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Perfect Guacamole

This is how to make perfect guacamole at home, simple and fresh, better than your favorite Mexican restaurant.  And you have to serve with homemade tortilla chips, you just do!  Instructions included with recipe.

Finished guacamole in serving bowl with homemade chips.

Guac.  Chips.  Queso.  Margaritas.  Doesn't that just hit the spot sometimes?  That could easily be dinner for me.  For most, though, guacamole and chips are an appetizer to enjoy with margaritas and friends.  I stumbled across this recipe for perfect guacamole to make at home.

Photo of 6 main ingredients

Guacamole in white bowl with crumbled fresh cheese and homemade chips.

There must be a gazillion guacamole recipes, all pretty similar to each other, the star being good, ripe avocados.  Don't you hate it when you cut into an avocado you think is perfectly ripe and it's bad inside?  It happens more often than I like but what can you do, I usually buy an extra or two in case I get a dud.

Close up of avocados cut in half.

Mashing the avocado for guacamole is a matter of preference I guess, chunky or smooth?  I say definitely on the chunky side.  Use a spoon or fork, or even a potato masher.  Just mash it lightly so it's still chunky.

Collage of guacamole ingredients and preparation, mashing in bowl.

As with most recipes, you get out what you put in.  I'm talking quality, freshness here.  White onion, fresh jalapeños, ripe tomato, freshly squeezed lime juice, fragrant cilantro, it all adds up to one perfect bowl of guac.  A little cotija cheese grated on top is a nice finishing touch.  I couldn't find any so I crumbled some queso fresco on top.

And really good tortilla chips.  Buy the best local chips you can find, or better yet, make your own homemade tortilla chips, like I do.  Great homemade guacamole isn't so great with mediocre chips.

Homemade tortilla chips draining on paper towel lined sheet pan.

This is a great time of year to make guacamole.  Tomatoes are in season, as are jalapeños and onions.  Look for avocados that give just a little, not too soft or overripe.  If you're lucky, you won't get any bad ones.  Buy three for this recipe, just in case.  You want perfect guacamole.  Kelly🍴🐦

Hand dipping a chip in guacamole.

Make a Classic Margarita to go with your guac and chips!  You might also like these Loaded Steak Nachos made with homemade tortilla chips, too!

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UPDATED May 1, 2019: no changes to original recipe, just spiffed things up a bit and included instructions for making homemade tortilla chips.

Guacamole in white bowl with crumbled fresh cheese and homemade chips.

Perfect Guacamole

How to make simple and fresh perfect guacamole at home. See recipe notes for making homemade chips, a must for perfect guac and chips.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 180kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
  • ½ cup chopped fresh tomato, seeded
  • 1 tablespoon finely diced jalapeño
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon grated cotija cheese (or crumbled queso fresco)
  • Good quality tortilla chips or make your own! Instructions below.

Instructions

  • Spoon the avocado flesh from the skins into a bowl. Lightly chop the avocado with the edge of the spoon, or mash it lightly with a potato masher, it should be chunky.
  • Add the onion, jalapeño, tomato, lime juice, cilantro, cumin and salt. Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Transfer guacamole to serving dish, sprinkle with cotija and serve with chips.

Recipe Notes

Homemade Tortilla Chips:
Cut 12 corn tortillas into 6 wedges each. Use 6-inch yellow or blue tortillas, or both. In medium skillet, heat about ¼ to ½ inch neutral oil, like canola, until hot and shimmering but not smoking. The tortilla wedges should sizzle when they hit the oil. Fry 6 - 8 tortilla pieces at a time for about 2 minutes, until just crisp. Remove to paper towel-lined plate or pan to drain, sprinkle with a little kosher salt while warm. Repeat with all pieces, layering with paper towels and salting.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal Carbohydrates: 11g Protein: 3g Fat: 16g Saturated Fat: 3g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 4mg Sodium: 202mg Potassium: 558mg Fiber: 7g Sugar: 2g Vitamin A: 377IU Vitamin C: 19mg Calcium: 38mg Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!

* Adapted from Sauce Magazine, July 6, 2016

 

Recipe Rating




Meathead

Tuesday 7th of May 2019

If you take the time to make these homemade tortilla chips, you'll be amazed with each crispy bite. And the guacamole is... perfect.