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Perfect Guacamole

Our silky, spicy, cool and creamy homemade guacamole recipe shines at its craveable best when scooped up by crunchy, salted homemade corn chips—a bite of paradise, if you ask us.

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guacamole in a bowl with cilantro and red onion and chips

Perfect Guacamole

The only thing better than this creamy, spicy, homemade guacamole is having homemade corn chips to dip into it. Silky, spicy, verdant cool and creamy guacamole is at its craveable best when scooped up by crunchy, salted homemade corn chips—a bite of paradise, if you ask us.

ingredients laid out for Guacamole avocados, jalapeño, limes, cilantro, garlic salt pepper and red onion

The Best Guacamole Recipe, Ever.

We’ve been making homemade, fresh guacamole for a long time—an unnamed number of years, but let’s just say lots. Lots of years. Which also means we’ve tried many, many guacamole recipes. Time after time we have found that—as with so many things—simpler is better. Just let that little green fruit (it’s a fruit right?) be the star it was destined to be. We’re so excited to share with you what we can 100% confidently say is the best guacamole recipe EVER.

What is Guacamole Made Of?

Simple answer? Avocado. But oh—guacamole is SO much more than avocado. Fresh, bright flavors and no jarred salsa, ever.

Our many years of extremely scientific guacamole recipe research has led us to the knowledge that the makings of truly great, best-ever guacamole are as follows (nothing more, nothing less):

  • Fresh garlic cloves
  • Freshly ground black peppercorn
  • Cilantro leaves
  • Ripe avocados
  • Fresh jalapeño peppers
  • Red onion, finely minced
  • Fresh squeezed lime juice
  • Course salt
6 avocado halves in a bowl
avocados smashed in a bowl with a fork
avocado smashed in a bowl with garlic, salt, pepper, jalapeño, cilantro and red onion
Guacamole in a bowl

How Do You Make Guacamole?

Sometimes, technique is as important as ingredients, and we have found that guacamole—surprisingly—is one of those things that really does benefit from being a stickler for technique. That said, we know that not everyone has a kitchen full of guacamole-specific cookware, so our recipe can be made easily with whatever you have around your kitchen. When all is said and done, it’s mashed up avocado scooped up with crunchy, salty homemade corn chips—no matter what, it will be delicious. Here are a few tips for making our guacamole recipe (i.e. the BEST guacamole recipe ever, on earth, ever in the history of the world.):

  • Our guacamole recipe gets a major dose of fresh vibrancy and herbaceous bite from a combination of freshly ground peppercorns, fresh cilantro, purple onions and fresh garlic cloves. Before you even slice into an avocado, your kitchen will begin to smell heavenly as you begin to chop these authentic Mexican ingredients together.
  • Our guacamole recipe serves four as it is written—or one, if you’re a true guac lover like we are. Feel free to double, triple or even quadruple it.
  • Use a light touch when folding the avocado into the rest of the ingredients, and taste as you go. We like our guacamole with a slightly chunky texture—super scoopable.
Guacamole in a bowl with tortilla chips and lime wedges

How Long Does Guacamole Last?

When it comes to guacamole—as our friends and family have proven to us time and time again—there is no such thing as too much. There are never, ever leftovers. Which is probably a good thing, since (sadly) guacamole doesn’t keep very well. Sure, there are a few tricks to help it hold its color, but guacamole is not really a make-way-ahead dip. Homemade guacamole is more like a swatting-everyone’s-hands-away while you’re still mixing it kind of dip. If you really need to make it ahead, be aware that the color may begin to dull from its bright brilliant green and that jalapeño’s heat will increase and spread the longer the dip sits. In other words, the longer you let the finished guacamole sit, the spicier it will be. You can delay the browning of the avocado somewhat by laying lime slices on top of the guacamole—when you’re ready to serve, just remove the lime slices and give the dip a little stir.

Is Guacamole Healthy?

Are things that make you happy good for you? Then yes! Honestly, though, guacamole isn’t inherently unhealthy—you’ve got “good” monounsaturated fat from the avocado, and a slew of veggies. Vegan, satisfying, and perfect for sharing with a big group of friends—that’s got to be good for you, right? As for the homemade corn chips....well, everything in moderation.

hand holding a tortilla chip with guacamole on it

Tools You’ll Need to Make Guacamole:

Other Dips We Love:

As far as we’re concerned, a really great dip recipe is reason enough to throw a party. Mix up one of these dippable faves, and invite some people over! Get it, people!

Show Us Your Guacamole, Please!

OK, so you’re making this ASAP, right? Snap a photo of your finished guacamole and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you feed it to. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

Perfect Guacamole

  • Serves: 4
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  5 min
  • Calories: 192

Ingredients

  • 3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black peppercorn
  • 3 ripe avocados
  • 1/2 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp course salt

Method

  1. In a medium sized bowl use a fork to smash up ripe avocados. (We like to leave ours a little big chunky.)
  2. Fold in all other ingredients and adjust salt as needed. Serve with homemade corn tortilla chips or your favorite brand of store bought chips.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories192
  • Protein3 g
  • Carbohydrates13 g
  • Total Fat17 g
  • Dietary Fiber8 g
  • Cholesterol0 mg
  • sodium10 mg
  • Total Sugars2 g

Perfect Guacamole

Questions & Reviews

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  • Heather Speers

    Hi!! I love your guac recipe. Do you have a tip for how to avoid it turning brown? I want to make it a couple hours ahead of serving it for a party I’m hosting. Thank you!!

    Yes! I know this sounds strange but cover the top of the bowl with water. Then when you are ready to serve, dump off the water and stir it a few times so that the top isn't wet. You can also press some plastic wrap on the entire surface!

  • Jenn

    This really was perfect guacamole! I don't normally put jalapeno and red onion in mine but the crunch and little bit of heat it added was so good!

    Thanks Jenn! We are so glad you liked it!