This is my simple and delicious guacamole recipe made with avocados, lime, onion, serrano peppers, garlic, cilantro and lime. I love guacamole. It is one of my favorite snacks. I have some of the best memories of my mom, who grew up in New Mexico and makes great Mexican/Tex-Mex food, making these huge bowls (think salad bowl size) of guacamole that we would eat until we were completely full (and we would always finish every single bite). I’ve mentioned before that when I was a kid in the south of Ecuador we didn’t have any Mexican restaurants anywhere close. Most of my friends had no idea what a quesadilla or an enchilada were and discovered these thanks to my mom – my friends loved to hang out at my house, in part because they knew my mom would cook some good food (of course I loved to hang out at my friends’ places to eat their moms’ food).
Guacamole
Ingredients
- 3 ripe avocados
- 1/2-1 lime - adjust to taste
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 2 finely chopped serrano peppers deveined and seeded - can also use jalapeños or your choice of spicy peppers - omit if you don't want a spicy guacamole
- 1-2 garlic cloves crushed (optional)
- 2 tbs finely chopped cilantro
- Salt to taste
- Optional – 1-2 tomatoes diced
Instructions
- Slice the avocados lengthwise and remove the seeds.
- Use a spoon to remove the avocado flesh, place it in a large bowl, drizzle the lime juice on top, and mash the avocados until pureed, I like to leave a few small chunks to give it some consistency.
- Add the diced onion, peppers, crushed garlic, chopped cilantro, tomatoes (if using) and salt to taste, mix well and serve immediately as a dip with chips or a side dish.
One thing that drives me crazy is that sometimes it seems impossible to find decent guacamole at restaurants. I use the quality of a restaurant’s guacamole to judge whether I’ll go back or not, seriously it’s just avocados, limes, onion, cilantro and salt, how hard is it to mess that up? I have to mention though that my favorite fast food place, Chipotle, has some of the best guac you can get at any fast food restaurant. It’s fresh and simple: avocados, onions, hot peppers, cilantro, and lime. So if they can get right why can every other Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant do the same?
The other thing that annoys me is that the places that actually get it right are so freaking stingy with the guac. In my opinion it should be automatically included as a side on all dishes, but it usually isn’t and you have to pay an extra $5 to get some. Good thing I don’t eat out too frequently and just make my own guacamole at home. And, yes, I let everyone eat as much as they want. I try to keep it simple and don’t usually add tomatoes unless I’m running low on avocados and need to maximize the amount I’m making – or I just a some diced tomatoes on top or on the side for those who want them. My mom always added garlic to her recipe and I like the taste it gives it, but feel free to leave it out if you’re not a garlic lover, same thing for the serrano peppers.
Step by step photos for homemade guacamole:
I used this recipe to make guacamole for the very first time this week. It was AMAZING. I completely know what you mean about the restaurants failing on a simple dish. I thought I didn’t like guacamole due to a disappointing serving a tried at a restaurant once a long time ago. I finally tried it again at a different restaurant and realized that it can be delicious, however, this recipe even beats that! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and for including the tip about keeping the avocado seed in the guacamole. I did that and kept it sealed in my fridge for the 4 days it took for me to eat it all and it stayed super fresh and vibrant!
I made this today with my friend and we ate most of it between the two of us. This is my new favorite recipe! Thank you!
I just made guacamole following your recipe and it is delicious!
I love it! The chili peppers are a must. That’s one thing the restaurants don’t add enough of!