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This authentic Mexican guacamole recipe is deliciously creamy and easy to make. With a fascinating ancient history and an exciting present, this is the best guacamole, ever.
Table of contents
What is Mexican Guacamole?
In its simplest form, guacamole is simply mashed avocados and spices. A dish with a long and rich history, guacamole comes from the Aztecs in Mexico.
The word guacamole is related to the Aztec word for avocado. In Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Aztec, it is āhuacamolli.
The first part is the Nahuatl word for avocado. And, mōlli means “sauce.”
Today, most of the world’s avocados come from the Mexican state of Michoacan.
Discovering Mexican Guacamole in Mexico
Surprisingly, guacamole is not readily available at local restaurants in Mexico, unless you order it. Instead, you’re more likely to find a variety of salsas or sauces.
Salsa verde or green sauce is one of the most popular salsas in Mexico and is sometimes made with avocados.
Lighter and thinner than guacamole, it tends to be paired with tacos de carne or meat tacos. In Oaxaca, you’ll find salsa verde on every table to accompany the local specialty tlayudas or Oaxaca-style pizza.
You will most likely find guacamole in restaurants frequented by tourists. Also, seafood restaurants will have it on the menu to go with ceviche or seafood tacos.
We enjoyed delicious Mexican guacamole on a Secret food tour in Mexico City.
And importantly, we learned how to make authentic Mexican guacamole in a cooking class in Oaxaca with La Cocina Oaxaquena.
This Mexican guacamole recipe is the one we made in our cooking class. We invite you to taste authentic Mexican flavors, courtesy of Chef Gerardo Aldeco of La Cocina Oaxaquena.
Authentic Food Quest Tip: If your Mexico travels take you to Oaxaca, we recommend taking a cooking class at La Cocina Oaxaquena. With a local family, you will learn to make a number of Oaxaca specialties. This cooking class starts with a market visit and includes local beverages like Mezcal.
Brief History of Mexican Guacamole
The Aztec’s dominated central Mexico in the 14th to 16th centuries. They are believed to have made guacamole purely from mashed avocados.
At the time, Mexican guacamole was very popular for its high fat and protein content. Further, the Aztec believed guacamole to be an aphrodisiac, further increasing its popularity.
When the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, they turned the name “ahuacatl” into “aguacate” to today’s Spanish word for “avocado.” And, ”āhuacamolli” became “guacamole.
Guacamole has grown in popularity around the world. In the United States, more than 139 million pounds of avocados are eaten on Superbowl day alone.
How To Make Authentic Mexican Guacamole At Home
This authentic Mexican guacamole is really easy to whip at home. The simple preparation and fresh flavors make it one of the most iconic Mexican dips.
There are only a few ingredients needed in this authentic Mexican guacamole recipe.
The most important is the quality of the avocados. You want to pick ripe avocados that are soft but not squishy.
Authentic Mexican Guacamole Recipe Ingredients
- 4 ripe avocados
- White onion
- Garlic, 3 cloves
- Cilantro
- 1 lime, freshly squeezed
- Chilis serranos or jalapenos depending on your spice tolerance
- Salt to taste
How to Pick Ripe Avocados
To make guacamole, you want the avocados to be ripe, slightly soft to the touch. However, you don’t want them to be so soft that they become mushy.
When they are soft, they will give you creamy textures, perfect for your guacamole.
How to Keep Guacamole Fresh
There are several tricks and tips to store guacamole and keep it from turning brown.
One popular theory is to put the guacamole in glass Tupperware and pour water or lime juice on its surface.
Before you pour the water or lime juice, first smoothen and even out the surface of the guacamole. The water or lime juice acts as a seal, preventing the avocado from turning brown.
It’s an option. But our recommendation and best tip, is to make it fresh at the last minute and simply eat it all.
Tips for Making Mexican Guacamole at Home
How to Cut Avocado and Remove the Seed
The best way to remove the seed from the avocado is to cut the avocado across at its midsection.
Use your knife to pick up the seed and delicately remove it from the core of the avocado.
Mexican Guacamole Spice Levels
Depending on your spice tolerance, you can use chili serrano to make this Mexican guacamole spicy.
For less spice, go with jalapenos peppers which are typically milder than chili serranos.
Guacamole Variations with Tomatoes
Some Mexican guacamoles call for tomatoes. If you are a tomato lover, feel free to add some. Choose Roma tomatoes, about one tomato, for two avocados used.
Typically, when we’ve made guacamole in the past, we’ve always added tomatoes. This was our first time having guacamole without tomatoes and we loved it.
We like the creamy avocado flavors, which are not influenced by juicy tomatoes.
Try this Mexican guacamole recipe and see what you think. Nonetheless, if you want to add tomatoes, simply chop them up and add them slowly to the mashed avocado mixture.
What Kind of Onions to Make Mexican Guacamole
The type of onion you choose will add a different dimension to the avocado flavors. Red and yellow onions are less obtrusive, while white onions will offer a sharp bite.
This authentic Mexican guacamole recipe calls for white onion. We’ve made guacamole with red onions in the past and they are also a good alternative.
Feel free to substitute white onion with red onion regarding your preference.
Tortilla Chips or Tostadas with Guacamole
Finally, great Mexican guacamole deserves fresh and crunchy tostadas. We prefer purple corn to regular yellow corn, which are lighter, thinner, and easier to digest.
We recommend the organic blue corn chips for a refined taste that will pair well with your homemade Mexican guacamole.
Authentic Mexican Guacamole
This authentic Mexican guacamole recipe is deliciously creamy and easy to make. Simply combine avocados, onion, cilantro, pepper, lime juice, garlic, and salt for a fresh and irresistible dip.
Ingredients
- 4 medium avocados, ripe
- 1/2 medium white onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 handful of cilantro
- 1 lime
- 1 to 2 chilis serranos or jalapenos depending on your spice tolerance
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Chop onion, garlic, cilantro, and chiles and place on the side
- Cut the avocados in half and remove the seeds
- Mash the avocados one at a time and add lime juice and salt to taste
- Add the chopped condiments into the bowl of mashed avocado
- Mix well to a consistency you like
- Serve with blue corn tortilla chips
Notes
You can use a blender if you prefer your guacamole very smooth. We personally like our Mexican Guacamole chunky. In this case, use a pestle and mortar or a fork to mash in a bowl.
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Claire is a culinary explorer, digital nomad and engineer brain behind Authentic Food Quest. Together with her partner, Rosemary, they created Authentic Food Quest to help people find the best local food on their travels. For over 5 years they have eaten their way through South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America while sharing the best local food experiences on their website. Authentic Food Quest has been featured on top publications such as Huffington Post, Business Insider, and Honest Cooking. Claire and Rosemary are also authors of Authentic Food Quest Argentina and Authentic Food Quest Peru, available on Amazon.
Hi guys! We eat a lot of avocados here in SoCal. I have found that the best way to remove the seed is to “tomahawk” it hard with a big sharp knife. Then simply twist, and the seed, stuck to the knife, will easily come out without damaging the rest of the avocado. Thanks for all the info and Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Hi Stephen, hope all is well in SoCal. Yes, using a sharp knife and twisting the avocado after cutting it helps. Glad you enjoyed the article and hope you had an enjoyable Cinco de Mayo. Did you make the guacamole? Can’t wait to see your pics. Cheers
Sounds like the perfect summer time snack. I would drop the cilantro though. For some reason, I can’t abide by it LOL
I must try this! I love guacamole and this looks incredible. I’ve never tried to make it on my own.
So easy to make, Amber. Give it a try and let us know what you think. Cheers.
That was such a cool post! I used to hate guac, until a few years ago and now I can’t get enough. I also am dying to get my own Mexican molcajete to mash up those avocados at home! This looks really amazing. Thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome Andrew. So glad you enjoyed the article and that you now enjoy guac. So good!!
Awesome post and very detailed. I have yet to travel to Mexico to enjoy some of this food.
Thank you Amanda, for your feedback and so glad you enjoyed the article. While waiting to travel to Mexico, bring a taste of the country home with this simple recipe. You’ll love it. Cheers.
So yummy nothing best than an authentic guacamole experience I am from Mexico and you did great with this recipe always enjoy your postings.
Ahhh, thank you Adriana. Your feedback means a lot to us, especially as a Mexican. We are truly enjoying the local Mexican flavors. So much amazing food. Delicious country indeed.
I am definitely a big fan of Mexican food! And this Mexican Guacamole will be one of my favorites. Looks really creamy and super delicious.
And super easy to make, Dennis. Can’t wait to hear what you think about it. Cheers.
It’s the perfect summer appetizer for my family! My whole family loves it a lot!
I really love Mexican Guacamole so much and this recipe of yours is perfect! I can’t wait to try making this!
Yeah…great to hear. Please tag us with your picture of how it turns out. Cheers.
I am a huge fan of avocado and I love guac, but honestly, I’ve never tried preparing one. Thanks for the recipe. It looks so easy to make.
Great to hear, Lynndee. In only a few minutes you can enjoy delicious guacamole at home. Give it a try, it is super simple to make. Cheers.
I love making guacamole. It’s one of my favorite dips for chips. It’s so healthy and delicious. I love it.
Could not agree more, Kathy. Do you use tomatoes in your guacamole?
I love Mexican Guacamole. I lived in Mexico for six years and I enjoy preparing a lot of the recipes I learned there.
Great to hear Lizzie. Indeed the avocados in Mexico are amazing. Great place to explore the local recipes. Cheers.
I always use tomatoes, never thought to not use them. Good to know it would taste good without!
We were quite impressed with the guacamole without tomatoes. Try it and let us know. We loved it, Cherise. Cheers.
Oh wow. Thank for this recipe. I am so excited to try it. I am sure it’s tasty!
Great. So glad you like it. Do let us know when you make it. Cheers
Babushka loves the way you wrote this. Not only is the photography wonderful, as are the recipes, but the history! Gracias for such a well rounded post.
Thank you so much. So glad you enjoyed the recipe article. Do let us know if you make it. Cheers 🙂
I love guacamole in every dish actually. I will try your recipe, I hope I get it right.
Great to hear Agnes. And, when you make it, please tag us. We’d love to see how it turns out. Cheers.