Easy Homemade Guacamole Recipe

I didn’t grow up eating much Mexican food, so I discovered guacamole relatively late in life.

Now I seem to be making up for lost time!

I can’t get enough of this creamy, delicious avocado dip, especially when it’s homemade with fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño and lime juice.

While store-bought guacamole is perfectly good in a pinch, I think homemade tastes so much better. And it’s surprisingly easy to make.

This simple recipe, adapted from an old Weight Watchers cookbook (affiliate link), is one I’ve enjoyed for years.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Guacamole

• Fresh and flavorful. Made with ripe avocados, tomatoes, onion, cilantro and lime.
• Easy to make. Just chop, mash and stir.
• No cooking required. Ready in about 10 minutes.
• Naturally low in carbs. A delicious option for anyone watching carbohydrates.
• Easy to adjust. Make it mild or spicy, smooth or chunky.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ripe Hass avocados: The creamy base of the guacamole.
• Plum tomatoes: Add freshness, color and a little texture.
• Onion: Gives the guacamole a bit of crunch and flavor.
• Fresh cilantro: Adds that distinctive fresh flavor.
• Jalapeño pepper: Adds a little heat. Remove the seeds for a milder dip.
• Fresh lime juice: Brightens the flavor and helps slow browning.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Bring everything together.

How to Make Homemade Guacamole

Step 1: Mash the Avocados

Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits and scoop the flesh into a bowl.

Using a fork, mash the avocado until it’s mostly creamy but still a little chunky.

Step 2: Add the Remaining Ingredients

Add the chopped tomatoes, minced onion, cilantro, jalapeño and lime juice.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 3: Stir and Taste

Gently stir everything together until combined.

Taste and add a little more lime juice or salt if needed.

Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.

The Secret to Great Guacamole: Ripe Avocados

The most important ingredient in good guacamole is a perfectly ripe avocado.

I like Hass avocados, the ones with the dark, bumpy skin.

To check for ripeness, gently press the avocado with your fingers.

• Very firm: Not ripe enough yet.
• Slightly soft with a little give: Perfect for guacamole.
• Very soft or mushy: Probably overripe.

If your avocados aren’t quite ready, leave them on the counter for another day or two.

My Favorite Shortcut: 2-Ingredient Guacamole

Sometimes you want guacamole without chopping tomatoes, onion, cilantro and jalapeños.

That’s when this little shortcut comes in handy.

All you need is:

• 1 ripe avocado
• ¼ cup well-drained salsa

Mash the avocado with a fork, stir in the salsa and you’re done!

You might call it cheater’s guacamole, but it’s wonderful in a pinch, especially when you already have fresh salsa in the refrigerator.

What to Serve with Homemade Guacamole

Of course, guacamole is delicious with tortilla chips.

But I also love it spread on crackers. In fact, one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is on a Triscuit.

It’s also wonderful spooned onto tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas or a simple taco salad.

And for a lighter snack, try it with cucumber slices, bell pepper strips or other crunchy vegetables.

How to Keep Guacamole from Turning Brown

Guacamole tastes best freshly made, but you can prepare it a little ahead of time.

To help prevent browning, press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the guacamole, leaving as little air underneath as possible.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

For the best flavor and appearance, I like to make this recipe shortly before serving.

How Many Calories and WW Points?

According to the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook (affiliate link) (2015) each 1/4-cup serving has 58 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
2 PointsPlus (Old plan)

If you’ve made this Easy Guacamole Dip, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Source: Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook, Fifth Edition (affiliate link): Over 500 Delicious Recipes for the Healthy Cook’s Kitchen

More Easy Salsa Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy this homemade guacamole, here are a few more fresh and flavorful recipes from Simple Nourished Living:

• Easy Fresh Tomato Salsa (Pico de Gallo) – A delicious homemade salsa that’s also perfect for making my two-ingredient guacamole.
• Simple 5-Ingredient Mango Salsa – Fresh, fruity and easy.
• Fresh Strawberry Salsa – A colorful combination of sweet fruit and savory flavors.
• Diana Kennedy’s Fresh Salsa Mexicana – A classic fresh salsa from one of my favorite Mexican cookbook authors.

It’s funny how our tastes change over the years.

Guacamole wasn’t part of my childhood, but it’s certainly become one of my favorite things to make and eat.

And whether I make this fresh homemade version or the quick two-ingredient shortcut, I’m always happy to have a little guacamole in the refrigerator.