I’ve made this easy guacamole recipe about a gazillion times (it’s just as good as Chipotle’s!)… it’s about time I shared it in a standalone post. Once you see how to make guacamole with my step by step instructions, you’ll make it several times a week like I do. 😉 And because I can never resist a good how-to guide, I’m also including answers to all your homemade guacamole questions, from nutrition info and benefits, to extensive tips for keeping it green and even freezing instructions. With just 7 simple guacamole ingredients and 5 minutes to make it, you’ll be putting it on everything in no time. Combine it with cheese crisps (hello, keto guacamole!) and you’ll see what I mean. This recipe was inspired by the infamous, surprisingly simple guacamole at Chipotle, which is why I call it my copycat Chipotle guacamole recipe. (You know I love replicating my faves from there – like Chipotle barbacoa.) But, I’ve tweaked this guac to make it my own… and I think it’s the best guacamole recipe ever!!
What Is Guacamole?
Guacamole is a creamy avocado dip, typically made with plenty of avocados and some citrus. It’s pretty much the best thing to do with avocados. 😉 There are of course a ton of varieties out there, so you’ll see some guacamole dip recipes made with just a few ingredients and others made with all sorts of additions – onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos, garlic, cheese, and more.
What’s so special about Chipotle guacamole?
Chipotle guacamole is actually just regular guacamole, but if you’ve had it, you know how good it is! Chipotle guac made me fall in love with guac, and that’s a good reason to make a copycat Chipotle guacamole recipe!
Chipotle Guacamole Ingredients
Chipotle used to post all of the ingredients online, so it was easy to see exactly what goes into the Chipotle guacamole recipe. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the list more recently, but I still had the ingredient list from a while back:
Avocado Cilantro Jalapeno Lime juice Red onion Salt
The amounts of each ingredient are on the recipe card below.
How To Make Guacamole – Step By Step
This easy homemade guacamole dip takes just five minutes:
Mash avocado. Combine avocado, lime juice, and sea salt in a bowl. Mash to desired consistency with a fork.
TIP: If you’re making a lot of guac, a potato masher works great for mashing avocados in bulk.
Add remaining guacamole ingredients. Stir in red onion, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro.
TIP: If you want to stretch your guac recipe, fold in a diced roma tomato. This is a common addition, but I usually leave it out. In my opinion, the best guacamole recipe is made without tomatoes… but you do you!
Is guacamole spicy?
This is a pretty mild guacamole recipe. If you want it spicy, simply double the amount of jalapenos – or adjust to your taste. TIP: Jalapeno seeds are the hottest part, so include the seeds for spice or omit them for a more mild version.
Is this a keto guacamole recipe?
Yes, this fresh homemade guacamole recipe is keto friendly. Actually, almost all guac is keto. You would need to watch out for additions to the guac (corn would be a no-go), and obviously what it’s served with – tortilla chips are out!
Is guacamole healthy?
Is guacamole good for you? Yes, definitely! This healthy guacamole recipe is a great source of healthy fats and uses simple, natural ingredients. Guac isn’t always thought of as healthy, but that’s because it’s usually served with tortilla chips and the calories and carbs can add up quickly. (Below, I’ll show you some ideas for how to make guacamole healthy and keto friendly with low carb dippers!)
How many avocados for guacamole?
This easy guacamole recipe uses two avocados, for a generous batch (2 cups). If you want to know how to make guacamole with one avocado, simply cut the amounts of all the other ingredients in half.
How do you keep guacamole from turning brown?
Check my tips below on keeping guacamole green – I have a whole section with things that can help.
Guacamole Nutrition
How many carbs in guacamole?
Each serving of this easy guacamole recipe with cilantro has just 1 gram net carb! Avocado is naturally high in fiber and low in carbohydrates.
How many calories in guacamole?
Guacamole is a calorie and nutrient dense food, so it’s definitely not low in calories. But, even still, a 1/4 cup serving has 83 calories, making it a great snack or topping for other meals.
Benefits of Guacamole
Homemade guacamole has tons of health benefits, mainly from its primary ingredient – avocados:
Healthy fats – Avocados are composed of over 75% fat (by calories), and over 70% of that is monounsaturated fat. This also means they help you absorb fat-soluble vitamins, like A, D, E and K. [, ] Potassium – Avocados have more than double the potassium of bananas [, ]! Great source of fiber – 1/2 cup avocado has 1/4 of the daily fiber needs for most adults. Low in carbs and sugar – An entire avocado has only 1 gram of sugar and less than 4 grams net carbs. Yes to fewer blood sugar spikes! Keeps you full longer – A study on overweight adults found that those who ate avocado with a meal stayed full for longer []. With the fat and fiber content, it’s no surprise. Benefits for cardivascular health, weight management, and healthy aging. There are numerous clinical studies supporting this. []
How Long Does Guacamole Last?
This easy guacamole recipe is made without preservatives, so it doesn’t last long! It will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator, but it’s best eaten fresh.
How To Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown
One of the biggest questions around guacamole is, “How to keep guacamole fresh?” And it’s a great question. There are a number of different ideas and opinions about how to store guacamole, how to keep guacamole green, and the best gadgets to keep it fresh. Here are some of the best ways to store your homemade guacamole:
1. Make it fresh.
Probably the best – and most obvious – option is to make guacamole right when you need it. TIP: You can prep the other ingredients ahead, such as chopping onions and jalapenos, so that all you need to do is mash the avocado with lime juice and stir in everything else.
2. Add extra lime juice.
Add some extra lime juice to your guacamole (on top of what’s already in the recipe). It isn’t super effective for days but can extend its life by a few hours.
3. Don’t expose the guac to air.
One of the big ways to keep guacamole fresh is to keep the air out of it. There are two simple ways to do this:
Plastic Wrap – Store with plastic flush against the surface to keep air out (not super effective, but easiest). Oil or Water – Cover it with a thin layer of water or oil and then cover with plastic. Pour off and then stir before eating (this is the most effective method, but be careful to pour it all off, or it can be watery or oily).
4. Use a guacamole keeper container.
This guacamole keeper helps to keep your guac fresh by pushing out all of the air out of the container. It’s got great reviews and is under $11!
5. Freeze it.
Freezing avocados and guacamole is a great option – see instructions below.
Can You Freeze Guacamole?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze guacamole. Just follow these tips for freezing guacamole:
Keep it simple. Skip the cilantro, onions and optional tomatoes, because they lose texture when thawed. You can always add them later. Puree guac before freezing, to minimize browning. I love a chunky guacamole, but the chunks will brown any places inside that the lime juice didn’t penetrate. Keep air out. Freezer bags are best, with the guacamole spread out inside and air pushed out before sealing. If you use a container, cover with plastic wrap flush to the surface.
Using this method, your frozen guac will last 2-3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight.
What To Eat With Guacamole
There are so many ways to enjoy guacamole. Many of them are not keto friendly, but here are my favorite methods for low carb options – which everyone will enjoy even if they aren’t keto:
What to dip in fresh guacamole:
Cheddar Cheese Crisps – Quick, easy, and zero carbs per serving! This recipe uses a mix of cheddar and parmesan, but when I make low carb chips for guacamole, I prefer to use cheddar only.
TIP: For Mexican flavor, sprinkle cheese chips lightly with cumin and cayenne. To make them feel like tortilla chips, cut them into triangles, as pictured in this post.
Keto Tortilla Chips – Yes, you can have chips and guac AND stay keto. These are made with pantry staples. Vegetables – Mini bell peppers, sliced cucumbers, sliced jicama, celery sticks, etc. are all great veggies for dipping. Get the full keto food list here for more veggie ideas.
More dips to pair with guacamole:
Fresh Tomato Salsa – Super simple and the perfect pairing for your healthy guacamole recipe. Avocado Salsa Verde – This is like a cross between guac and green salsa. So good! Crock Pot Queso Dip – Super cheesy and creamy, with just 3 ingredients. Pineapple Salsa – The perfect combination of sweetness and heat.
Dishes to top with homemade guacamole:
Keto Tacos – A dollop of guacamole is just what your tacos need! Taco Casserole – Easy guacamole makes the perfect quick topping for this. Carne Asada – Try this delicious marinated steak with lettuce cups and fresh guacamole. Sofritas – Just like Chipotle’s, and a great vegetarian option. Taco Salad – Simple guacamole makes an awesome topping for this quick 20-minute meal.
Avocado Slicer – This 3-in-1 avocado tool is less than $10… and it makes cutting and prepping avocados so much easier. Avocado Saver – We almost always have a 1/2 avocado in the fridge, this saver helps to preserve them. I have two of these, and am so impressed by how effective they are! Potato Masher – This is what I usually use to make guac, because – let’s be real – I always make a double batch. Guacamole Keeper – A great way to keep guacamole from turning brown. Check the reviews, it actually works!
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