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    Home » Dips and Appetizers

    Healthy Guacamole

    Lindsay Moe

    1476 shares
    pinterest collage for healthy guacamole
    pinterest collage for healthy guacamole
    a bowl of healthy guacamole
    pinterest collage for healthy guacamole

    This healthy guacamole recipe is simply the best! A classic combination of haas avocados, red onion, jalapeños, tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro. Dip with chips, use as a topping for tacos, or stuff in a burrito!

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.

    a white bowl full of healthy guacamole on a marble background with chips, jalapenos, and a napkin
    Jump to Recipe

    Jump to:
    • Healthy Guacamole Recipe
    • Helpful tips
    • Tips for customizing
    • More avocado recipes
    • Recipe

    We’re going back to basics with a simple healthy guacamole recipe!

    I’ve been re-sharing a lot of my homemade essentials lately because they’re so important. If there are two things you need in life, it’s a recipe for basic hummus and one for basic guacamole.

    With these base recipes you can take your vegetarian food adventures in so many different directions. I always love sharing tips so you can customize your recipes to your tastes and needs, and base recipes like these make it possible for you to learn how to make each recipe your own.

    Healthy Guacamole Recipe

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for healthy guacamole
    • Avocados
    • Jalapeños
    • Onion
    • Tomato
    • Fresh Cilantro
    • Garlic
    • Lime Juice
    • Olive oil
    • Salt

    How to make healthy guacamole

    1. Peel and pit avocados, then mash them in a bowl with a fork.
    2. Stir in the jalapeños, onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, and salt.
    3. Gently fold in the tomatoes.

    Olive oil in guacamole?

    People have some strong opinions about olive oil in guacamole, but it is the only thing I’ve found that will keep the avocados bright green for days (not that it lasts that long). I don’t find that it adds any flavor to the recipe, and it helps it be wonderfully creamy.

    If you’re staunchly against guacamole with olive oil, you can leave it out.

    Helpful tips

    How to choose ripe avocados

    I always buy my avocados at least 4 days before I plan to eat them. Every avocado I’ve purchased in the store that seems ripe and ready to eat has been brown and bruised.

    I recommend purchasing bright green, rock hard avocados from the store. When you get them home, put them in a brown grocery bag or lunch sack and fold over the top.

    My avocados are usually ripe and ready to eat in 3-5 days. If you want them to ripen faster you can put an apple or banana in the bag with the avocados.

    Your avocados may ripen faster or slower based on the variety you’re able to buy and the environmental conditions in your house. Check your avocados daily until you know how long it will take.

    For more information you can visit my post on how to ripen avocados.

    a white bowl of guacamole topped with tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro

    How to keep fresh guacamole green

    As I mentioned above, I use olive oil to keep my guacamole green for days. Lime juice will also help slow the oxidation process (which is what causes the avocado to start turning brown).

    To further help prevent browning, you can cover the top of the guacamole with a thin layer of olive oil or extra lime juice, and press a piece of clear plastic wrap against it before refrigerating. Even if you’re storing your guacamole in an air tight container, pressing the plastic wrap against it will prevent the air from getting to it.

    What kind of salt to use for guacamole

    I love coarse kosher salt (affiliate link) for all my cooking needs. The larger crystals add just the right salty flavor.

    I find that fine table salt is just too salty for guacamole , but if it’s all you have on hand add sparingly and adjust as needed.

    Is guacamole really healthy?

    Yes! While guacamole has a lot of fat from the avocados, it’s a healthy fat that nourishes your body. As with any food you’ll want to eat it in moderation (and maybe choose a healthier tortilla chip, these are my favorite!).

    Avocados have many health benefits which include vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, magnesium, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids. They are great for the heart, eyes, and bones.

    Tips for customizing

    • Pulse your avocados in a food processor and finely mince your other ingredients if you prefer a smoother guacamole
    • Leave out the cilantro if you’re not a fan
    • Omit the onions or use a white onion if the red onions are too strong for you
    • Add extra jalapeño or leave in the ribs and seeds for spicy guacamole
    • If you don’t have limes on hand you can swap them for lemon juice

    What to eat with guacamole

    • Tortilla chips
    • Raw bell pepper slices
    • Crispy black bean tacos
    • Vegetarian fajitas
    • Vegan Tempeh Tacos
    a spoon dipped into a bowl of guacamole on a marble table with a grey napkin

    More avocado recipes

    • Pico de Gallo with Avocado
    • Avocado Chimichurri Chip Dip
    • Mango Avocado Salsa
    • Green Avocado Sauce
    • Vegetarian Burrito Bites with Spicy Guacamole

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    Recipe

    overhead photo of healthy guacamole in a white bowl with a dark grey napkin and tortilla chips

    Guacamole

    Guacamole is a healthy Mexican favorite made with mashed avocado, onions, jalapenos, and more.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 237kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 5 ripe Haas avocados
    • 1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
    • ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
    • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
    • ¼ cup fresh lime juice, (from 1 to 2 limes)
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
    • ¾ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
    • ½-1 cup finely diced tomato

    Instructions

    • Peel and pit the avocados. Place them in a medium bowl and mash to a coarse consistency with a fork.
    • Stir in the remaining ingredients except the tomatoes.
    • Taste and adjust the salt or lime juice to suit your taste.
    • Gently stir in the tomatoes. Serve at room temperature.

    Notes

    Adapted from The Joy of Cooking

    Tips for customizing

    • Pulse your avocados in a food processor and finely mince your other ingredients if you prefer a smoother guacamole
    • Leave out the cilantro if you’re not a fan
    • Omit the onions or use a white onion if the red onions are too strong for you
    • Add extra jalapeño or leave in the ribs and seeds for spicy guacamole
    • If you don’t have limes on hand you can swap them for lemon juice

    How to keep guacamole green

    The olive oil will help keep it green, but I also recommend adding a thin layer of olive oil or lime juice to the top and pressing plastic wrap against the surface to prevent browning.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 227mg | Potassium: 625mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 17.7mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

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    1. Maureen says

      February 21, 2012 at 1:42 pm

      I have been obsessed with avocado lately! It’s been all over my blog this past week! 😀

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

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