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When I was a child, my mom’s guacamole recipe was one of the first things I learned how to make. Today, it’s a recipe that my children make regularly. In fact, I can hardly call this a recipe because it is so simple to make! But it is a nourishing and easy snack, condiment, or topping that my kids all love.
All About the Avocado
Avocados have a unique fatty acid profile and are rich in monounsaturated fats. They are a good source of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin K, as well as potassium and other nutrients. I wrote more about avocados and compiled a list of recipes in this post.
Avocados are one of the few foods that are high in both healthy fats and fiber, which makes them helpful for digestion. They are one of the first foods I feed my babies because of their nutrient profile. When I need an egg-free mayo recipe, I use avocado. They are much less allergenic than eggs (and autoimmune friendly).
Avocados are often lumped into the vegetable category but are actually fruit. Over 1.5 billion are consumed annually in the U.S.
The most popular type of avocado in the world is the Haas avocado and it has an interesting history…
In the 1930s, a California mailman named Rudolph Haas discovered an avocado tree in his backyard and patented it in 1935. All modern avocado trees can trace back to Haas’ avocado tree. Popularity really took off in the 1970s and now, Haas avocados are grown in California, Florida, and especially Mexico. Did you know that Mexico has 5 different climates and growing seasons, which allow avocados to grow year-round?
The special balance of healthy fats and nutrients also makes avocados great for hair and skin. I talk more about that here.
The Humble Guacamole
While avocados only gained popularity in the US in the last several decades, they’ve been popular in other parts of the world for centuries. They were considered a superfood by the Aztecs, who had some of the earliest guacamole recipes. The word guacamole comes from an Aztec word meaning “avocado sauce” and was just a simple mix of mashed avocado, tomatoes, and spices.
While avocados may have taken a while to catch on in the U.S., they’re definitely popular now. As is guacamole, the recipe they are most commonly used in.
In fact, September 16th is National Guacamole Day!
My Easy Guacamole Recipe
My guacamole recipe is a purist recipe that is similar to the original Aztec recipe with minimal ingredients. I use avocado, salsa, lime juice, and some spices. We really like the minimal ingredient list to let the taste of the avocado shine through.
My kids love this recipe because it is so simple to make. They will often prepare guacamole to eat with carrot sticks or plantain chips for lunch or as a healthy snack.
Simple Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ripe avocados
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp cumin (optional)
- 1 lime (juiced, optional)
Instructions
- Cut the avocados in half and carefully remove the pit.
- Scoop out the flesh of the avocados and place in a medium bowl.
- Add the salsa, spices, and lime juice and mash with a fork until everything is evenly mixed, but still lumpy.
- Serve with veggie sticks or grain-free chips for a healthy and filling meal or snack.
Notes
- 1 medium size tomato, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 TBSP fresh cilantro, chopped
Nutrition
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Do you have a family guacamole recipe? How do you make it?
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That recipe is anything but “original purist recipe”. You will never EVER add cumin, garlic, black pepper or salsa. By adding any of the above ingredients you’ll destroy the natural avocado flavor. If you want an Awesome purist and simple recipe, 2 ingredients, 1- Himalyan salt and 2- Lemon juice.
My personal award winning recipe: soak 1 tlsp of chopped onion with lemon, tsp of chopped cilantro, finely chopped a small serrano pepper and himalayan salt. (Optional a tlsp of dice tomato) but never garlic, cumin, black or white pepper and sour cream or mayo. Now, this is guacamole. Anything besides the above ingredients call it anything but guacamole.
,
Not everyone likes the “original purest recipe”! Hopefully you can forgive those that don’t. Pretty insulting.
I have a Mexican friend who makes hers very much like this. She will add sour cream and chopped tomatoes at times, depending on the occasion. I think hers is about the best I have ever had, and she got the recipe from her grandmother. I will confess to making cheater guacamole with salsa, though. I like salsa and guac, and often end up just combining the two on my plate, so if I am looking for a very quick version for a snack or lunch, I will do the salsa/avocado smash up. It’s delicious either way, I think!
For me, the essentials are avocado, lime juice, cumin, salt and pepper to taste. If I have any around, I’ll add mashed garlic, red onion, diced tomato and cilantro–or salsa, but I don’t usually have that on hand.
My recipe is from my good friend from Columbia. She makes it daily and doesn’t have any tomatoes in it: Just avocadoes, a small bit of minced onion, lots of cilantro, salt to taste, a few dashes of tabasco, and lime juice. My 3 year old loves helping me make it and eats most of what we make. I use grape tomatoes and carrots for dipping. So fresh and yummy!
Have you ever thought about putting half of the avocado and adding edamame with spinach? Really good too that’s how I sneak it in for my kids
I’m anxious to try this recipe. I’m new to making quac, so can anyone tell me once made, how long will this last? Day or two? Week? Thanks.
Sounds great but why no lime juice it keeps the avocado from turning brown or cilantro?
I’ve been cooking with avocados for some time now and yes they r pretty good in mostly everything lol salads,sandwich’s,raw and yes in soup ^_^…ok maybe not in soup at least that’s not for me lol. ^_^’
It’s good that avocados r getting to be so popular again seeing as they r very good for u yay. ^_^ <3
I'm sorry to be asking such silly questions but I've been making it with those 2 ingredients for so long now and was really just wondering if there is a good reason to not put them in my guacamole?
Ty so much for ur time. ^_^
My kids eat it before it can turn brown!
Yep avocado, lime juice salt and pepper and a bit of tobasco is my quick dip recipe trying to find something healthy for unexpected visitors
I love this guacamole!!! And I agree with Virginia, the lime juice helps it keep from browning.
I recommend adding a healthy dose of lime juice!
I agree Virginia! It not only lends a crisp fresh taste, but also hinders the oxidation of the guac.
I will make a side of hot sauce with cumin to be added if wanted.
I was thinking the same thing when I was reading the recipe. Where is lime???
I’m 17 and an intense athlete. I regularly have practices that are over 3-4 hours. Does my body not need carbs when I’m working out this much?
Also, thank you so much for your site. I can’t tell you how great of a resource this has been for me!
You do need carbs, but that does not mean bread, etc. You can get all the carbs you need from fruits, veggies, and especially root vegetables like carrots, turnips, parsnips, sweet potatoes, etc. Your body will burn fats and proteins, too, for energy, so be sure you are staying well hydrated (to protect the kidneys, as protein metabolism makes a little more work for them) and getting plenty of calories from those sources, as well. Another note, 3-4 hours is alot of exercise, especially if it is high intensity. At your age, you can handle it, but please use caution, as it can interfere with your hormones and contribute to inflammatory disease processes if you are not careful.