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Home » Appetizer

Published: Jan 31, 2020 · Modified: Jan 30, 2023 by Kathy

4-Ingredient Guacamole

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A bowl filled with guacamole with bits of red tomatoes.

Just four ingredients are all you need to make this super easy homemade guacamole.

Whip together a batch when you want a quick dip or to add as a condiment to your favorite foods.

A bowl filled with guacamole with a chip on the top.

Avocados

There's nothing better than homemade guacamole! It is delicious, tasty and healthy too!

The most common type of avocado found in US grocery stores is the Hass avocado. These avocados have dark green, bumpy skin and smooth flesh. You can test if an avocado is ready to use by giving it a gentle squeeze. The avocado should have a slight give to it. If it's too hard, the avocado needs to ripen longer.

Avocados are the only fruit that can stay ripe on a tree without going bad. They do not soften until after they are picked.

This recipe uses three avocados. However, you can easily make this guacamole with just one avocado. Just cut back the amount of the other ingredients.

If you love avocados, you might also like avocado dressing and avocado toast. 

Key ingredients

Ingredients for making guacamole.

This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.

  • Avocados - You want perfectly ripe avocados. They should have a bit of give to them when you lightly squeeze the avocado.
  • Tomatoes - I like to use cherry tomatoes, but any tomato will work. Cut the tomato into finely diced pieces. I scoop away any extra juices and seeds that come out when I'm chopping my tomatoes. I try to just add the tomato.
  • Onion - Adds flavor, crunch and a touch of spiciness. Red, white or yellow onions can be used.
  • Lime - Freshly squeezed lime juice adds flavor and helps prevent the avocados from darkening. Use freshly squeezed and avoid bottled lime juice. It just doesn't give the same flavor.

Step by step directions

In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.

  • Slice avocados in half and remove the pit. Slide the avocado from the peel with a spoon and place in a bowl.
  • Squeeze fresh lime juice over avocados
  • Mash with a fork or a potato masher
Halved avocados in a bowl.
Mashing avocados with a fork.
  • Add chopped tomatoes and onion. Stir lightly.
  • Season with salt
chopped onions and tomatoes on top of mashed avocados.

Recipe tips

  • Make certain your avocados are soft. If they aren't soft, you will not have a smooth guacamole and the taste will not be as delicious.
  • Cut tomato in half and scrape out seeds and watery pulp. This helps make certain the guacamole doesn't become too watery. 
  • Taste your guacamole. It's the only way to know if you need to make some adjustments.
  • If your guacamole needs a little something, add a bit more lime juice and salt
  • Serve right away or cover and refrigerate to serve later
  • Cover the guacamole with plastic wrap that's directly touching the surface of the guacamole. This will help prevent discoloration.

Frequently asked questions

How can I ripen an avocado quickly?

Try to plan ahead. The avocados need time to soften. If they aren't soft, your best bet is to place at least two avocados in a brown paper bag and fold down the top of the bag. The bag should be left at room temperature for one to two days until it is soft. 

How do I make a ripe avocado last?

Once avocados begin to soften, place your avocados in the refrigerator if you want them to ripen slower. I do this when I buy a large bunch on sale. Just place a couple on the counter to use right away and the rest in the refrigerator. Then pull out a few more when the ripe ones are used up.

Variations

Make this guacamole your own. Add any of the following

  • Chop up a bit of jalapeno for a little spice
  • Add canned green chiles
  • Instead of the tomatoes and onions, add ½ cup of your favorite salsa
  • Add a bit of garlic powder

Freezing guacamole

Freezing guacamole is a great option! 

One year, I had several avocados that our cousin had sent to us from his avocado orchard. I made bunches and bunches of guacamole and froze it in small containers. I froze the guacamole in 1 cup sized plastic containers. Before putting the lid on, I placed a piece of plastic wrap right on the surface.

A few weeks later, I pulled one out in the morning for dinner and success! It was awesome! Sometimes there is a bit of brownish liquid on the top. Just pour it off and stir guacamole before serving. 

Frozen guacamole is best used within 6 months.

Ways to serve

My favorite way is to eat it with tortilla chips. But I also love to eat it with burritos, tacos, or in guacamole quesadillas! 

Guacamole is perfect topped on these Black Bean Taco Cups,  these baked taquitos and in this Burrito Bowl.

More great appetizer recipes

  • Crispy Wonton Cups
  • Garlic Hummus
  • Cocktail Meatballs
  • Mexican Layered Dip
  • Salami and Cheese Pinwheels
  • Green Chili Roll Ups
A white bowl filled with guacamole.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my delicious appetizer recipes. 

  • Black Bean Salsa with corn and tomatoes in a white bowl.
    Black Bean Salsa
  • Roasted Eggplant Dip topped with paprika.
    Roasted Eggplant Dip
  • Bread Dipping Oil topped with Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
    Bread Dipping Oil
  • Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies on a white platter.
    Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
A bowl filled with guacamole with a chip on the top.

Guacamole

Kathy Berget
Simple guacamole made with just avocados, tomatoes, onions and freshly squeezed lime juice.
5 from 20 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 2 cups
Calories 84 kcal

Equipment

  • Lemon Juicer
  • Chef Knife
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 large avocados
  • ½ cup tomato (diced)
  • ½ cup onion (diced)
  • 1 lime (juiced)
  • ⅕ - ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Cut avocado in half and scoop out meat into a bowl. Mash lightly with a fork.
    3 large avocados
  • Add onion and tomato.
    ½ cup tomato, ½ cup onion
  • Squeeze lime juice over mixture.
    1 lime
  • Stir lightly, just until incorporated.
  • Add salt to taste.
    ⅕ - ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Serve or wrap with plastic and refrigerate.

Notes

Tips for making great guacamole
  • Make certain your avocados are soft. If they aren't soft, you will not have a smooth guacamole and the taste will not be as delicious.
  • Cut tomato in half and scrape out seeds and watery pulp. This helps make certain the guacamole doesn't become too watery. 
  • Taste your guacamole. It's the only way to know if you need to make some adjustments.
  • If you guacamole needs a little something, add a bit more lime juice and salt
  • Serve right away or cover and refrigerate to serve later
  • Cover guacamole with plastic wrap that's directly touching the surface of the guacamole. This will help prevent discoloration.
 
To freeze guacamole, place in a freezer safe container. Place plastic wrap directly on guacamole and press down lightly. Place lid on container. When ready to use, allow enough time to defrost before using. If a brownish liquid has formed, just pour off. Stir before serving.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 84kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 268mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Valentina says

    February 07, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    5 stars
    Doesn't get much better than this! There's not better snack, meal or appetizer. Such good tips! 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply
  2. David @ Spiced says

    February 03, 2020 at 4:57 am

    5 stars
    Interesting tip about refrigerating avocados - I didn't know that! That's perfect for when they're on sale. (And I suspect there will be a lot of avocados on sale this week following the Super Bowl!) Guacamole is a classic, and it's a favorite around here. In fact, we've been known to make guac as lunch by itself. That might have to happen again soon! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 03, 2020 at 5:39 am

      Ahhh....instead of an appetizer, it becomes a main dish! Very good 🙂

      Reply
  3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    January 31, 2020 at 6:11 am

    5 stars
    Guacamole is a favourite around here and with the big game this weekend, I know we'll be enjoying some! This one looks delicious and I could honestly have for breakfast right now! Happy weekend!!

    Reply
  4. Fred G says

    February 18, 2019 at 9:29 am

    5 stars
    Guacamole and chips, yes!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 20, 2019 at 5:11 am

      One of my favorites!

      Reply
  5. Manali @ CookWithManali says

    May 06, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Love guacamole! Just had it today morning! Thanks for the tip on freezing it, will give it a try next time!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 06, 2015 at 7:31 pm

      Lucky you! Did you have it for breakfast? I need to make another batch!

      Reply
  6. Ami@NaiveCookCooks says

    May 05, 2015 at 8:04 pm

    You are so right that there's nothing better than guacamole!! My favorite way to eat them is with chips! Yumm!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 06, 2015 at 4:38 am

      Hope you had your share of guacamole for Cinco de Mayo!

      Reply
  7. Laura says

    May 04, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    I love guacamole! It's the best. And did you read in the paper how Chipotle has threatened that they won't be making it any more.....too expensive to get all the organic ingredients! So now I have to make my own, not that that's the worst thing in the world. Happy Cinco De Mayo, time to get my party hat out of the basement =) Like the red onion in here.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 04, 2015 at 5:49 pm

      That will be a bummer for Chipotle's. As much as I like making my own, it's always nice to get it when I eat out!

      Reply
  8. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    May 04, 2015 at 6:11 am

    I'll take avocados and guacamole any way I can get them. You're so lucky to have them delivered right to you! Your guacamole looks delicious and just in time for Cinco de Mayo!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 04, 2015 at 5:50 pm

      Yes, but the avocado delivery only happens at very random and rare moments! What I need is to schedule a regular deliver!!!

      Reply
5 from 20 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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