This guacamole recipe is the easiest because it uses pantry staples. But there are also the ingredient amounts you need if you want to swap in whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand.
This is a very versatile guacamole recipe that uses mostly seasoning instead of chopped fresh ingredients. By using seasonings, it’s just quick to measure in what you need, instead of doing a lot of chopping. Also, you can make a larger batch of the seasoning blend and then just add it on the fly to mashed avocados whenever you want a super-quick and easy guacamole, making it the easiest and quickest ever. Note though, that if you have some fresh ingredients that you want to chop and use, the amounts are given below. So you can do all pantry, all fresh, or anywhere in between, and know that it will be deelish!
Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
Why Is This The Easiest Guacamole?
With this recipe, it’s easier than ever to mix up a batch of guacamole at any time. This has truly revolutionized how often I make guacamole.
My kids love avocados and so I always have a few of them in the fridge. When I used to think about mixing up some guacamole, I’d then think about chopping the onion, tomatoes, cilantro (if I even had all those things), and I’d end up just cubing the ripe avocado as a topping or slicing it for avocado toast instead. And don’t get me wrong, those are great! But I think guacamole is better.
Since coming up with the seasoning version of guacamole, I almost always go the guacamole route now, mashing avocados and adding the seasoning. You can learn more about my amazing homemade guacamole seasoning and get a recipe for making a large batch to have on hand. If you’re making enough for just two avocados though, it’s in the guacamole recipe below. It’s still quicker to just measure in some seasonings than it is to start chopping things.
What Seasonings For Guacamole?
For this easy guacamole recipe, we’re seasoning with dried cilantro, onion and garlic powder, tomato powder (I explain what it is below!), cumin, salt, a touch of cayenne pepper, and then something citrussy.
I will warn you that the cumin is a little on the strong side, so if you’re not a huge fan of that flavor in your guacamole, you can reduce that amount.
The tomato powder is a really cool ingredient that adds some tangy richness, but it’s optional because it’s harder to find. I ordered mine online. It tastes like sundried tomatoes. I don’t recommend that you use something like tomato paste instead because it changes the color of the guacamole. What you can do though, if you want to stick with pantry staples and don’t want to buy the tomato powder, is to strain a 10 ounce can of Rotel, or use 1/4 cup of drained canned diced tomatoes (petite diced is best here), or 1/4 cup of drained salsa. Just put the Rotel, canned tomatoes, or salsa in a fine mesh sieve over the sink and shake it a bit so some of the liquid falls out through the tiny holes of the sieve.
If you’re eating the guacamole right away, you don’t need to add anything else. But if it’ll be on the counter or in the fridge for a bit, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or lime juice to help prevent discoloration. I’m sure you have already experienced how that guac starts to brown after sitting out. You can use bottled lemon or lime juice here, since we’re keeping things easy. If you don’t have lemon or lime juice but you want that citrussy note, you can use one pinch of crystallized lime (like the brand True Lime), or two pinches of lemon pepper, ground coriander, or sumac, all of which have nice citrus flavors.
When using seasonings as the bulk of your flavoring for guacamole, be sure to let it all sit for a few minutes after mixing it together. This allows the dried cilantro to hydrate and the flavors to blend before you start to dip your tortilla chips.
If you will only be using 1 avocado, mix up that batch of seasoning below, which will make about 1 tablespoon, and use half of it (which is 1 and 1/2 teaspoons) per 1 avocado.
Swapping In Fresh Ingredients
Now, let’s talk about the hybrid guacamole where you have some of the fresh ingredients and want to swap those in for the pantry items. If you have the ingredients, and the time and energy, you can swap some or all of them out for a more authentic taste and texture.
Definitely add the cumin and salt from the seasoning list. Then do any of the below swaps, depending on your time, energy, and what you have on hand to make your best guacamole.
For 2 avocados:
- Instead of dried cilantro, you can 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro.
- Instead of garlic powder, use 1/2 clove of minced garlic.
- Instead of onion powder, use 1 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion, white onion, or chopped green onion.
- Instead of cayenne, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of minced jalapeño.
- If you’re using the lime zest, you can also add in a teaspoon of lime juice. Or, skip the lime zest completely and use 2 teaspoons of lime juice. The fresh lime juice adds tangy flavor and also helps delay the avocados browning
- You can also stir in 1/2 of a chopped tomato instead of the tomato powder.
More Recipes For Taco Night
If you’re a big avocado fan, you can try our Avocado Soup and Avocado Mac and Cheese. But, if you’re looking for taco recipes to serve alongside the homemade guacamole, try the ones below.
Podcast Episode: Making Easy Guacamole
Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this recipe, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
Print
Easiest Guacamole Recipe
This guacamole recipe is the easiest because it uses pantry staples. But there are also ingredient amounts in the note below for if you want to swap in fresh ingredients that you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 2 avocados
- 1 tsp. dried cilantro*
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. tomato powder (optional)
- 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1–2 tsp. lemon or lime juice (optional)**
Instructions
- Pit and peel the avocados. Add them to a medium-sized bowl and use a fork to mash them.
- To the bowl add the dried cilantro, onion powder, tomato powder, lime zest, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, cayenne, and citrus juice, if using. Mix.
- Let sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the cilantro to hydrate and the flavors to blend.
- Stir again and serve with tortilla chips.
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Notes
*If desired, fresh ingredients can be substituted for some of the seasonings here. Use 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped cilantro instead of dried, 1 tablespoon of finely minced red or white onion, or chopped green onion instead of onion powder, 1/2 of a tomato chopped instead of tomato powder, 1/2 clove of minced garlic instead of garlic powder, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon minced jalapeño pepper instead of cayenne.
**If you won’t be serving the guacamole immediately, it’s best to add in the citrus juice, which will help slow any discoloration of the avocado. You can use bottled or fresh citrus juice. If you don’t have any though, don’t worry. You can get that citrus flavor from a pinch of crystallized lime, like True Lime, or from two pinches of lemon pepper, ground coriander, or sumac, all of which have delicious citrus flavors.
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