Best Guacamole Recipe - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good guacamole? ›

The perfect guacamole should be a cross between creamy and chunky. You'll want a mix of avocado chunks and creamy mashed avocado. My tip is to use a fork to mash the avocado but avoid over-mixing the first time around, this will create too much creaminess and be more like avocado puree rather than guacamole.

Fresh lime juice and zest – They make the guacamole zesty and bright. Jalapeño – For heat. Feel free to omit it if you're sensitive to spice. A serrano pepper would work here too!

Why does adding lemon or lime juice to mashed up, ripe avocados turn them green again instead of brown as they would naturally do when exposed to air for a while? Lemon or lime juice prevent, or to be precise delay, browning rather than reverse it.

I like the flavor better with lemon juice, but lime works too. If you're out of fresh lemons or limes, try using bottled lime or lemon juice. Although, freshly squeezed juice is definitely the best! Salt: Salt enhances the flavors and brings it all together.

Diana Kennedy all but forbids it in The Art Of Mexican Cooking, saying it “spoils the balance of flavors.” In Hugo Ortega's Street Foods Of Mexico, Ortega writes, “the secret to a good guacamole is to respect the avocado flavor and not drown it in lime juice” (he adds a scant 1/4 teaspoon for two large avocados).

Other seasonings and spices like paprika or cayenne can add a kick to standard guacamole. Crushed red pepper, cayenne, paprika, or even garlic powder can up the flavor in a store-bought guacamole and allow you to cater it to your own tastes.

Often an additional pop of citrus is all guac needs to come alive and taste better. If you still aren't happy with the taste, you can rely on mix-ins to jazz it up. Try adding cilantro, salsa, a diced jalapeno or serrano pepper, feta cheese, or a few dashes of hot sauce.

If you like a little kick in your food, dice up some spicy jalapeño and mix it into your guac to your family's preference. Roasted Tomatoes: Add some sweet summer-inspired flavor to your favorite guacamole recipe with roasted tomatoes — this combo tastes especially great spread across a slice of toast.

Sour cream is a simple addition to your favorite guacamole recipe. Just a few tablespoons to a small batch recipe will do it. The sour cream adds a nice tang without being too overbearing and it also creates a creamy, silky mouthfeel. A fabulous contrast to the crunch of tortilla chips.

Store-bought guacamole often contains sour cream, added sugar, artificial flavors, preservatives, and a lot of sodium.

What does guacamole do to your body? ›

Avocados contain vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, along with folate, potassium, and magnesium, all of which are essential for maintaining optimal health. Can guacamole help with digestion? Avocados are high in fiber, which helps promote regular bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports a healthy digestive system.

Lime is used frequently in Mexican cuisine, most notably in guacamole. Lime juice and zest add a tart, acidic flavor that pairs well with the creamy avocado and spices like cilantro. Lime can also be used to brighten up other dishes like tacos or quesadillas.

Lemons contain more vitamin C and antioxidant flavonoids than limes. However, limes have slightly higher levels of minerals and vitamins than lemons. For example, limes have more niacin, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium than lemons. They also contain vitamin A, which lemons don't have.

DOES LEMON JUICE KEEP GUACAMOLE FROM TURNING BROWN? Yes!

Add milk or cream to make your guacamole denser. Place slices or cubes of fresh cheese on top of your guac. Add chopped mint to make your guacamole even fresher. Mango cubes add an unexpected touch and also keep your guac from turning brown.