Guacamole (Authentic Mexican Avocado Dip)

About This Recipe

Authentic guacamole is not a smooth purée — it is a rough mash with visible chunks of avocado, made fresh in a molcajete (lava stone mortar) moments before eating. The foundation is ripe Hass avocados with their nutty, creamy flavour, but the balance between lime juice, salt, finely diced white onion, serrano chilli, fresh coriander and diced tomato is what elevates it from avocado mash to something transcendent. The molcajete is important: it extracts flavour from the aromatics before the avocado is added, creating a more integrated result than simply mixing in a bowl. In Mexico, guacamole is both a condiment (alongside every taco) and a standalone dish with tortilla chips.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 3 largeripe Hass avocados
• 1serrano or jalapeño chilli, minced
• 3 tbspwhite onion, finely diced
• 3 tbspfresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
• 2 tbsplime juice
• 1plum tomato, seeded and finely diced
• 0.75 tspsalt

Instructions

1. 1

   Pound aromatics

   In a molcajete or bowl, combine diced onion, chilli and a pinch of salt. Pound or mash to a rough paste.

2. 2

   Add coriander

   Add half the coriander and mash briefly into the aromatics.

3. 3

   Add avocado

   Halve avocados, remove stone and scoop flesh. Add to the molcajete and mash roughly — leave some chunks for texture. Mix with the aromatics.

4. 4

   Season

   Add lime juice and salt. Taste and adjust — guacamole should be bright and vibrant, not flat.

5. 5

   Finish

   Fold in diced tomato and remaining coriander. Serve immediately.

Variations

• •

  Add a tablespoon of pomegranate seeds for a sweet, jewelled version.

• •

  Charred corn guacamole: fold in grilled corn kernels for texture and sweetness.

Storage

Best served immediately. Press plastic wrap onto the surface and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions