Fresh, simple ingredients make this basic guacamole recipe shine, and it comes together in just 15 minutes! It's the perfect healthy snack for any celebration, game day, or gathering.
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Why You'll Love This Avocado Dip Recipe
My go-to basic guacamole recipe is easy enough to throw together in 15 minutes, and trust me... once you try it, you'll understand why I make it on repeat. My husband isn't a fan, which means more for me, and I am perfectly okay with that. I didn't grow up eating a lot of avocados, but over the years, they've completely made their way into my diet, and this guacamole is a big reason why.
What makes this recipe stand out is the secret ingredient: tequila. Just a small amount works as the magical tie that binds all the fresh flavors together. You won't taste the booze, I promise. It's such a small amount, but it makes a real difference. And if you'd rather leave it out, this guacamole will still be absolutely delicious. Here's why you've got to try it:
- Ready in 15 minutes
- Fresh, simple ingredients
- Better than store-bought
- Perfect for a crowd
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Avocados- The star of the show. Make sure they're nice and ripe for the best results.
- Onion- Diced small for the best texture throughout. Red onions works as a substitute. For a milder favor, soak the diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes and drain well before adding to the bowl.
- Garlic- Minced fresh for the best flavor. Garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Roma tomatoes- Seeded and diced. Roma tomatoes work best here as they have less moisture than other varieties.
- Jalapeño- Finely diced. Leave the seeds in if you like extra heat.
- Cilantro- Roughly chopped. If you're not a cilantro fan, simply leave it out!
- Tequila- The secret ingredient, just a splash. It ties all the flavors together without tasting like booze. Leave it out if you prefer.
- Limes- Fresh lime juice to taste. If you’re out, fresh lemon juice works in a pinch.
- Ground cumin- Adds warmth and depth.
- Chili powder- For a subtle kick.
- Black pepper- Freshly cracked, to taste. Cayenne pepper works as a spicier substitute.
- Kosher salt- To taste.
How To Make This Avocado Dip
Step 1- Mash the avocado.
Remove the flesh from the peel and add it to a bowl. Mash the avocados until the overall texture is smooth but still with a decent amount of texture.
Step 2- Add the vegetables.
Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, and cilantro to the bowl. Mix well.
Step 3- Season.
Season with salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder to taste.
Step 4- Add tequila and lime.
Stir in the tequila and lime juice, then give it a taste. Adjust lime and spices until you have the balance you're looking for.
Step 5- Serve.
Serve immediately (or within the next few hours) to avoid browning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Classic salted tortilla chips are the go-to, but thick restaurant-style chips hold up best for scooping. Pita chips or even sliced veggies work great too if you want a lighter option.
Yes, but it's best made fresh and served within a few hours. If you do make it ahead, refrigerate until ready to serve. I like to put plastic wrap on top making sure it's touching the entire surface to try and prevent browning, but give it a good mix before serving.
Gently press the skin. A ripe avocado will give slightly under pressure without feeling mushy.
Tips For Making Avocado Guacamole
- Don't over-mash the avocado. Use a fork instead of a food processor. It gives you much better control over the texture and keeps a few small chunks intact for a better dip.
- Taste as you go. The ingredient amounts are a starting point! Add more lime, salt, or heat until it tastes exactly how you want it.
- Start with perfectly ripe avocados. It's what separates a good avocado guacamole recipe from a great one! Underripe ones will be bland and difficult to mash, while overripe ones will create a dip that's too loose.
- The tequila amount is tiny, no more than half a shot for three avocados. A little goes a long way.
- If your guacamole is too spicy, add an extra mashed avocado to dilute the heat or a little extra lime juice to balance it out.
- To prevent browning, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole before covering and refrigerating.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Dice the onion, tomatoes, jalapeño, and cilantro ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
- Leftovers and storage- Store covered tightly in the fridge for up to 2 days, with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface.
What To Serve With This Authentic Guacamole
Guacamole is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dip, perfect alongside chips, tacos, nachos, or anything with a Mexican-inspired spread. Here are some of my favorite options:
Other Easy Appetizers To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Basic Guacamole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 avocados ripe
- ½ cup onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 roma tomatoes seeded and diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper diced (if you like it extra spicy, leave the seeds in)
- ¼ cup cilantro roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or cayenne pepper
- ½ shot of tequila ¾ of an ounce
- 2 limes juice to taste
- Chips for dipping and a big old Margarita!
Instructions
- Mash up the avocado so that it is smooth with a decent amount of texture to it.
- Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeńo and cilantro and mix well.
- Season the guacamole to taste with salt pepper, cumin and chili powder.
- Add the tequila and lime juice and taste until you have the balance that you're looking for.
- Serve immediately or within the next few hours.
Video
Notes
- Don't over-mash the avocado. Use a fork instead of a food processor. It gives you much better control over the texture and keeps a few small chunks intact for a better dip.
- Taste as you go. The ingredient amounts are a starting point! Add more lime, salt, or heat until it tastes exactly how you want it.
- Start with perfectly ripe avocados. It's what separates a good avocado guacamole recipe from a great one! Underripe ones will be bland and difficult to mash, while overripe ones will create a dip that's too loose.
- The tequila amount is tiny, no more than half a shot for three avocados. A little goes a long way.
- If your guacamole is too spicy, add an extra mashed avocado to dilute the heat or a little extra lime juice to balance it out.
- To prevent browning, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole before covering and refrigerating.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Dice the onion, tomatoes, jalapeño, and cilantro ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
- Leftovers and storage- Store covered tightly in the fridge for up to 2 days, with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface.
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