Why Make This Recipe?
This fast, easy guacamole recipe comes together in a cinch. With simple preparation, a few minimal ingredients, and a creamy, snackable taste, it’s the perfect dish for avocado lovers, large crowds, and even kids.
- This basic recipe only takes 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to make, making it the ultimate beginner-level recipe.
- Gluten-free, low-carb, and vegan, this healthy recipe tastes as good as it is good for you. This avocado-based dish packs a ton of essential nutrients, such as vitamin B6, healthy fats, and potassium.
- This mild guacamole recipe is kid-friendly since it doesn’t have any spicy jalapeño or large chunks of onion. However, it’s easy to jazz up with other zesty, fresh, and spicy ingredients. More on that below.
- You can easily make this 4-ingredient guacamole recipe for a crowd by multiplying the recipe. Doubling—or even tripling—this recipe is easy to feed a large group.
Ingredients
As the name suggests, you will only need 4 ingredients for this easy guac recipe. So, gather Hass avocado, garlic, kosher salt, and fresh lime juice.
Since the main ingredient in guacamole is avocado, it’s important to select the best kind. In my opinion, the best avocados for guacamole are Hass avocados because of their creamy flesh, rich taste, and protective skin.
Substitutions and Optional Add-Ins
Whether you make this recipe a game-day snack or a condiment for your favorite Mexican meal, there are countless ways to make it yours. Adding flavor is a snap with these main ingredients.
Substitutions:
- Garlic powder: Garlic powder is an easy, pantry-ready substitute for fresh garlic in this guacamole recipe.
- Lemon juice: Don’t like the taste of limes? Lemon juice will give your guac the same vibrancy without any unwanted bitter taste. You can even omit the extra juice for an easy 3 ingredient guacamole recipe.
Optional add-ins:
The beauty of this healthy guacamole recipe is that you can make it even more delicious with one or more of these optional add-ins. Simply chop them up and add them in as you are making your guacamole.
- Red onion: Red onion is just the ingredient you need for guacamole that packs a punch. Pungent and crisp, this add-in will take your guac to the next level. And if you want to take it up a notch, try adding a tablespoon of my Mexican Pickled Onions.
- Fresh tomato or fresh cherry tomato salsa (pico de gallo): These additional ingredients will give your guacamole brilliant color, juicy texture, and a garden-fresh taste that’s out of this world.
- Jarred salsa: Could you eat salsa by the spoonful? Adding a little of this tasty condiment will give your guacamole a layer of savory, piquant flavor.
- Cilantro: Fresh and earthy, this herb will bring out all the green flavors of your homemade guacamole. One of the best ways to enliven your guac recipes is to sprinkle a handful of fresh cilantro on top of the guacamole.
- Jalapeño: If you love spicy foods, then jalapeno is the ingredient you’ve been looking for. This bright pepper will make every bite of your guac explode in your mouth.
- Ground cumin: Want to add some depth to your four-ingredient guacamole? This rich spice will give any dish a rich, warm, and earthy layer.
How To Make This Recipe?
Ready in five minutes, this easy four-ingredient guacamole recipe is a lifesaver for anyone looking for a quick, delicious fix. Whip up this dish in no time and without the messy clean-up.
- Prepare the avocados: Peel, pit, and cube your ripe Hass avocado, and put the cubes in a medium bowl. Then, use a potato masher or a fork to mash the cubes until smooth.
- Add the rest of the ingredients: Add the garlic, salt, and lime juice to the avocado puree. Stir the mixture until it’s thoroughly combined. You can make it super smooth or leave it chunky depending on your preference. Taste for seasoning and add in more if preferred.
How to Make Ahead, Store, and Freeze
With a working fridge and an airtight container, there’s no reason to let a bite of this basic guacamole go to waste. Meal prep and leftover storage will be a breeze with these handy tips.
- Make-Ahead and Storage: You can make your four ingredient guac up to one day in advance. Evenly spread the guacamole in an airtight container and cover its surface with a thin yet visible layer of water, lemon juice, or lime juice. Then, cover the container with a layer of plastic wrap, pressing the plastic flush against the surface of the guacamole. Once all air bubbles have been removed and the container is sealed, store the guacamole in the fridge. When ready to eat, remove the liquid and enjoy!
- Freezing: Unlike guacamole recipes with water-filled ingredients, like tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos, this simple recipe freezes wonderfully. Just store it in an airtight container, such as a Ziploc bag, and remove as much air as possible. Your leftover guacamole will stay fresh for up to three months.
Expert Tips
This 4 avocado guacamole recipe is super simple to make, but you make your life even easier with these pro tips. Find all the scrumptious secrets about my homemade guac right here.
- Serve your guacamole at room temperature. Not only do ripe avocados have a better flavor when served at room temperature, but cold guacamole is also harder to scoop. Plus, this recipe’s fresh, mild flavors come out when served at room temperature.
- Multiply the recipe for an easy dish to serve a crowd. No one has to lose out on this savory dish. Make sure everyone gets their fill by multiplying this recipe to satisfy as many mouths as your table can handle.
How to Use?
It doesn’t matter whether you make this simple guacamole recipe for nachos, serve it with chili, or eat it by the spoonful. This tasty recipe is guaranteed to stun no matter how you serve it.
- By itself: Serve this delicious dip with tortilla chips or raw veggies for a healthy snack you can make in minutes. Take the stress out of party menus and afternoon pick-me-ups when you have this simple recipe at your fingertips.
- With nachos: Warm, cheesy, and bursting with savory flavor, this Mexican classic is the perfect pair with guacamole. Dollop your 5-minute dip atop my layered Chicken Nachos and prepare yourself for a heap of compliments to the chef!
- With tacos: Guacamole, and tacos? Sounds like a match made in heaven! This mild topping amplifies every bite of savory, rich, and spicy tacos. Try it alongside my Flank Steak Tacos or Brisket Tacos for a meaty meal that will fill you in minutes. Or, serve this good guac with Black Bean Quinoa Tacos for a gluten-free dish vegetarians will adore.
- With quesadillas: Take your ooey-gooey quesadilla to the next level by serving it alongside a bowl of fresh, flavorful guacamole. Serve this condiment alongside my rich, buttery Spinach Quesadillas or Chicken Quesadilla Cake, and your tastebuds will thank you.
- To top off chili or burrito bowls: Want to add a rich, creamy taste to your favorite Mexican bowl? Spoon some guacamole on a bowl of hot, smoky chili—like my White Chicken Chili or Vegetarian Chili—or atop homemade Vegan Burrito Bowls to bring out every layer of flavor.
- Make Avocado Toast or a Burger: If you have any leftovers, simply spread it on a piece of toast the next day and top it off with a fried egg for a delicious and healthy breakfast. Or use it to layer an Avocado Bacon Burger during the BBQ season.
- With Margaritas: What is better than a bowl of guacamole served with margaritas? Try my Pineapple Margaritas or Blueberry Margaritas to treat yourself with some Mexican deliciousness.
FAQs
Have more questions about this five-star recipe? Make this mild guacamole recipe easy with this collection of most-asked questions. You’ll be an avocado expert in no time.
Yes! Though brown avocados may not look appetizing, the browning process results from a chemical reaction when avocado flesh touches to air—a non-toxic process known as oxidation. Avocados can sit out for several days before spoiling.
Guacamole has tons of health benefits. This avocado-based recipe has many vitamins, healthy fats, and potassium, among countless other essential nutrients.
As a general rule, I recommend using one avocado per person. Therefore, you should use four avocados to serve four people.
To make this dish for nachos, follow the recipe as written. Then, put dollops of guacamole on top of your nachos or in a side dish right before serving.
Similar Recipes You Might Like:
If you are a fan of quick and easy appetizers like this guacamole recipe here are a few more recipes that you might also like:
- Roasted Carrot Hummus
- Eggplant Yogurt Dip
- Syrian Red Pepper Dip
- Bread Dipping Oil
- Peach Salsa
- Can’t get enough? Check out all our Easy Appetizer Recipes
If you try this 4 ingredient guacamole recipe or any other one of our easy Mexican recipes on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.
4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 large ripe Hass avocados
Instructions
- Mix together garlic, lime juice, and salt in a large bowl.
- Cut the avocados in half and carefully remove the pit. Scoop out the avocados and place them into the bowl.
- Using a potato masher or the back of a fork mash the avocados until it reaches to your desired level of chunkiness.
- Taste for seasoning and add in if necessary.
Video
Notes
- Salt: I used Kosher salt but you can also use table salt or sea salt.
- Make-Ahead and Storage: You can make this recipe one day in advance. Evenly spread the guacamole in an airtight container and cover its surface with a thin yet visible layer of water, lemon juice, or lime juice. Then, cover the container with a layer of plastic wrap, pressing the plastic flush against the surface of the guacamole. Once all air bubbles have been removed and the container is sealed, store the guacamole in the fridge. When ready to eat, remove the liquid and enjoy!
- Freezing: Unlike guacamole recipes with water-filled ingredients, like tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños, this simple recipe freezes wonderfully. Just store it in an airtight container, such as a Ziploc bag, and remove as much air as possible. Your leftover guacamole will stay fresh for up to three months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Excellent! My whole family loved it! If you like cilantro, be sure to add it. I think it is a must. We like our guacamole on the chunkier side so I mashed the first two of the avocados and left the other two in big chunks. I didn’t add anything else because we like our guacamole without any of the add-ins. I will use this recipe on a regular basis. Thanks!
Agreed. I am a fan of cilantro as well. I like that you left some of the avocados on the chunkier side. That is a great tip.
Thanks for sharing your experience Dorothy.
I had no idea you can store leftover guacamole. Now, I know. This is a super easy recipe. It is great with chips on the side but next time I’ll make it to serve with margaritas. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Joanne,
You surely can with a simple method. 🙂
Glad to hear you enjoyed this easy guacamole recipe. Thanks for coming by.
This was my first time making guacamole and it was SO easy. I did follow your advice and added in some of the goodies you mentioned but it would have been perfect without them. This recipe is surely a keeper. Thanks for sharing.
YAY! So happy to hear that you liked it Liz. Thanks for letting me know.
I was looking for the basic healthy guacamole recipe for our Friday night friends gathering and found this one. Love the simplicity of it. I just added jalapeno peppers to give it a more Mexican kick. It tastes so good! And thank you for the tips about storing the leftovers.
So happy to hear that you liked it Milla. Jalapeno peppers are always a welcome addition to guacamole in our house as well. 🙂