A foolproof, totally tested trick to keep guacamole from browning. (2024)

If you ask me, guacamole should be its own food group. I love a classic version, a tropical one with pineapple or mango, and — my favorite — guacamole with smoky chipotles and gobs of shredded sharp cheddar. You kind of can’t go wrong when you mix a perfectly ripe avocado with lime juice, salt and, well, anything else, which is why we dedicated a whole episode of Kitchen Help Live!to guac this week. And, even better, I spilled it on the one and only foolproof method that we’ve found to keep made ahead guacamole from browning.

Related:12 unexpected ways to eat avocado that kids will love.

So you’re totally watching Kitchen Help Live! every week, right? If not, what are you waiting for?! Every Thursday at 1 pm ET, I hop on the Cool Mom Picks Facebook page to start cooking, giving tips, answering your burning kitchen questions, and more. You should be watching. If you had been this week, you’d already know my top secret tip for keeping guacamole green when you make it ahead of time. Or you can just watch now!

Everything guacamole! Including the ONLY way to keep it from b…

The easiest Cinco de Mayo idea ever — plus the ONLY real way to keep your guac from browning. Seriously.

Posted by Cool Mom Picks on Thursday, May 4, 2017

So? What do you think? Milk…crazy right?!
A foolproof, totally tested trick to keep guacamole from browning. (1)

A foolproof, totally tested trick to keep guacamole from browning. (2)

Seriously, though: If you spread the top of your guacamole smooth — so that the milk doesn’t seep in — and you gently pour on just enough milk to cover the surface, creating an air tight seal, the guac underneath will stay perfectly green. Then, when you’re ready to serve, just pour the milk off of the top and spoon off the thin layer of avocado that still has some milk on it.

You’re left without any milk, just green goodness.

If milk just grosses you out way too much, try the same trick using lime or orange juice. Since juicing the limes just to toss the juice out is, well, annoying, I’d buy lime juice in a jar. But, honestly, it doesn’t matter much which you use since you get rid of it all before serving.

Now, as promised in the video, my classic guacamole recipe, which is from my book Make It Easy and, of course, staysforever green!
A foolproof, totally tested trick to keep guacamole from browning. (3)

Photo by Naomi McCollochfor Make It Easy

Classic Guacamole

Recipe from Make It Easy: 120 Mix-and-Match Recipes to Cook From Scratch–with Smart Store-Bought Shortcuts When You Need Them
(serves 4 as a dip, 8 as a fixing for a meal)

2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup seeded, chopped fresh tomato (from about 1 small to medium-size tomato)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (from about 1/2 small onion)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 2 juicy limes)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon finely chopped and seeded fresh jalapeno pepper, plus more to taste (optional)
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste.

1. Halve the avocados and remove the pit. Scoop out of the skin and roughly cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces. Place in a bowl and mash with a fork.

2. Add all the other ingredients and continue to mash until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. Season with more salt to taste, if desired. Serve immediately…or use the trick above to store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Tags: easy recipes, entertaining, how-to, make-ahead, party ideas, snack recipes, snacks, tips and tricks, vegetables, vegetarian, Video

A foolproof, totally tested trick to keep guacamole from browning. (2024)

FAQs

A foolproof, totally tested trick to keep guacamole from browning.? ›

Top with lime juice and plastic wrap

What is the best way to keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

Place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the dip, lightly pressing all over to make sure the plastic is directly in contact with the entire surface of the dip. Store the guacamole in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

How do restaurants keep guacamole green? ›

Method #4: Press Plastic Wrap Against the Surface of the Guac. The technique: If air is the enemy, plastic wrap could act as a shield from oxygen exposure. For best results, spread the top of the surface flat so the wrap can get the most contact. The results: The plastic seal lets through more air than you might think.

How does an avocado pit keep guacamole fresh? ›

Will putting an avocado pit in my guacamole help keep it from browning? Unfortunately, no. All this will do is shield parts of the guacamole from a natural process called oxidation.

How do you keep guacamole from browning in a lunch box? ›

To prevent your guacamole from turning brown, use water! Yes, a small amount of water is a great way to help guacamole maintain its vibrant green color and stay fresh. Here's how to do it: Put the guacamole in an airtight container that has a tight-fitting lid.

How do restaurants keep avocados from turning brown? ›

The main goal is to prevent oxygen from touching the avocado's flesh. Plastic wrap is a practical, albeit not foolproof way to slow down the natural course of fruit aging. The trick is to make sure the plastic wrap is sealed flush with the flesh.

How to stop avocado going brown without lemon? ›

Olive Oil. Another option is to brush the avocado flesh with olive oil, says Weintraub. This creates "an oily barrier between the fruit and air, thus preventing browning," she explains.

How does Chipotle keep their guacamole so green? ›

“Each panned guac gets sealed airtight with Saran Wrap,” he said. “Then it gets lidded, labeled and stored for later use. This process ensures freshness and prevents browning,” he continued.

What powder keeps guacamole fresh? ›

The avoFresh contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and calcium carbonate. You add the powder mixture to fresh mashed avocado.

What is a natural preservative for guacamole? ›

Squirt a thin layer of fresh lime juice onto the guacamole, covering it completely. Cover and store in the fridge for up to two days or until you're ready to serve it. To serve, pour out the excess juice and mix well.

How to make guacamole stay green? ›

Pat the guacamole down to give it a flat surface. Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a barrier with the air. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap, so it is flush with the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or put the guacamole in a sealed tub.

Can you eat brown guacamole? ›

Although brown guacamole isn't the most appealing, it's completely safe to eat (as long as you've stored the guacamole in the refrigerator, and it isn't more than three days old). "While a bit off-putting to look at, brown guacamole is totally safe," confirms Food Network's nutritionist, Dana Angelo White, MS RD ATC.

How do you increase the shelf life of guacamole? ›

Add about a half-inch of water to the top of the guacamole. Make sure the water covers the whole surface of the batch. Put the lid or covering on the container, and store in the fridge for two to three days. When you're ready to enjoy your guac, gently pour off the water and stir before serving.

Does lemon juice make guacamole last longer? ›

Water is a great trick to use for storing guacamole so it stays fresh, but there are a few other options as well. Acid, like lemon, lime, or vinegar, creates a barrier against oxygen as well, so applying a thin layer will work in a similar way.

Can I make guacamole the night before? ›

Cover the guacamole with water or lime juice.

When stored using these tips, you can keep your homemade guacamole looking fresh for up to 72 hours in the fridge.

Why should you leave the lime out of guacamole? ›

You see, lime is a very strong acidic flavor and it can easily overpower the delicate flavor of the avocado. Instead, finely dice red onions and pickle them with lime juice for 15-30 minutes.

Why does chipotle guacamole not turn brown? ›

To keep the leftover guacamole from browning, the employee rips off a sheet of plastic wrap, then presses it all the way down to the surface of the guacamole, knocking out the air that would be in the container if it was just sealed with a lid.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6042

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.