This jalapeño guacamole recipe is just one way to make your favorite Mexican meal even better — and not just on Cinco de Mayo! Starting with fresh ingredients results in a much tastier avocado dip than the prepared guacamole you can buy in grocery stores.
Check out this collection of favorite Mexican meals to serve with it.
Do you sometimes wonder how certain foods came to be associated with certain cuisines? Often, it’s due to the climate of a place and what grows well there.
In the case of guacamole, avocado trees likely originated between south-central Mexico and Guatemala. And if a delicious fruit is readily available, what’s a person gonna do? Figure out how to use it in delicious meals!
Ingredients
Fresh avocados: This ingredient will make or break your guacamole dip. Using delicious, creamy avocado will result in a delicious homemade guacamole. Haas avocados are most commonly available in the states, but if you’re in a warmer climate, you may have access to a wider variety. Experiment to find the perfect avocados for making this recipe. And don’t make this until your avocados are fully ripe; they should yield to gentle pressure before you even think about cutting them open.
Peppers: This recipe calls for jalapeño peppers, giving it a little kick. If your taste buds prefer more spice, feel free to substitute serrano peppers or even high heat habanero peppers.
Cilantro: Yeah, this one’s optional. Those of you who think this fresh herb tastes like soap should skip it. The rest of us, though? Mmm.
Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. The recipe doesn’t call for much, but it adds flavor and creaminess to the recipe.
Garlic: Finely chopped garlic adds that spicy zing we all love so much. Peel the cloves and leave them whole. Can you use garlic powder? You could, but…
Tomatoes: You can use any variety of tomato, but if you choose a very juicy variety, you’ll probably need to drain off some of the juice before you add the remaining ingredients. Too much liquid can make the guacamole soggy.
Lime: The bright flavor of lime juice and lime zest makes the ingredients in this guacamole shine. No lime? Give lemon a try.
Making this Classic Guacamole
You’re going to be happy to discover how easy this is! First step, get your hands on ripe avocados. Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit in half from stem to bottom. Twist the halves to reveal the avocado pit. Remove that, and scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl. Mash with a fork then add the remaining ingredients, stirring until combined.
Taste the dip and adjust flavor. Needs a little extra heat? Add more chopped hot pepper. Needs more salt? Add some a little bit at a time. Not tangy enough? Add a little extra lime juice.
How to Ripen Avocados: Avocados are often purchased when they are still hard and may take several days to ripen. Leaving the stem intact slows the ripening process; if the avo you’re trying to ripen has a stem, remove that. You can hurry the ripening process by placing the avocado in a paper bag with a banana or an apple. The ethylene gas produced by these fruits will help the avocado ripen faster.
Serve this homemade spicy guacamole with tortilla chips for the perfect appetizer. (Double down and add homemade salsa and this cilantro lime crema to the dipping options!) It’s also perfect for dolloping on enchiladas, adding to tacos, or serving alongside these avocado quesadillas or as part of this easy quesadilla bar.
Storage
One of the drawbacks of guacamole is that it tends to brown quickly and become ugly, which can be a bummer if you’re serving it to other people. There are two methods that can help slow the browning process. One, once this recipe is made, press an avocado pit into the dip so it’s about halfway submerged. I have no idea why this works, but a chef I know taught me to do this. The other method is to set plastic wrap directly on the avocado mixture, pressing it down on the surface to exclude air.
For best flavor, guacamole should really be consumed shortly after being made. You can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a day or so, but it tends to get watery and brown.
Easy & Spicy Jalapeño Guacamole
This easy guacamole recipe requires nothing but a fork to turn simple ingredients into a delicious appetizer.
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe avocados
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1-2 jalapeño peppers (seeds and ribs removed and finely chopped)
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh into a large bowl and use a potato masher or a fork to mash them to desired consistency.
- Put the rest of the ingredients in the bowl and mix well. Adjust the ingredients to taste.
- Squeeze the lime juice into mixture
- Refrigerate the guacamole for about 20 minutes before serving with tortilla chips or your favorite Mexican meal.
Notes
This recipe calls for jalapeño peppers, but feel free to use other hot peppers.
For best flavor, guacamole should really be consumed shortly after being made. You can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a day or so, but it tends to get watery and brown.
