My authentic Guacamole Recipe is loaded with avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, and plenty of lime juice! I’ve probably made over a hundred batches of guacamole, and I’ve perfected the proportions in this guac recipe. Watch my video tutorial and learn how to make the BEST Guacamole – all you need is crunchy tortilla chips for dipping!

Authentic Guacamole loaded with avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, plenty of lime juice, salt and pepper.

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Helpful Reader Reviews

Easy Guacamole

I take my guacamole very seriously, just like I do Pico de Gallo. My husband and I make it on our regular rotation (at least once a week), and after making hundreds of batches, it has been perfected over the years. I use this guacamole as an appetizer, a topping, and a side dish for so many Mexican dishes! I’m convinced this is the only guacamole recipe you’ll need. It’s creamy, chunky, fresh, and has just the right amount of lime zing. It’s so satisfying that it’s hard to stop eating it.

Guacamole is the perfect appetizer with tortilla chips, but it’s also amazing as a topping for Taco Salad, it’s delicious on Tostadas, Beef Burritos, and so good on Chicken Fajitas – yum!

Guacamole Video

If you love guacamole recipes, this classic one is the base for so many awesome variations like Corn Guacamole, or even Spicy Guacamole if you want to add some heat. It’s so easy to master guacamole and once you have this basic recipe down, you can experiment with adding your favorite flavors.

Ingredients for Authentic Guacamole

Once you have selected your perfectly ripe avocados, getting the ratio of ingredients is important for the most authentic-tasting guacamole. Here’s what you will need for homemade guacamole:

  • Avocados are the star of the show. Make sure you pick ripe ones (see my tips for selecting avocados below).
  • Lime Juice – Lime juice is the key to keeping guacamole green! Here’s the correct ratio: use 1 Tbsp of FRESH lime juice for every 1 large avocado. It helps prevent browning, and the right amount will make your guacamole come alive (but not literally, don’t worry). You can substitute for equal parts lemon juice if needed.
  • Onion – Authentic guacamole is made with white onion because of its crisp, fresh, and clean flavor profile, but you can substitute whichever onion (yellow, or purple) that you have on hand.
  • Tomato – not everyone adds tomatoes, but I love the color and juicy sweetness it adds to guacamole. Tomatoes should be firm and not overripe. To prevent a watery guac, you can seed your tomatoes if desired, and if your tomato is very juicy when diced, strain off the juices before adding them.
  • Cilantro – I don’t think you can have a proper batch of guacamole without the freshness of cilantro. That said, I also recognize some people don’t like cilantro. In that case, you might try parsley, basil, dill, chives or green onions.
  • Salt and Pepper – Salt enhances the flavor of avocado and tomato and balances the acidity of lime juice, while freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle heat. You can add both to taste.
Guacamole ingredients with avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, salt and pepper

How to Pick Ripe Avocados

When you are buying avocados, consider when you will be making your guacamole and if they need time to ripen. If you want guacamole tonight, select perfectly ripe avocados. If you are shopping ahead, you can get firm avocados and follow my tips below for faster ripening.

  • Select Ripe Avocados – the stems should be attached and you should be able to push the sides in slightly with your fingertips.
  • Avoid overripe avocados – very soft, squishy, or hollow-feeling avocados are more likely to be browned on the inside.

How To Soften Hard Avocados

Place underripe avocados in a paper bag with an apple or banana (which releases ethylene gases to speed up ripening) and leave at room temperature for 2-3 days. If your avocados are getting ripe and you aren’t ready to use them, you can slow down the ripening process by placing whole avocados in the refrigerator.

How to Prevent Guacamole from Browning?

For my fellow science nerds: Once avocados are cut and exposed to air, the oxidation process begins, which causes the avocados to turn brown or grey. Once the guacamole is made, place a sheet of plastic wrap directly over the surface to keep the air away; this will help prevent discoloration.

Ripe avocados mashed and combined with guacamole ingredients with tortilla chip

How to Make Guacamole

This is the same basic process for making every guacamole recipe and you will have it memorized in no time.

  • Prep avocados – Start by cutting the avocado in half lengthwise to remove the pit, then use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Coarsely mash with a potato masher or a fork to a chunky consistency.
  • Add lime juiceSqueeze lime juice directly over the top to prevent browning.
  • Add remaining ingredients – add diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and onion.
  • Season – add salt and pepper to taste, and stir just to combine.
Step by step collage How to make guacamole

Make-Ahead

Guacamole tastes best when enjoyed within a day or so of making it, but there is a better way to store leftovers to prevent discoloring:

  • To Refrigerate: you can whip up a batch of guacamole a day ahead. To prevent browning, set plastic wrap directly over the surface of the guacamole, pushing out all extra air. Even if stored in closed Tupperware, placing plastic wrap directly over the guacamole first will keep it looking green and vibrant.
  • Freezing: I do not recommend freezing since the veggies can get soggy and mealy when thawed.

Serve Guacamole With

From a stand-alone appetizer to a topping, dip, or garnish, there are so many great ways to serve guacamole. It’s great for Cinco de Mayo or any time of year. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

Guacamole prepared in a bowl served with tortilla chips

I can’t get enough of this homemade guacamole. I’d love to hear about your favorite guacamole ingredients. Is there anything special that you love to add?

Authentic Guacamole Recipe

4.97 from 77 votes
Guacamole served in a bowl with tortilla chips
How to make the BEST Guacamole. This authentic guacamole recipe is loaded with avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, plenty of lime juice, salt and pepper.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people as an appetizer
  • 3 large avocados, ripe
  • 1 Roma tomato, seeded and diced, optional
  • 1/2 medium white onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, (1/3 bunch) finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp lime juice*
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  • Cut 3 avocados in half lengthwise, remove pits, scrape the flesh of the avocado out with a spoon. Place in a medium bowl with a flat bottom and mash avocados with a potato masher or a fork to a chunky consistency.
  • Squeeze 3 Tbsp of fresh lime juice directly over avocados while prepping the rest of your ingredients.
  • Add diced tomatoes, onion, and chopped cilantro. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir just until combined and serve.

Notes

*If you want to scale the recipe, use 1 Tablespoon of fresh lime juice for every avocado. 
Make-Ahead and Storage: Guacamole is best enjoyed within a day of making it. Exposure to air will cause the guacamole to brown quickly. To prevent browning, place a sheet of plastic wrap directly over the surface of the guacamole and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. 

Nutrition Per Serving

169kcal Calories11g Carbs2g Protein15g Fat2g Saturated Fat2g Polyunsaturated Fat10g Monounsaturated Fat202mg Sodium542mg Potassium7g Fiber1g Sugar327IU Vitamin A15mg Vitamin C18mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Authentic Guacamole Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
169
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
15
g
23
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Sodium
 
202
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
542
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
 
11
g
4
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
327
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
15
mg
18
%
Calcium
 
18
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: authentic guacamole, best guacamole, easy guacamole, guacamole, guacamole recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 169
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

More Appetizer Recipes

If you are looking for more appetizer ideas for your next party, these are some of my best-loved, crowd-pleasing appetizers:

4.97 from 77 votes (32 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Magda
    April 25, 2025

    Love guacamole and love your recipe!! I will be making a batch soon!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 25, 2025

      I’m so happy to hear that, Magda! Aren’t you so glad the warmer weather is back to enjoy these more and more?!

      Reply

  • Christy
    April 5, 2025

    Need some assistance please!…I do not like Guacamole and have never made it, but need to make it for a friend’s baby shower, per request. Trying to
    “test drives” prior to event. How do you pick an avocado and how do I know it tastes “right” when I dislike it so much? My husband brought some home and they were like rocks. I tossed them and was hoping someone could help me. Thank you!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 7, 2025

      Hi Christy! See my notes above for how to pick an avocado and how to ripen hard avocados. If you follow those instructions, you’ll have good avocados to use for this recipe.

      Reply

    • Brandon
      May 3, 2025

      I would suggest when dealing with the cilantro to remove all stems before chopping and just use the leaves. The stems hold most the soapy flavor that some people complain about and make cilantro unpalatable for some people who have specific genes that cause this. My girl can’t stand Guac cause of this. But when i make it and leave out the stems She doesn’t have the same issue.

      Reply

  • Lena Melnyk
    January 27, 2025

    I always go back to this recipe when craving guacamole or saving my avocados:)

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 27, 2025

      We have this on repeat! Truly the best and I’m so glad you loved it too!

      Reply

  • Sara Keppler
    January 26, 2025

    Simply perfect! I’m obsessed with avocados, so I can eat this entire batch by myself! (Side note: I added a few dashes of Tajin seasoning to it for a little extra zest.) Muy Bueno! Thank you Natasha! 🥑🌶️😋

    Reply

  • Valerie Thompson
    December 17, 2024

    Can I triple the recipe or will that be hard to get the portions right?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 17, 2024

      HI Valerie, you can triple the recipe but add the lime and salt to taste.

      Reply

  • Karen Camp
    September 2, 2024

    Yummy 😋 I love quac !!
    Thanks for sharing sweetheart!
    Karen Camp

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 2, 2024

      You’re so welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  • Doreen
    August 27, 2024

    Love your guacamole recipe! Don’t like cilantro so what can I use instead of? Thank you ❤️

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 27, 2024

      Glad you love this recipe! You can try it with parsley, basil, dill, chives or green onions.

      Reply

  • Katherine J Bello
    May 20, 2024

    Love this Guacamole recipe! Thanks. I make it frequently for Sunday dinner. The grandkids love it.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 20, 2024

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

      Reply

  • Mimi
    May 13, 2024

    Natasha I love your recipes and your animated ways. I have a twist to the guacamole. It’s from my childhood in Honduras. Add hard boil eggs and dry cheese such of Parmesan or feta. It’s DELICIOSO

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 13, 2024

      Thanks a lot for sharing that with us! I’m glad that you’re enjoying my recipes!

      Reply

  • Gary Burt
    May 1, 2024

    You have great recipes! I especially like the videos!!! You have such a quarry since of humor (That is a good thing. I know because I just made that word up!).I enjoy the cameos by your husband and children. Only one suggest for improvement. the tips in you web page included in the printout. Things like variations, etc.
    Gary

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 1, 2024

      Hi Gary! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes. Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately there isn’t an easy way to do that, some of the recipes have way more info than we could put into a print-friendly version on the recipe card. You can print the blog post, but that also means printing multiple pages.

      Reply

  • Nita
    April 27, 2024

    Love everyone of your recipes!!! Do you have a hardback cookbook I could purchase? Thanks,
    Nita

    Reply

  • Lou Smith
    April 21, 2024

    Similar to how I learned to make it, except I use pico de gallo instead. Only difference is that Pico de Gallo has jalapenos.

    Reply

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