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This homemade authentic guacamole recipe is fresh, flavorful, and so easy to make. You’ll never need to buy guacamole again! Plus, it’s only 4 ingredients!!!

A white bowl of fresh guacamole. You can see the cilantro in the guacamole and a few cilantro leaves are on top. There are a few chips on the table next to the bowl.
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Easy Guacamole Recipe

Every year I mean to post an authentic guac recipe as it’s something we make all summer long, but I make it, we can’t wait to dig in, and it’s gone.

The best guacamole recipe is a classic one. If you want a bacon guacamole, I’ve got it. This isn’t that.

What’s in Guacamole?

I have watched every single table-side guacamole being made, I’ve asked my friends who are native to Mexico, I’ve been to Mexico a lot and thoroughly researched and a truly authentic guacamole from scratch is actually just a few ingredients:

  • Avocados
  • Salt
  • Lime Juice
  • Cilantro

How to Make Guacamole

This simple guacamole dip is a breeze to make! Here’s how to make authentic guacamole at home:

  1. Cut open the avocados and remove the pit by hitting the pit with a sharp knife and then twisting to remove (make sure the avocado is resting on the cutting board and NOT in your hand — you don’t want to injure yourself!).
  2. Scoop the flesh into a bowl.
  3. Add chopped cilantro and the juice of half a lime. Sprinkle in a good pinch of salt.
  4. Begin to mash with a fork or use a mortar and pestle.
  5. Taste and add more fresh lime juice if it doesn’t taste very fresh and bright and more salt if it isn’t very flavorful, stirring instead of mashing at this point.
  6. Serve with chips!

Now Watch How this Guacamole is Made…

Guacamole Add-Ins to Try

Sometimes you want to play around with flavor a little more, which is totally fine. Try these simple to more extreme additions when making this homemade guacamole recipe:

  • Black Pepper
  • Jalapeño or Serrano Pepper – minced
  • Red Onions or Onion Powder
  • Garlic or Garlic Powder
  • Chili Powder
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Pineapple
  • Mango
  • Bacon

How Long Does Guacamole Last?

Homemade guacamole will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator. Store-bought guacamole that is unopened will last for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Once it is opened, it should be eaten within 2 days.

A bowl of homemade authentic guacamole with a few cilantro leaves on top. there are two whole limes and tortilla chips in the background and three slices of lime and more chips in front of the bowl.

How to Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown

Guacamole oxidizes really dang quick which makes it turn brown, so storing leftover guacamole properly is key.  The lime juice helps slow this process, but it’s inevitable that leftover guacamole will eventually start to brown.

  1. Place your leftover guacamole in a plastic or glass storage container and smooth it with a spoon so it’s nice and flat.
  2. Add a little cold water on top.
  3. Gently lay plastic wrap over, allowing it to touch the water and create a seal.
  4. Place the lid on the storage container and store it in the fridge.

Ready to enjoy the guacamole again? Drain the water off the top, give it a gentle and quick stir and you’re good to go.

Wrong Ways to Keep Guacamole Green

  • Leaving the pit in the guacamole: This does nothing to prevent browning and there’s no scientific justification for doing this.
  • Lemon juice: Naaah- it changes the flavor and the acid still won’t help.
  • Plastic wrap: Yes, plastic wrap helps but stretching it over the bowl is not going to save it.
A tortilla chip being dipped into a bowl of fresh green guacamole. There are a couple of cilantro leaves on top of the guacamole.

Can You Eat Guacamole That Has Turned Brown?

Even though dark guacamole doesn’t look very appetizing, it is still safe to eat. Oxidation, or exposure to air, is what turns an avocado or guacamole brown or black. If the simple guacamole is slightly discolored, you can still eat it, although the flavor may be a little different.

Can You Freeze Guacamole?

Yes!! You can freeze this authentic guacamole, but you should really use a vacuum sealer — like our favorite Food Saver — which I cannot live without. To merely place in a ziploc bag is okay for a week, but ice crystals will form.

A white bowl of fresh guacamole with cilantro leaves on top. There are two whole limes and a wooden bowl of tortilla chips in the background. There are some more chips and slices of lime in front of the bowl.

What to Eat with Guacamole

This authentic guacamole recipe pairs nicely with pretty much any Mexican-inspired dish. A few of our favorite things to eat with guacamole include:

Tips for Making the BEST Guacamole

Because this authentic guacamole recipe calls for so few ingredients, it’s important that you use all the right ones. Make sure you use ripe avocados, but make sure they are not mushy.

Likewise, use cilantro that’s still vibrant in color and that hasn’t started to wilt yet. Lastly, buy a fresh lime and juice it rather than using juice from a bottle. Trust me, it makes a difference!

The salt in this homemade guacamole recipe is added to taste, so add a little at a time to see how much you need.

A bowl of fresh guacamole with a few cilantro leaves on top. There are tortilla chips scattered on the table in front of the bowl and a partially sliced lime next to the chips. There are two whole lime and a wooden bowl of tortilla chips in the background.

Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of homemade guacamole with this authentic recipe. Made with fresh avocados and traditional Mexican flavors, this guacamole is sure to be a hit at any party or gathering.

More Easy Dip Recipes:

Watch How to Make Guacamole…

4.67 from 6 votes

Authentic Guacamole

By Carrian Cheney
Prep10 minutes
Total10 minutes
Servings10
This homemade authentic guacamole recipe is fresh, flavorful, and so easy to make. You'll never need to buy guacamole again! Plus, it's only 4 ingredients!!!
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Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 

  • 4 Large Avocados
  • 1 Handful Fresh Cilantro, minced
  • ½-1 Lime, juiced
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 Clove Garlic, (optional)
  • 1 Dash Chili Powder, (optional)

Instructions 

  • Place the avocados, cilantro and lime juice in a bowl and use a fork to mash. Season to taste with salt. 
    4 Large Avocados, 1 Handful Fresh Cilantro, ½-1 Lime, Salt
  • Optionally, you can add garlic and chili powder for more flavor if you’re looking to kick things up. 
    1 Clove Garlic, 1 Dash Chili Powder

Recipe Notes

Homemade guacamole will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 130kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Sodium: 8mg, Potassium: 399mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 176IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!
A white bowl of fresh guacamole. You can see the cilantro in the guacamole and a few cilantro leaves are on top. There are a few chips on the table next to the bowl.

About The Author

Carrian Cheney

Carrian Cheney is the creative force behind ‘Oh, Sweet Basil,’ a food blog she co-authors with her husband, Cade. She creates fresh, family-friendly recipes that encourage togetherness in the kitchen.

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4.67 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. Wendy says:

    I just use garlic salt. Just my preference for a milder garlic flavour.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Thanks for the feedback Wendy!

  2. Ali says:

    Leaving the pit in the guacamole DOES prolong its shelf-life. I’ve been making guacamole for over 15yrs and I wasn’t until I started leaving the pit in (1 for each avocado used) that I noticed a significant increase in overall durability of leftovers.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Hi Ali! I appreciate your perspective and experience so much! I haven’t seen any difference for me, but if it works for you, then it might work for other people too! Thanks for taking time to leave a comment!