Simple 4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
This easy 4-ingredient guacamole recipe is as delicious as it is simple. Serve it at your next party or potluck, as a side, or with tasty meals like easy sheet pan fajitas and tacos, or just as a quick snack with some corn chips. Ready in minutes, this simple guacamole recipe will find its way onto your table every week!
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Have you ever made homemade guacamole? It’s not as intimidating as it sounds. The key is fresh ingredients, ripe avocados, and less than 10 minutes of your time. This recipe is super simple (even the kids can help make it) and only uses 4 basic ingredients, with room to add more and adjust for taste preferences!
It’s the perfect dip for Taco Tuesday, Fajita Fridays, potlucks, and game-day gatherings, or just for curling up on the couch with some corn chips.
I like to serve this delicious guacamole alongside other condiments like sour cream, fresh mango pico de gallo, and my favorite salsa. I use it to jazz up my favorite Mexican dishes like Chicken Enchiladas, Nachos, Chicken Tacos, and Fajitas! I even add it to burgers!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to love this tasty guacamole, but here are just a few of my favorites.
- It’s a fast, and easy dish with simple ingredients.
- Completely customizable to your tastes. Add hot peppers and cilantro or just keep it simple and follow the recipe as is.
- Perfect for everything from chilling by yourself on the couch, bringing to a party, or as part of a fantastic Mexican dinner.
- This guacamole is a total crowd pleaser!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need 4-ingredients to make this quick guacamole recipe. Full ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions can be found on the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Ripe Avocados – I use ripe hass avocados to make the best guacamole. See the tips below on how to choose ripe avocados.
- Minced Shallot
- Coarse Kosher Salt
- Lime Juice – for best results, use freshly squeezed lime juice.
Tip: The fresh lime juice adds tons of flavor and helps decrease browning.
How to Make this Easy Guacamole Recipe
Step 1: Mince the shallots.
Step 2: Slice the avocado in half and remove the pit (carefully). Scoop the fruit into a small bowl. Mash the avocado to the desired chunkiness using a fork.
Step 3: Add the coarse salt, minced shallots, and lime juice, and fold the mixture until all ingredients are totally combined. Give the guacamole a taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
Step 4: Transfer the guac to a serving dish and enjoy it at room temperature.
Tip: Because avocados can turn brown rather quickly, the best way to keep your dip looking fresh is to make it within an hour of serving.
Substitutions & Additions
You can use this basic guacamole recipe as a base recipe for any occasion. Add your favorite mix-ins to the main ingredients to suit your tastes.
- Cilantro: This is a guacamole recipe without cilantro because not everyone is a fan. If you love it (like me), fold in 2-3 tablespoons of minced fresh cilantro for an extra burst of bold flavor and freshness.
- Shallots: If you have difficulty finding shallots at your local grocery store, some finely minced red onion is a great substitute.
- Add more flavor: Add a clove of finely minced or pressed garlic for some extra zip to your dip.
- Spice things up: Add a tablespoon of finely diced jalapeno or other hot pepper.
- Swap out the lime: If you want to make guacamole without lime, substitute fresh lemon juice instead! The citrus both adds flavor and slows browning.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Guacamole
- Make the guacamole within an hour of serving and keep it covered or wrapped. That way the mashed avocados won’t start to turn brown from oxidation. The lime juice will help slow the oxidation process as well.
- You can also smooth out the guacamole and place a layer of plastic wrap directly on top of the guacamole. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- If it’s a small gathering, don’t put out all the guac at once. Put half out for the guests to start with and keep the rest in the fridge to stay fresh and replenish the other as needed.
- Always taste the guacamole before serving, add more of any ingredient to suit your personal taste!
How to Pick Ripe Avocados
Ripe avocados and fresh ingredients make for the best guacamole. And there are few things more disappointing in cooking than cutting into a brown and mushy avocado.
To pick a perfect avocado in the produce section, follow this simple tip: Pick by feel, not by color alone.
While color can be a good indicator, the feel of the avocado is better. Color varies by type of avocado. The color should be mostly brown or dark green mottled with a little lighter green.
The feel of the avocado should be bumpy and not smooth. The avocado itself should be slightly soft but not offer a lot of give. It should definitely not feel mushy underneath and the shell should not be brittle to the touch.
Lastly is the stem test. If the stem tip is still on the avocado, try to roll it under your thumb. If it removes easily and the area underneath is light in color, the avocado is perfect. But if the tip comes off easily and the area underneath is dark brown, the avocado is overripe.
If the tip doesn’t roll off at all or offers a lot of resistance, the avocado is still a little underripe.
How to Serve Fresh Guacamole
You can serve this easy guacamole dip in so many different ways.
- With your favorite tortilla chips or nachos as a great appetizer or perfect snack.
- As a side dish or part of your favorite Mexican meals, like Chicken Fajitas, tacos (try my slow cooker salsa chicken tacos), Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas, and burrito bowls!
- It’s also great for breakfast as a zesty avocado toast or a condiment for a Spanish omelet.
- Serve this creamy guacamole as a condiment for spicy black bean burgers or as a topping for chili!
How to Store Leftover Guacamole
Leftover guacamole should be covered and refrigerated immediately. You can also freeze leftover dip to use later.
Storing leftover guacamole in the fridge: Store the guacamole in the smallest airtight container into which it will fit or transfer the dip to a zip-loc bag. This will decrease the available air inside the container. If using a container, place plastic wrap directly on the guacamole’s surface so it’s entirely covered. Cover with a lid or another piece of plastic wrap. If storing in a zip-loc bag, squeeze out every ounce of air you can to vacuum seal the guacamole.
When stored properly, guacamole will be at its best for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
To freeze leftover guacamole: Place the leftovers into a freezer-safe, airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Press and smooth out any air pockets- you’re ultimately trying to vacuum seal it.
Stored properly, guacamole will stay fresh for 1 month. Allow the guacamole to thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Note: a creamy avocado dip freezes better than a chunky one. And any diced tomatoes or onions will release extra moisture when thawed.
FAQs
Yes, you can freeze guacamole. Stored properly in a freezer safe, airtight container, frozen guacamole will be good for 1 month. I recommend using thawed guacamole inside of high flavor dishes like burritos and enchiladas, because the flavor of the avocado does go away after freezing.
Stored properly, guacamole will be good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. See the tips section above for best storage practices.
While it is unsightly, if the guacamole is only slightly brown on the top, you can just stir it in or skim it off and eat the green avocado dip below. If the entire thing is brown or has an off smell, throw it away immediately.
Related Recipes
Pairings
I love serving this 4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe with these dishes:
4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
Simple homemade guacamole recipe made with only 4 ingredients! Ready in minutes, this recipe is quick and delicious, and the perfect addition to your party and favorite Mexican dishes!
Ingredients
- 2 Ripe Hass Avocados
- 2 tablespoons finely minced shallots
- 1/4 teaspoon of Coarse Kosher Salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Slice open the avocados, carefully remove the pit, and scoop out the fruit into a small bowl. Mash the avocado to the desired consistency with a fork.
- Add in the shallots, salt, and lime juice.
- Fold gently until all the ingredients are evenly combined. Give the guacamole a taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Transfer the dip to a serving dish and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 119Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 85mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 5gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g
