  • Stir in cilantro and season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  • Serve guacamole as desired with tortilla chips, tacos, enchiladas and more.

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Notes

To make this vegan: use a dash of soy sauce or liquid aminos in place of the Worcestershire. 
If you need it gluten-free and vegan, use liquid aminos. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1/3 cupCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 167mgPotassium: 487mgFiber: 7gSugar: 1g
Like this? Leave a comment below!I love hearing from you and I want to hear how it went with this recipe! Leave a comment and rating below, then share on social media @zestfulkitchen and #zestfulkitchen!
guacamole in a speckled shallow bowl with tortilla chips and an orange glass set around it

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About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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