Making guacamole is really quite simple, and not at all out of reach. It’s just a matter of picking the right ingredients and seasonings,. There are really 4 key things you need in order to make really good guacamole:
- Perfectly ripe avocados
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Tomatoes
The other ingredients you add to this are what punch up the flavor and make it great. But rest assured, you can absolutely make a perfectly good guacamole as long as you are not missing any of the key ingredients above.
Jump to RecipeChoose the right avocado!
When choosing avocados, look for ones that have a dark green or brown leathery peel. If the avocados are bright green they are not ready, and need to sit on the counter for a few days before using. The skin should give just slightly when touched with a finger. If it does not it is still not ripe, and if it feels like the skin is pulling away from the flesh when pressed, it is definitely over ripe. If you do not have perfectly ripe avocados, do not make guacamole.
Pretty, but underripe! 
Look for dark skin, flesh that gives slightly
Other essential ingredients
It is also important to have at least 3 other key ingredients, lime, cilantro and tomato. The lime is essential to the flavor, and also helps keep the avocado from browning from oxidation. Similarly the acid from the tomato offers the same effect, but also adds color and taste. Cilantro is also essential to providing the classic fresh flavor to the otherwise bland avocado. If you have these, you can make a good guacamole. The other ingredients I always choose to add are jalapeno and onion. These add an extra pop and spark that can take a good guac to a great guac!
Putting it all together
Start by chopping the onion, jalapeno and cilantro to a fine mince and add these to a mixing bowl. Use something either glass or ceramic, as metal will react with the acid of the lime. Typically, guacamole is made in a molcajete, which is a large lava rock mortar and pestle, and if you have one of these bad boys than you will rock the guac! But no worries if you do not, you can also approximate these in a bowl using a potato masher.
I crush these together with either the masher or the back of a measuring cup until somewhat pulverized before adding the avocado.Next slice the avocado in half lengthwise, and use the blade of a large knife to hack and twist the pit to remove. Then using a metal tablespoon, scoop the flesh out into the mixing bowl. Then using the masher, mash up the avocado until somewhat smooth, leaving some larger chunks remaining.
Then add the lime juice, salt, pepper and chopped tomatoes, stir together to mix and scoop out into a serving bowl.
The fried corn tortilla chips can be made ahead of time. To make I use fresh mini corn tortillas (also works with any tortillas you might have leftover). I cut into quarters to make triangles, and deep fry for 1-2 minutes in a couple inches of vegetable oil.
I like the taste of freshly made fried corn tortilla chips to serve on the side. Can also serve with veggies for a healthier option!
Really Great Guacamole
Equipment
- cutting knife
- ceramic or glass bowl
- potato masher
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tomato
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 small onion
- 1/2 lime
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Finely chop onion, jalepeno and cilantro and add to a large non-metal bowl. Muddle with the bottom of a flat measuring cup or potato masher.
- Cut avocados in half , remove pit, and using a spoon scoop out of the shells into bowl with other ingredients. Mash with a potato masher until slightly smooth with some chunks remaining.
- Chop tomato into dice and add to the bowl.
- Squeeze half of the lime over the other ingredientsl. Add salt and pepper to taste, and stir to combine,
- Serve in bowl with tortilla chips or fresh veggies.