Traditional Guacamole | Healthy and Naturally Vegan

Pass the guac! This traditional guacamole recipe will become one of your tried and true go-to recipes. It’s made with authentic ingredients that bring out the subtle flavor and natural creaminess of the avocados. Not too spicy yet full of flavor!

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Many times when I’m creating a recipe I feel like I’m saying to myself, “You know what would really put this dish over the top? Guacamole or avocado!”

I put it on top of my chili, I use it as a side with veggies, or as a substitute for salad dressing. I enjoy eating it as a snack with carrot sticks, or slathering it on top of a piece of whole wheat bread for breakfast.

You really can’t go wrong when it comes to avocados and guacamole. While they’re high in fat, it’s the good kind of monounsaturated fat that your body needs. In fact, avocados are considered a super food!

So, grab yourself a nice ripe avocado, and whip up some guacamole to share!!

Why You’ll Love this Traditional Guacamole Recipe

• It’s 10 minutes of prep from start to finish.
• It’s full of authentic flavors.
• No bland guacamole here!
• Made with simple ingredients and spices.
• A crowd pleasing dip for a party.
• Perfect on top of chili, lentil tacos, beans and rice, quinoa, enchiladas, salads, steamed veggies, and more!
• Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
• Kid approved!
• Allergy friendly.
• Omnivore friendly too!

Ingredients You’ll need to Make Traditional Guacamole

• 2 avocados
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (or Roma tomato) chopped
• 1/2 a small jalapeño pepper
• 1 lime
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Potato masher or fork
• Avocado Slicer Tool

If you’d like to add a cool kitchen tool to your repertoire this avocado slicer is awesome! It’s a 3 in one tool that cuts the avocado in half, grabs the pit, cuts the avocado into pieces, and then scoops the flesh out of the skin.

How to Make Traditional Guacamole – Step by Step

Step 1: Roughly chop one cup of cilantro, 1/2 cup of red onion, 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes or Roma tomatoes, and half of a small jalapeño pepper. Scoop and cut two avocados into small chunks.

Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl combine the avocado chunks with 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Stir to coat the lime juice on the avocado chunks. Add the cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Mash with a potato masher or fork until you get a nice chunky texture.

Step 3: Add tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 4: Transfer to a serving bowl. Squeeze about 1 tablespoon of lime juice over top. Garnish with chopped tomato and cilantro.

Variations of Traditional Guacamole

• Reduce the Spice: If your serving this guacamole to your kids and your kids are anything like mine they are very sensitive to spice. You can leave out the jalapeño pepper and reduce the cayenne pepper for a less spicy and more subtle flavor.
• Use Different Onions: If you don’t have red onion feel free to use whatever onion you have on hand, scallions work well too.
• Switch Up the Spices: You can use a variety of spices to suit your taste and preferences. Some good ones to try are paprika, chili powder, onion powder, or garlic salt.

What do you eat with guacamole?

• Veggie Sticks: Guacamole makes a great vegan dip for veggies. Skip the ranch dressing!
• Chili: A dollop of guacamole on top of your favorite chili recipe is a great vegan option in place of sour cream. It adds that creaminess factor without the dairy.
• Tacos: If you’re making vegan tacos guacamole is a must! It really adds flavor and creaminess to the beans, lentils, or other taco filling you’re using.
• 7 Layer Dip: Use this guacamole to make your own vegan version of a 7 layer dip!
• Tortilla chips: Of course, the most popular way to enjoy guacamole!

Are avocados and guacamole healthy?

Yes, avocados are healthy, but just like with any food you don’t want to go overboard. Stick to a serving size of 1/4 cup of guacamole or 1/4 of an avocado.

Avocados are full of healthy fats, vitamins, and nutrients. Avocados are a high fat plant-based food. As with many foods eat avocados in moderation if your goal is weight loss. Here are some reasons you’ll want to include avocados into your diet.

• Superfood: They’re considered a super food because they are a nutrient dense food that is full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in a rather small portion size. If you eat 1/3 of an avocado which is around 80 calories you’ll get more than 20 vitamins and minerals.
• Healthy Fats: Avocados are the only fruit that contain monounsaturated fat, which is considered the “good” fat. Making it an important food to include in your diet if you’re vegan.
• Heart Healthy: Avocados are also naturally free of sugar, cholesterol, and sodium making them a heart healthy food choice.
• Nutrient Booster: Avocados are a nutrient booster which means that they help your body absorb other vital vitamins and nutrients.

How do you mash avocado for guacamole?

Before you mash your avocado make sure it’s ripe. To know whether your avocado is ripe give it a little squeeze. If the avocado has no give, and feels hard to the touch, it’s not ready to eat. If it’s firm yet a little soft when you give it a squeeze, it’s ready to be eaten.

Step 1: Cut the avocado in half using a sharp knife to pierce the skin, going all the way around the whole avocado until you reach the pit in the middle. Give it a little turn in opposite directions to separate the two halves.

Step 2: You’ll have two halves with the pit in one half. To remove the pit, use a spoon to scoop the pit out of the avocado half. (This is also when having an avocado tool comes in handy.)

Step 3: Using a knife score the avocado lengthwise and then horizontally creating small chunks. Scoop the chucks out of the avocado with a spoon into a medium size bowl.

Step 4: Squeeze about 1 tablespoon of lime juice on top of the chunks of avocado. This will help it stay green longer without browning.

Step 5: Using a fork or potato masher mash the avocado to the consistency you desire. Some people like their guacamole chunky, others like it smooth like a spread.

How do you keep guacamole from turning brown?

To keep your avocado or guacamole from going brown or black squeeze some lemon or lime juice on top and keep it in an airtight container. This will help keep it green for about a day. You’ll want to eat your avocado or guacamole within a day of making it or cutting it open.

CHECK OUT THESE DIPS AND APPETIZERS!

• 28 Easy Vegan Appetizers for Your Next Party
• Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
• 18 Gluten-Free and Vegan Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes
• 28 Easy Vegan Appetizers for Your Next Party
• Gluten-Free Hummus
• Vegan Tzatziki

If you’ve tried this traditional guacamole recipe, please rate it and let me know how it turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more plant-based family recipes your whole family will enjoy!