Authentic Guacamole
Guacamole
A simple, raw mash of ripe avocados, lime, cilantro, jalapeño, and white onion. It provides exceptional heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber, provided it isn't treated merely as a dip for endless fried chips.
Time
10m
Servings
4
Difficulty
easy
Budget
$$
The Story
The name comes from the Aztec Nahuatl word 'āhuacamolli,' which literally translates to 'avocado sauce.' For the Aztecs, the avocado held immense nutritional and cultural value due to its high fat content in a diet otherwise very low in fats. Authentic guacamole is rustic and chunky, typically made in a molcajete (volcanic stone mortar and pestle), and crucially, never contains fillers like sour cream or mayonnaise.
✓Healthy Swaps & Tips
- • Instead of eating with a large bowl of fried tortilla chips, serve guacamole over grilled chicken, alongside eggs, or use carrot and jicama sticks for dipping.
- • Add diced tomatoes or cucumber to bulk up the volume of the guacamole while lowering the overall caloric density.
Ingredients
- 3 largeripe avocadosHass variety preferred
- ¼ cupwhite onionvery finely diced
- ¼ cupfresh cilantrofinely chopped
- 1jalapeño or serrano pepperminced
- 1-2 tbspfresh lime juice
- ½ tspsaltcoarse sea salt is best
Instructions
In a bowl (or a molcajete if you have one), mash the finely diced onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and salt together to release their essential oils.
Halve the avocados, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into the bowl.
Using a fork, gently mash the avocado into the onion mixture. Stop while it is still quite chunky; good guacamole should not be a smooth purée.
Fold in the lime juice. Taste and adjust salt or lime as needed.
Serve immediately.
Common Questions
How do I keep guacamole from turning brown?
The browning is oxidation. The acid in the lime juice helps, but to store it, press a piece of plastic wrap directly flush against the surface of the guacamole to block all air exposure.
Nutrition per serving
Estimated values based on standard ingredients.
Nutrition info is provided as a general guide. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredient brands and portion sizes.
