Authentic Guacamole

Real guacamole needs nothing fancy — just perfectly ripe avocados, lime, cilantro, onion, and a little heat. Mashed chunky and seasoned boldly, it is bright, creamy, and utterly addictive. This authentic recipe takes 10 minutes and beats any store-bought tub by a mile.

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

0 mins

Total time

10 mins

Servings

6 servings

Calories

180

Ingredients

• 3 ripe Hass avocados, halved and pitted
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely minced
• 1 clove garlic, grated or minced very fine
• 1 small Roma tomato, seeded and diced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
• Tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions

1. Halve and pit the avocados, then scoop the flesh into a medium bowl. Add the lime juice immediately and toss to coat, which keeps the color bright.
2. Mash with a fork or potato masher to a chunky texture — partly smooth with some bite-size pieces. Authentic guacamole is never a smooth purée.
3. Fold in the red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, tomato (if using), salt, and cumin. Stir gently to combine without mashing further.
4. Taste and adjust: add more lime, salt, or jalapeño until it tastes bright and well-seasoned.
5. Transfer to a serving bowl, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface if you are not serving it right away.
6. Serve fresh with tortilla chips.

Pro tips

• Add the lime juice the second the avocados are cut — it stops browning before it starts.
• Mash with a fork, not a food processor, for the chunky texture that makes guacamole great.
• Salt generously and taste as you go. Under-salted guacamole tastes flat no matter how ripe the avocados.
• Serve within an hour for the brightest color and freshest flavor.

Frequently asked questions