The Best Guacamole Recipe + Tips for Keeping it Green! - Savory Simple (2024)

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Learn how to make the BEST guacamole recipe that will stay fresh and bright green for days! Guacamole is one of my absolute favorite snacks, and there’s no reason not to make it from scratch. It comes together in no time, and you have total control over the flavors and heat level. If you love homemade guacamole, this is the best guacamole recipe you will ever try! (At least, in my humble opinion).

The Best Guacamole Recipe + Tips for Keeping it Green! - Savory Simple (1)

Avocados are the best, am I right? I love them sliced in half with balsamic dressing (or a thick, aged balsamico) poured into the center. They add a cool, smooth richness to salads, toast, soups, tacos, chili… to so many things. But guacamole will always be king.

Homemade guacamole is one of my absolute favorite things. Sometimes when no one is looking, I’ll eat it with a spoon. Today, I’ve got some tricks to show you that will help you keep your guacamole bright green for days!

The Best Guacamole Recipe + Tips for Keeping it Green! - Savory Simple (2)The Best Guacamole Recipe + Tips for Keeping it Green! - Savory Simple (3)

Why Does Guacamole Turn Brown?

The problem with guacamole, in addition to many other avocado recipes, is oxidation. Avocado flesh will turn brown and slightly bitter within hours after exposure to air.

I’ve got a trick to show you!

How to Keep Guacamole Green

Lime juice slows down the oxidation process, but not for long. However, there’s a trick that will dramatically extend the life of your guacamole without effecting the flavor or texture! The magic ingredient is citric acid powder.

You can find this for sale under various brand names, but the one I see most widely available in stores is from Ball, the canning company, and it’s sold under the name Fruit Fresh. You can also order it off Amazon.

All you need to do is stir in some of this quick dissolving powder and viola: fresh guacamole for days. This is a great trick if you’re preparing food for a party, or even a large batch for your family that won’t be finished in one sitting.

There are many other uses for citrus acid, FYI. It adds a great tang to recipes. For example, I use it in the coating of these passion fruit geleés to make them taste similar to sour gummy candies.

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How to Make Guacamole

  • As you can see from the photos, I like my guacamole very textured, with large pieces of avocado. This is a personal preference; feel free to mash them however you prefer.
  • I also like a lot of lime, heat, and a good amount of salt. I tried to keepthe ingredient list reasonable, but you should use the listed amounts as a guideline and adjust according to your personal preference. I always adjust flavors to taste. Sometimes I throw everything together and it definitely needs more salt, onion, etc. Especially the next day. Flavors will change overnight as they have a chance to mingle. This is especially true with dips and soups.
  • I find that jalapeños vary greatly in heat. Some are very spicy; others (often the large ones) might as well be green bell peppers. If you like heat, serrano peppers are much more consistent. Also, when your dicing any hot pepper, keep in mind that most of the heat is located in the white pith and seeds. You canleave some of that stuff in the dice for an added kick.
  • New to cooking? Check out my tutorial videos:how to cutan avocado & dice a jalapeño.
  • If the guacamole tastes like it’s “missing something,” chances are that you need to add more acidity(lime) and/or salt. This is a general concept to keep in mind when you’re cooking anything! Acidity and salt make all the difference.

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Looking for More Avocado Recipes?

Check out my Creamy Avocado Pasta, Chilled Tomatillo Avocado Soup, andSweet Potato, Apple and Avocado Salad!

The Best Guacamole Recipe + Tips for Keeping it Green! - Savory Simple (6)

Print Pin Recipe

My Favorite Guacamole

5 from 3 votes

Learn how to make perfect guacamole that will stay fresh and bright green for days! Though it's so delicious, you are not likely to have any leftover to store.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword guacamole

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 50

Author Jennifer Farley

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 4 medium avocados, ripe but not mushy
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon citric acid powder
  • 2 serrano or jalapeño peppers, finely diced
  • 1 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (3-4 limes)
  • 1-2 small garlic cloves, minced (see notes)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Tortilla chips or vegetables for serving

Instructions

  • Slice the avocados in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh into a large bowl and mash. If using, stir in the Vitamin C powder.

  • Add the peppers, onion, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

  • Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.

  • Serve with tortilla chips or vegetables.

Notes

Use the ingredients as a guideline and adjust according to personal preference. I like a lot of lime and heat. If the guacamole tastes like it's "missing something," chances are that you need to add more acidity (lime) and/or salt. I prefer using serrano peppers over jalapeños since they have a more consistent heat level.

Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!

Nutrition

Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 9.1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Recipe Troubleshooting

For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)

The Best Guacamole Recipe + Tips for Keeping it Green! - Savory Simple (2024)

FAQs

How to make guacamole stay green? ›

Drizzle a 1/2-inch deep layer of water onto the smooth surface, cover with plastic, pressing it gently, but directly onto the surface. The next day, pour it off and stir just before serving. The verdict: This is the most effective and least expensive way to preserve color and maintain flavor.

What powder keeps guacamole green? ›

The avoFresh contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and calcium carbonate. You add the powder mixture to fresh mashed avocado. The avoFresh keeps the avocado fresh and from turning that off-putting brown that avocado pulp gets when exposed to air.

How do restaurants keep avocados green? ›

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. If you're trying to store a cut avocado, be sure to leave the pit in, as it will naturally protect the flesh underneath and prevent browning.

How to make guac not turn brown? ›

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.

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.

How much lemon juice to keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

I simply squeezed the juice from half a lemon over the surface of the prepared guacamole. I checked for browning after one hour, one-and-a-half hours, and two hours. Results: I couldn't believe how well this worked!

Does leaving the pit in guacamole keep it green? ›

The guacamole under the bulb will stay green. So what is the best method to reduce the browning? Cover the guacamole with plastic wrap, which will make it impervious to oxygen. Back in the day Saran Wrap was the best option, as it was made from polyvinylidene chloride.

Can I use vinegar instead of lime in guacamole? ›

Apple cider vinegar: This has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor that can be a good substitute for lime juice in guacamole. Use about half as much vinegar as you would lime juice. Orange juice: This has a sweet and citrusy flavor that can add a unique twist to your guacamole.

Why you should 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.

Should you put tomatoes in guacamole? ›

Don't worry though, white onion will also work. Add tomatoes to your guac. In my opinion, all guacamole should include tomato for texture and flavor. Regular tomatoes tend to be too watery, so go for grape tomatoes instead!

What do restaurants use to keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

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.

When should you not eat 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).

How does commercial guacamole stay green? ›

But as every guac fan knows, the stuff has a tendency to look nasty in a hurry, a problem only compounded when the product is made in advance. Fortunately for Wholly, the brand had already pioneered a high-pressure process that removes all the air from the container, so the batch doesn't oxidize and turn brown.

How do you fix unripe guacamole? ›

Guacamole must be made with perfectly ripe avocados, she insists. But if you find yourself with subpar avocados, add a teaspoon of olive oil into the mix. “The oil helps it be more lush and unctuous,” Cámara explains.

How does chipotle guacamole stay green? ›

In order to keep the dip from turning from a vibrant green to a yucky, brown hue by the day's end, it is double sealed. His third TikTok clip showed how each tin of guacamole is sealed to keep it from going bad. “Each panned guac gets sealed airtight with Saran Wrap,” he said.

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