
Authentic Mexican Guacamole
Perfectly ripe avocados mashed with lime, jalapeño and coriander — the world's favourite dip, made the authentic Mexican way, chunky and fresh.
About This Recipe
Guacamole originates with the Aztecs, who made a sauce called ahuacamolli ('avocado sauce') using molcajetes (stone mortars). The authentic recipe is deliberately simple — ripe avocado, acid, heat and salt. The technique of making it in a molcajete crushes rather than blends, preserving the chunky texture that distinguishes great guacamole from average.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 3ripe Hass avocados
- 1lime(juiced)
- 1/2white onion(finely diced)
- 1jalapeño(finely minced (seeds optional))
- 1/2 bunchfresh coriander (cilantro)(roughly chopped)
- 1garlic clove(minced (optional))
- 1 tspflaky sea salt
- 1medium tomato(deseeded, finely diced)
Instructions
- 1
Salt the onion
Place diced onion in a fine sieve and rinse with cold water. Pat dry. This removes harsh pungency and keeps the guacamole fresh-tasting.
- 2
Mash the avocado
Halve avocados, remove stone. Scoop flesh into a bowl or molcajete. Add salt and half the lime juice. Mash to your preferred texture — chunky is traditional.
The avocado stone in the bowl doesn't prevent browning — lime juice and plastic wrap pressed directly to the surface does.
- 3
Fold in the aromatics
Add onion, jalapeño, coriander and garlic. Fold gently — don't stir aggressively or it becomes a paste.
- 4
Add tomato and season
Fold in tomato. Taste and adjust: more lime for brightness, more salt for depth, more jalapeño for heat.
Did you make this?
Rate it and help other cooks find the recipes that actually work.
One tap to sign in, and we'll save the rating you just picked.
Everything you need to plan your week — free
- Meal calendar
- Grocery list
- AI recipe ideas
Track what you eat
Snap your meal to log calories and macros, run fasting timers and track water in the free SnapCal app.
Pro Tips
- →
The avocado must be ripe — it should yield to firm pressure. Underripe avocado has no flavour.
- →
Make it immediately before serving — guacamole browns within 30 minutes of exposure to air.
- →
White onion, not red — red onion is too sweet and turns the guacamole pink.
Variations
- •
Add mango for sweetness and tropical flavour.
- •
Pomegranate guacamole: fold in pomegranate seeds — beautiful and tart.
Storage
Press cling film directly onto the surface. Keeps 4 hours refrigerated — add a lime squeeze before serving.
History & Origin
The Aztecs made ahuacamolli (avocado sauce) for centuries before Spanish conquistadors arrived. Spanish missionaries documented the recipe in 1601. Modern guacamole emerged in the 20th century as avocados became commercially available across North America.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ripen avocados quickly?
Place them in a paper bag with a banana or apple — the ethylene gas accelerates ripening. At room temperature, most avocados ripen in 2–3 days.
How do I keep guacamole from turning brown?
Press cling film directly onto the surface so no air reaches it, and add extra lime juice — the acid slows oxidation. A little browning on top is harmless; just stir or scrape it off before serving.
Can I make guacamole without tomato?
Yes — some traditional versions skip tomato entirely to keep the avocado flavour front and centre. It's a matter of preference; leave it out if you prefer a purer, less watery dip.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (150g / 5.3 oz) · 4 servings total
Time Summary
Have Questions?
Ask our AI cooking assistant anything about this recipe — substitutions, techniques, scaling.
Chat with AI Chef →More Mexican Recipes
You Might Also Like
Similar dishes from other cuisines around the world.
Browse by Ingredient
More recipes built around the same core ingredients.
Free Kitchen Tools
Calculators and converters that pair with this page — no signup needed.
Put This Into a Plan
Schedule it, shop for it, and track what you already have.
Read Next
Longer reads that go deeper on the ideas behind this dish.
Community
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment and save your favourite recipes