Guac lovers each have their personal definition of what makes the Best Guacamole Recipe, and this is mine.

My favorite homemade guacamole blends the best tips I’ve picked up over the years from my mom’s guac, authentic guacamole in Mexico, and a happy pantry accident that we’ve repeated ever since.

This guacamole recipe yields perfect guac that is:

• Not too chunky. Not too smooth. (Same goes for this Loaded Baked Potato Dip.)
• Properly salted and seasoned (no bland guac for us!).
• A little savory (thanks to my mom’s secret ingredient).
• FRESH and vibrant. (Like this Greek Layer Dip.)
• Tastes like a beach vacation!

It is well documented that Ben can devour an entire bowl of this guacamole in one sitting (ditto for this Mexican Corn Dip).

I can’t fault him for the lack of portion control. This simple guacamole recipe is guuuuuuuud.

How to Make The Best Guacamole EVER

You can find as many variations of guacamole as home cooks who prepare them.

• Traditional guacamole is made of avocado, salt, lime, onion, and a spicy element, such as jalapeño.
• Cilantro is also often added (I also like to add cilantro to this 7 Layer Taco Dip).
• I punctuate my guac with additional ingredients that add freshness, crunch, and punch: tomatoes and garlic, plus plenty of citrus juice and several good dashes of hot sauce to bring it to life.

You can keep this a simple guacamole recipe (it’s delish as is) or try one of the variations I’ve suggested below.

The Ingredients

• Avocados. Looks are not everything! For the best guacamole (and Avocado Egg Salad), use Hass avocados, which are dark, brown, and bumpy. They have a superior flavor and creamier texture compared to the sleeker green avocados with bright, shiny skin.

• Lime Juice AND Lemon Juice. Surprise! While lime juice only is traditional for guacamole, a combo is even better. I discovered this happy fact one night when we didn’t have enough limes for a full batch of guacamole, so I supplemented with lemon juice. Now, we don’t make it any other way.
• Kosher Salt. Kosher salt or fine sea salt is the most important thing to add to guacamole to make it taste great. Do not use table salt, which is iodized and has a metallic flavor.

• Worcestershire Sauce. Mom’s secret ingredient (and also my secret to this Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip). While not included in authentic guacamole recipes, it adds a subtle savoriness that makes the guac even harder to stop eating than it already is (you’ve been warned).
• Hot Sauce. My addition to this spicy guacamole recipe to make it the BEST guacamole recipe without jalapeños. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your heat preference. (For another spicy dip, try this Chicken Enchilada Dip.)
• Tomatoes. Does traditional guacamole have tomatoes? It seems people are divided on whether authentic guacamole has tomatoes in it or not. Personally, I think they’re a delicious addition. They add freshness, texture, acidity, and beautiful red color.
• Red Onions. Fresh, crisp, and crunchy. I feel red onions are the best for guacamole but white onions are another nice option with a clean onion flavor.
• Garlic. For that garlicky goodness.

The Directions

1. Slice the avocados in half and remove the pits.

2. Scoop the flesh into a bowl.

3. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl (minus the tomato).

4. Mash until half creamy and half chunky.

5. Stir in the tomato (if using). Add desired toppings and DIG IN!

How to Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown

Homemade guacamole turns brown because an enzyme in the green avocado flesh reacts with oxygen in the air (this process is called oxidation).

That’s why avocado flesh doesn’t turn brown until it is peeled and exposed to air.

To deter browning, the most important tips are:

• Use acid (which in this recipe is the lemon juice and lime juice). Acid is the most important thing you can put in guacamole to keep it from turning brown. It deters oxidation.
• Keep it air tight. When storing the guacamole, use the smallest container possible and press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface to keep the air away from the guacamole as much as possible.

What to Dip with Guacamole

• Tortilla Chips. The classic! Make sure your chips are sturdy enough to stand up to those yummy chunks. I like scoop-style chips.
• Carrots. To make this an extra healthy guacamole recipe, serve it with fresh carrot sticks or baby carrots.
• Pita Chips. A similarly crunchy alternative to tortilla chips.
• Thinly Sliced Red Bell Peppers. Nutritious and delightfully crisp.
• Thinly Sliced Radishes. Their pungent sharpness contrasts deliciously with the cooling, creamy guacamole.

Ways To Use Homemade Guacamole

Storage Tips

• To Store. Tightly pack leftover guacamole into an airtight storage container, cover with plastic wrap, and seal with the lid. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 days.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

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This homemade guacamole has become a household signature for us (served up with a spicy Jalapeño Margarita.)

Grab a few extra avocados the next time you are at the store and make it a signature dish in your home too.

If you’d like to take this guacamole dip to a party, you’re sure to be popular, but be prepared: once your friends try it, they might not let you bring anything else!