Spicy Guacamole is the ultimate party appetizer and it always disappears fast. We’ve dialed in the correct ratios of avocados to onions and lime juice to give this authentic flavor.

Our Classic Guacamole was delicious; we probably made it a hundred times! We’ve changed it up a little and spiced it up a lot! This spicy guacamole lights a small fire in your mouth forcing you to eat it slowly and savor each bite. Plus, you can adjust the spiciness depending on which pepper you add.

Spicy guacamole garnished with jalapeno peppers.

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My husband is the adventurous eater in our family and he’s always inspiring me to improve recipes and make a great recipe even more amazing. Thanks to his adventurous pallet, we now make this Spicy Guacamole even more often than the classic and we even have a Corn Guacamole if you love a sweet and smoky twist to your guac.

Spicy Guacamole Video Tutorial

Watch Natasha make this Spicy Guacamole. You will be surprised at how easy it is and it’s sure to get on your regular rotation. Now go forth and make some guacamole.

Ingredients for Spicy Guacamole

These are all the ingredients for a classic guac plus extras to make it spicier (i.e. peppers, garlic and cumin):

  • Avocados – we use large ripe avocados (not too squishy and not too firm)
  • Tomato – use a medium tomato or 2 smaller roma tomatoes and don’t use tomatoes that are over ripe and juicy.
  • Onion – white onion has the best flavor for guacamole but you can use yellow onion or red onion if that is what you have on hand and it will taste great. Watch our tutorial on how to chop an onion.
  • Cilantro – you’ll need about 1/2 cup chopped cilantro which is about 1/3 to 1/2 of a bunch
  • Peppers – use serrano peppers for a spicier guacamole or jalapeno peppers for a milder version and add them to taste. Be sure to seed the peppers before adding.
  • Garlic – adds an extra layer of spice and flavor
  • Lime juice – freshly squeezed is best from 1 1/2 to 2 limes
  • Salt and pepper – add these to taste
  • Cumin – adding ground cumin adds a subtle smoky layer of flavor
Spicy peppers

How To Make Spicy Guacamole

1. Cut avocados in half, remove the seeds and scrape them out into a flat bottomed bowl (a flat bottom will make it easier to mash). Smash with a potato masher or a fork (leave some chunks; don’t puree it). Squeeze the lime juice directly over the avocados.

mashing avocados in bowl

Pro Tip: The fresh lime juice is the best way to preserve the color and freshness. Be sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice and avoid using concentrate lime juice which can have additives and never tastes quite right.

2. Chop onion and add it to the bowl.

chopping onions

3. Remove seeds from jalapeños (or serranos for spicier guacamole). Chop jalapeños finely. We double chop them through our Vidalia Chop Wizard which makes chopping a cinch!

seeding jalapenos and chopping

4. Cut the tomato in half parallel with the top and remove seeds (either by scraping them out with a small spoon or by squeezing them out). Dice your tomatoes. Add chopped tomatoes to your bowl. We often just leave the seeds in (that’s ok too).

chopping tomatoes

5. Press garlic than finely chop your cilantro and add it to the bowl.

adding garlic and cilantro to guacamole

6. Add 1/2 tsp dry cumin powder, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp kosher salt (regular salt is ok too), and stir just until combined.

Ingredients and seasonings for guacamole in bowl, ready to stir

If you’re really bored, serve guacamole in the avocado shells. Hopefully, you didn’t have to fish them out of the garbage can. I’m not admitting to anything.

Make-Ahead

Guacamole is best enjoyed the day it is made for the best vibrant color and flavor, but you can store it up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. It does lose some of it’s spiciness as it stands and the flavors meld.

  • Refrigerated – If you have leftover guacamole, or want to make it ahead, place plastic wrap directly over the surface of the guacamole. Contact with air is what causes avocado to brown so you want to keep the air out.
  • Can I freeze gaucamole? – guacamole does not freeze well and neither do tomaotes. They will end up watery and mealy so we do not recommend freezing.

Pro Tip: To speed up ripening your avocados, place them in a bag and keep them at room temperature. An avocado is ripe when it gives a little with a gentle pressure. It should feel slightly soft but not squishy.

Up close guacamole with spicy peppers

P.S. If you’ve handled jalapenos, DO NOT pick your nose. Trust me.

More Avocado Recipes

If you love avocado as much as we do (super fans over here!), then you will find some new favorites in this list of recipes with avocado. We have everything from avocado salads to appetizers and tacos.

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Spicy Guacamole Recipe

4.97 from 59 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
spicy guacamole served with tortilla chips
Spicy Guacamole is the ultimate party appetizer and it always disappears fast. We've dialed in the correct ratios of avocados to onions and lime juice to give this authentic flavor.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 as an appetizer
  • 3 large avocados
  • 3 Tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed from 1 1/2 limes
  • 1 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup cilantro , from 1/2 bunch
  • 2 serrano peppers, finely chopped (or use jalapenos for milder guac)
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin

Instructions

  • Cut avocados in half, remove the seeds and scrape them out into a flat bottomed bowl. Smash with a potato masher or a fork. Squeeze lime juice directly over avocados.
  • Chop onion and add it to the bowl. Remove seeds from jalapenos, finely dice and add to the bowl.
  • Cut the tomato in half parallel with the top and remove seeds. Dice your tomatoes and add them to your bowl.
  • Press garlic and chop your cilantro than add them to the bowl.
  • Add 1/2 tsp dry cumin powder, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt and serve right away.

Notes

If you want to make this ahead, place plastic wrap directly onto the guacamole and push out any air and refrigerate. 

Nutrition Per Serving

173kcal Calories11g Carbs2g Protein15g Fat2g Saturated Fat2g Polyunsaturated Fat10g Monounsaturated Fat204mg Sodium579mg Potassium7g Fiber2g Sugar433IU Vitamin A17mg Vitamin C22mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Spicy Guacamole Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
173
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
15
g
23
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Sodium
 
204
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
579
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
11
g
4
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
433
IU
9
%
Vitamin C
 
17
mg
21
%
Calcium
 
22
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Tex Mex
Keyword: Spicy Guacamole
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 173

This recipe was first published in 2012. New photos and a video were added in 2022. Here is the original photo.

This easy Spicy Guacamole recipe lights a small fire in your mouth forcing you to eat it slowly and savor each bite. Don't forget the chips!

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Орест Ґоґоша, Утаг
    May 18, 2023

    Дорога Наташо, As a native-born Ukie who discovered Mexican food in Albuquerque, I was wondering what a “spicy” dish was to a fellow Ukrainian. I prepared your recipe and concluded I could have convinced my father to try it. I personally added Serrano peppers. I have not found Habaneros to go well in guacamole.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 18, 2023

      Thank you for trying my recipe!

      Reply

  • Teri
    July 23, 2022

    This is a great guacamole recipe, even my husband likes and he said he didn’t like guacamole

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 23, 2022

      Wonderful! So glad it was enjoyed. 🙂

      Reply

  • Kim Tompert
    June 5, 2022

    I have been searching for a recipe for Banana bread that has a similar consistency and taste of my Gramma’s and thanks to your Moist Banana Bread recipe. It’s the BOMB!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 5, 2022

      Yay, so glad you found this recipe, Kim!

      Reply

  • katerina @ diethood.com
    May 24, 2022

    This guacamole is absolutely delicious! It did not last long at our house! Everyone loved it!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 24, 2022

      That’s wonderful! It sure does go quickly! Thank you for the excellent review.

      Reply

  • Kristyn
    May 24, 2022

    Nothing better than a little spice in your guacamole! We will dip just about anything in this! So good!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 24, 2022

      It’s so versatile! We love it.

      Reply

  • Melissa
    May 24, 2022

    Wonderful recipe – I found your recipe and it was hit with everyone in my family. Making again soon!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 24, 2022

      So glad to hear that, Melissa! Thank you for the review.

      Reply

  • Candice
    March 16, 2022

    I plan on making this soon. Just wanted to say I enjoy your recipes as they are easy to follow and makes me feel like I can cook lol I used to not care for cooking but have noticed recently since following you that i enjoy it and look forward to cooking.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 16, 2022

      I’m so happy to hear that Candice! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Hannah
    January 6, 2021

    Natasha! Thank you this is delicious fresh and spices guacamole. Your recipes are lovely and so easy to follow. I am steadily becoming a big fan. X Made the pork schnitzels too and they were amazing as well! Both of these have become regular family meals, can’t wait to try another recipe 💖

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 6, 2021

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Hannah!

      Reply

  • Anonymous
    November 24, 2020

    Hi Natasha, I’ve tried this recipe two months ago and it has become weekly meal for me. It’s tastes amazing, thank you for the recipe.

    I would also recommend, that it can be eaten by putting in between the bread (like sandwich)!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 24, 2020

      So nice to know that this has become one of your favorites at home. That’s a good tip, thanks for sharing, I actually love this in a sandwich!

      Reply

  • Tim Haveron Jones
    September 18, 2020

    I’m on a keto diet and avocado is something of a keto super-food…but I don’t like it much. Prepared in this recipe, though – and it’s a different story! Very, very tasty. I use Indian finger chillis (because I always have a big bag of them in the freezer) and lemon juice instead of lime – but those aren’t really big variations. I agree with multiple commenters about the avocado stone though – definitely helps to keep it green!

    As a footnote on salt….far and away my favourite is the soft, flaky variety from Maldon Salt. I believe it is available in the United States

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 18, 2020

      Thank you so much for sharing that with us Tim! I’m happy you’re enjoying our recipes!

      Reply

  • Harini Balaji
    July 15, 2020

    Natasha – You are the best . I follow your blog and facebook page and simply simply love your personality , your presentation skills and above all your yummy recipes and the clear instructions you give and share – My family have named diner time as NATASHA’s MENU on my black board in the kitchen and i no longer list individual menu items – we named it all on you with a heart sign – We love you. Keep inspiring US!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 15, 2020

      Hello Harini, so great to read your comments as it just made my day. Thank you so much for your compliments, we appreciate it!

      Reply

  • Roxane
    June 28, 2020

    Natasha, I’m wondering if I can substitute cilantro for something else as I really dislike it.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 28, 2020

      Hi Roxane, you can try if you will like parsley or basil

      Reply

  • Dan W
    May 21, 2020

    Thanks so much for this. I’ve never succeeded at superior guacamole before – a great flavor balance first of all. And this was a big hit in a home of fiery foodies. Serranos are key.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 21, 2020

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Alisha
    May 4, 2020

    I love guac with a little kick!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 4, 2020

      Isn’t it amazing!

      Reply

  • Rachael Yerkes
    May 4, 2020

    This is so perfect with may 5th being this week! Can’t wait to make it again for our celebration

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 4, 2020

      That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

      Reply

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