This Old Gal’s Simple Guacamole Recipe will blow you away. Fresh ingredients and as good as table side Guacamole from the best Mexican restaurant.
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo! There is a place in West Palm Beach, Florida, which makes the best Guacamole. I briefly talked about their tacos and guacamole in my Creamy Baja Fish Tacos White Sauce recipe and my Air Fryer Baja Fish Tacos recipe, a few weeks ago. It’s a cute little joint, called Rocco’s Tacos.
Ed and I used to frequent the restaurant quite a bit, as we love their fish tacos. Do you want to know the secret to great Guacamole?
While sitting at the table, watching the Guacamole person prepare the Guacamole in their Handmade Lava Rock Molcajete for our table, I kept my eye on the ingredients. There weren’t very many and I was determined to replicate the process, but making it even better.
I think I can safely promise you that this recipe will be the easiest and quickest Guacamole recipe you have ever made. I also kind of feel confident in betting you that it will also be the best. Very often, simple is best, right? The Avocado is the star and needs to shine. I’m serious, I was floored at the results and frankly, I never had any feelings that I wanted to change anything.
From that first time back when I created my recipe in 2011 and then listed it for sale on ebay on January 6, 2012, I knew that was it! The secret is, less is more. The Avocado should be the star of the show and the other ingredients are background day players. No one spice should over power the fresh Avocado flavor and texture.
As I learned to love Avocados while living in California (see my notes on that in my Air Fryer Crispy Avocado Fries recipe), Hass Avocados were my Avocado of choice. However, after returning to Florida for a few years where Hass aren’t always available, I started to appreciate the Choquette, Hall and Lulu Avocados and sometime chose them over the Hass, for a less “oily” taste.
But, my go to are the Hass and they are what I used when I first created this recipe in Florida.
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Ingredients to Simple Guacamole
- Ripe Avocados
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Red Onions
- Tomatoes
- Taco Seasoning
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Cilantro
- Jalapeño Pepper
With my quick and easy method, you will only need a few ingredients.
I was in a hurry one day and was craving Guacamole, and decided to use what I had on hand. The result was incredible. It was as good as Rocco’s Tacos, if not, even better!
Of course, I love to get into the mood, so I use a Handmade Lava Rock Molcajete.
What is a Molcajete?
- It is usually a round bowl with three legs.
- An authentic Molcajete is carved out of one piece of lava rock.
- Molcajetes are used to make Guacamole and Salsa. They are also referred to as “Mortar and Pestle.”
There are also some made from Marble or Granite. Inside the Molcajete, the surface is quite rough, which makes it perfect for grinding and crushing spices.
Seasoning the Molcajete prior to first use is imperative, which is explained below. Much like Cast Iron, Molcajete‘s get better over time, as they carry over their flavors from one use to the next.
Make sure to properly cure the Molcajete first, before using.
How to Season a Molcajete
- You will need to soak your Molcajete in water for a couple of hours and then let it air dry.
- Add a handful of Rice and pound it with the pestle until it is powder. The powder will be grey in color. Repeat this step until the rice flour is no longer grey.
- Then add a Clove of Fresh Garlic, Fresh Cilantro, Cumin Seeds and Kosher Salt. Smash that up into a paste and let it sit in the Molcajete overnight.
It may take a few batches of my This Old Gal’s Simple Guacamole to fully season your Handmade Lava Rock Molcajete, but it will be totally worth it.
You know how after your Cast Iron Skillet has become nicely seasoned thing just cook better?
Similar principle.
Fresh Limes are always the best and I enjoy a good dosing of Fresh Lime Juice. If you cannot get Limes in your area, hopefully you have a bottle of True Lime Crystallized, which you can sprinkle in a Tablespoon of fresh water and pour that over the Avocados.
It works, just like Fresh Lime juice, which will keep the Avocados from turning brown and will also add a Fresh Lime taste. A Lemon/Lime Squeezer works best to squeeze out all the juice from a fresh Lemon.
If you don’t have a lemon/lime squeezer a garlic press will work!
But, when I first created my This Old Gal’s Simple Guacamole (back then, it was just “my Guacamole), I did so using McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix, since I had a packet in my pantry. If you have every made my Pressure Cooker Drive Thru Tacos & Burritos recipe, I list out all the ingredients for my special Taco Mix. I keep a jar of my mix on hand at all times.
Some Recipes you will Enjoy with Guacamole are:
- Air Fryer Baja Tacos with White Sauce
- Pressure Cooker Mexican Chicken Taco Bowls
- Pressure Cooker Crispy Pork Carnitas
- Air Fryer Carne Asada
- Air Fryer Street Tacos
- Pressure Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
Sure, it is better when you use your very own spice mix, but McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix, is fine to use here. Be gentle when you fold in the veggies and the seasonings. I do use fresh salsa, which is super easy to make yourself.
My Taco Seasoning Mix is perfect to use for my Guacamole recipe if you happen to have a batch on hand.
Since this is my “Simple” recipe, I use Fresh Salsa or Pico de Gallo found in the refrigerated section at Costco or Publix. You can also use your favorite jarred Salsa or Pico de Gallo, like Tostitos Chunky Salsa or Pace Chunky Salsa if you like.
My easy to make Classic Pico de Gallo recipe is also perfect to use in place of a wet Salsa. While IMO it is not as good as using the fresh stuff, you will still enjoy my Guacamole recipe.
Enjoy my This Old Gal Simple Guacamole as an appetizer or along side my Pressure Cooker Pork Carnitas or on top of my Pressure Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls.
Warm Tortilla Chips with some Ground Chili or Paprika sprinkled on is very yummy with my Guacamole. For a Low Carb and Keto option, use Pork Rinds.
If you want to spice it up, add a little minced Jalapeño Peppers.
Enjoy!
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- di Oro Living Silicone Spatulas Set
- Alton Brown Salt Box
- 3 ounce Porcelain Dipping/Condiment Bowls
- My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
- Handmade Lava Rock Molcajete
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Here is the handy printable recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 large Avocados ripe
- 1 fresh Lime
- 1.5 Tablespoons Fresh Salsa
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Taco Seasoning
- Fresh Cilantro
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Instructions
- Cut avocado in half and remove the seed.
- With a tablespoon scoop out the meat and place in serving bowl.
- Cut lime in half and squeeze juice over avocado.
- Using a tablespoon, gently break up the avocado so that you have large chunks.
- Add the salsa and the salt.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top.
- Gently fold together so that you have chunky Guacamole.
- Top with a little chopped cilantro
Notes
Seasoning a Molcajete
- Soak your Molcajete in water for a couple of hours and then let it air dry.
- Add a handful of rice and pound it into the mortar with the pestle until it has turned to powder. The powder will be grey in color. Repeat this step over again until the rice flour is no longer a grey color.
- Add a clove of fresh garlic, fresh cilantro, cumin seeds and Kosher salt to the mortar. Smash up the seasonings into a paste and let it sit in the Molcajete overnight.
Justyn says
Sounds yummy I squeeze a bit of orange in mine too.. Love it ?
Jill Selkowitz says
That sounds delicious with orange. Thank you for making this. Jill
Jennifer says
Will this recipe still work if you do not have a lava molcajete?? Can I just use a bowl?? Not sure how this will change the taste??
Jill Selkowitz says
Yes, of course you can use a bowl. We like to make it like they do at restaurants. Jill
KB says
I made this and loved it. You nevertheless let us down with your tried and true recipes. Thank you!
Kb says
TYpo. You never let us down is what I meant to type.
Jill Selkowitz says
Thank you, KB. Jill
Susan says
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I have been looking forward to it ever since you mentioned you were going to be posting it. We love quacamole! Another excellent recipe!
Jill says
You are so welcome, Susan. Enjoy. Jill
Lisa says
Try adding some fresh garlic and let me know how it turns out. 😉
Jill says
I don’t use additional garlic in mine, but I wonder what Barbra would think. Jill