The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Guacamole (Works Every Time) (2024)

IMHO, the best guacamole always has this.

By

Molly Adams

The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Guacamole (Works Every Time) (1)

A self-proclaimed food-pusher, Molly Adams has been cooking for the loved ones for as long as she can remember. She is a classically-trained chef with a background in catering, private cheffing and food media. Her experience includes recipe development, recipe testing and food writing.

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Published January 31, 2024

The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Guacamole (Works Every Time) (2)

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At almost any gathering I’m throwing, guacamole is on the menu—ask anyone who knows me. It is easy to put together, it’s well-loved by all, and in my (not so) humble opinion, I make a pretty mean guac.

I like the flavor of my guacamole to be very assertive. I go heavy on the salt and lime juice because the downfall of any guacamole is not having enough seasoning. As for spice, I used to only use fresh jalapeños. I’d mince up about half a pepper to highlight the other flavors without stealing the spotlight.

As with most discoveries in the kitchen, I came upon the secret to making my favorite guacamole by accident. When I reached into the fridge for the jalapeño I had set aside for guac, I saw that it had spoiled. I did a quick scan of the condiments in my fridge and grabbed a jar of pickled jalapeños believing it to be the next best option. Little did I know that adding chopped pickled jalapeños to guacamole is the best—I’ve never looked back.

Not only do pickled jalapeños add spice (but in a mellow way), they are brined in vinegar and salt, which highlights the other flavors in the guacamole. I also add a splash of the jalapeño pickle brine. The acidity of the brine balances out the rich avocado, adds flavor, and helps prevent browning.

Not the Sugary Kind of Pickled Jalapeños

If you want to give this a try, make sure the pickled jalapeños you use do not contain sugar. I find the sweetness a bit off-putting for this application.

The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Guacamole (Works Every Time) (4)

My 5 Tips for Making the Best Guacamole

Aside from adding my secret ingredient, here are my tips for the best guacamole:

  1. Plan Ahead: There is nothing worse than trying to make guacamole with avocados that are hard as rocks. If you are planning to make guacamole, buy the avocados in advance so they have a few days to ripen.
  2. Season Well: I like to season my avocado with salt, lime, and pickled jalapeños before mashing. I think the salt and acid help to break the avocado down and also ensure the seasoning is distributed evenly.
  3. Tame the Bite: I use yellow onion in my guacamole and let it sit with a little lime juice or pickle brine before mixing it into the guacamole. This helps to take the edge off the raw onion flavor.
  4. Go Seedless: I find tomatoes on the vine are best in terms of texture and flavor for guacamole. Just be sure to remove all the seeds before dicing them. This will keep your guac from spoiling.
  5. Keep It Green: If I am making my guacamole in advance, I find the best way to keep it from browning is to cover the entire surface in a thin layer of olive oil—the spray olive oil from Trader Joe’s is great for this! Then, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before storing in the fridge.
The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Guacamole (Works Every Time) (2024)

FAQs

The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Guacamole (Works Every Time)? ›

Little did I know that adding chopped pickled jalapeños to guacamole is the best—I've never looked back. Not only do pickled jalapeños add spice (but in a mellow way), they are brined in vinegar and salt, which highlights the other flavors in the guacamole.

What ingredient keeps guacamole from turning brown? ›

Make sure water covers the surface completely—all the way to the container's edge. Editor's Tip: You may have heard a squirt of lemon or lime juice also keeps guacamole from browning. It's true—as long as you cover the entire surface of the dip with citrus juice.

What are some interesting facts about guacamole? ›

Guacamole has been linked to improving heart, skin, and hair health, as well as contributing to weight loss, cancer prevention, and a stronger immune and digestive system. Guacamole History: A Mexican Food? The history of this tasty treat dates back to the Aztec Empire in Central America during the 1500s.

Does lime juice help guacamole? ›

Method #3: Adding Extra Lime Juice to Guacamole

The results: Besides dramatically changing the flavor of the dip, the extra lime juice did not appear to slow oxidization at all. It was still brown about half an inch into the dip the next morning.

How do you enhance guacamole? ›

The onions and garlic add a nice zing to guac, but consider these spicy extras for an even spicier recipe: chopped jalapeno peppers (up to 1 whole, minced), cayenne pepper (up to 1 tsp), red pepper flakes (up to 2 tsp), hot sauce of your choice (to taste), diced green chiles or additional black pepper.

How does Chipotle keep their guacamole from turning brown? ›

“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.

Is eating guacamole as good as eating an avocado? ›

With all the vitamins, fiber, and healthy fat in avocados, it's hard to imagine guacamole being bad for you. But you should keep in mind what you're eating with the guacamole. Because guacamole is usually served as a dip, it can keep you reaching for more and more chips.

Is guacamole a junk food? ›

Guacamole can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet, and is a great way to increase your intake of health-promoting nutrients like monounsaturated fats, fiber, folate and potassium. Because it is a calorically dense food, enjoy it mindfully and pair it with other healthy foods to get the most out of your meal.

Why do Mexicans eat guacamole? ›

AVOCADOS ARE DELICIOUSLY NUTRITIOUS

The avocado finds its origins in South Central Mexico. For this reason, guacamole was created by the Maya Indians who inhabited that region. It contains many natural fats and nutrients in addition to being readily available. It is a high source of carbs and healthy fats.

Can I freeze guacamole? ›

You can freeze guacamole for up to 3 months. So, if you have a good avo that's about to turn, mash it, mix it with guac ingredients (here's the full recipe), drizzle with oil and freeze for when you next need a creamy avo dip hit, or want to jazz up a mid-week Mexican dinner.

Is avocado better with lemon or lime? ›

I like the flavor better with lemon juice, but lime works too. If you're out of fresh lemons or limes, try using bottled lime or lemon juice. Although, freshly squeezed juice is definitely the best! Salt: Salt enhances the flavors and brings it all together.

Can I eat guacamole the next day? ›

As long as your fresh guacamole has been refrigerated, then you should be able to consume it for the next few days. If you're not able to follow our tips above for preserving your guacamole and don't want to eat the oxidized layer of brown guacamole, simply scrape it from the rest of your guacamole and continue eating.

How to jazz up guacamole? ›

Other seasonings and spices like paprika or cayenne can add a kick to standard guacamole. Crushed red pepper, cayenne, paprika, or even garlic powder can up the flavor in a store-bought guacamole and allow you to cater it to your own tastes.

Can dogs have avocado? ›

Key takeaway. Dogs can eat small portions of an avocado's mesocarp (inner area). Large portions can cause vomiting & diarrhea due to persin - a toxin in avocados. Persin is more prevalent in the leaves and skin of avocados and the seeds are choking hazards, so if your dog eats an entire avocado, contact your vet.

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.

What makes 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 fresh? ›

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 avocado green? ›

Onions contain sulfur, which prevents the enzymes in avocados from interacting with the air and turning brown. The easiest way to take advantage of this trick is to cut up some onion, line the bottom of a container, and place the avocado on top with the cut-side up.

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