Authentic Guacamole Recipe In A Molcajete

Name: Authentic Guacamole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 medium avocados; 1 small white onion (diced); 2 small tomatoes (diced); 1 small bunch cilantro (chopped); 2 serrano or jalapeño peppers (chopped); 1 large lime (juice); ⅛ tsp cumin seeds; 1 small garlic clove (peeled); salt (to taste)

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This authentic guacamole recipe is simple and easy to follow, and it only requires a few ingredients. With its unique flavor and texture, guacamole makes the perfect snack or side dish for any occasion.

Authentic guacamole recipe made in a molcajete.

Guacamole is a popular Mexican dip made from avocados, onions, tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro and salt. It is a creamy and delicious dish that can be served with tortilla chips or as an accompaniment to tacos and burritos.

It’s known that guacamole has existed for over half a millennia ago when the Aztecs used to make crushed avocados combined with chili peppers and tomatoes.

The name guacamole comes from the Nahuatl aztec language. Ahuacatl means avocado and molli translate in sauce. So the combination of both words literally translate in avocado sauce.

After the Spaniard colonization, different ingredients such as onion, cilantro, and garlic were added.

Modern recipes of this popular dip vary according to the state in Mexico where is made, but overall, the traditional recipe is always prepared with fresh and local ingredients.

Ingredients

Avocados: You will need ripe avocados, read the FAQ below for tips how to choose them.
Tomatoes: One medium, firm tomato for every large avocado.
Onions: You can add either white, yellow or red onions.
Chili peppers: From green to red, it doesn’t matter, as long as they’re fresh. Jalapeño, serrano or any fresh chile pepper you can find where you live.
Cilantro: This is an optional ingredient but it adds freshness and a superb taste.
Limes: Freshly squeezed lime juice.
Spices: Garlic, cumin seeds, and salt is what my family always add to this recipe.

Utensils needed

To make an authentic guacamole recipe you’ll need a molcajete, a large mortar made from volcanic stone widely used in Mexican cuisine. It is used to make many Mexican foods, especially salsas, but also to ground seeds and spices.

If you’re a Mexican food lover and enjoy making authentic Mexican recipes, then you definitely should invest in a molcajete since they last a life time. You can find them locally at Mexican kitchen stores or also online.

If you don’t own a molcajete you can use a mortar instead, or you can also simply make this recipe in a bowl. Keep reading because I’ll tell you how.

How To Make Authentic Guacamole Recipe

Place 1 teaspoon salt, garlic, and cumin seeds in a molcajete. Pestle until you’ll have a paste.

Salt, garlic, and cumin seeds grinded into a paste in a molcajete.

Slice avocados in half, remove the pit and skins and scoop the pulp into the molcajete.

Use the pestle to mash avocados until nicely combined with the garlic paste.

Add diced onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and chopped chili peppers. Add the juice of half a lime.

Diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and chilies added to the molcajete with mashed avocados.

Mix to combine, taste, and add more lime juice and salt if needed. Serve directly in the molcajete.

Top Tip: Place the avocado pit in the middle of the mixture to prevent the guacamole from becoming brown too quickly.

Authentic guacamole recipe done in a molcajete.

How to make it in a bowl

Slice avocados in half, remove the pit and using a fork scratch the pulp into a mixing bowl.
Add the onion, tomato, cilantro, chili pepper and lime juice.
Season with garlic powder, ground cumin and salt. Mix everything to combine.

All ingredients for authentic guacamole recipe on a bowl ready to be combined.

Recipe Variations

If you’re looking for creative ways to jazz up your authentic guacamole recipe, then you’ve come to the right place! This is a versatile dish that can be customized in many different ways.

Spices: You can smash one garlic clove of a few cumin seeds in the molcajete before smashing the avocados, it adds some flavor. Make sure you don’t add to much or the spices will cover the delicate taste of avocados. And please, stay away of those store-bought guacamole seasoning packets.
Mexican crema or Greek yogurt: A few spoonfuls adds extra creaminess to the dish, also a very nice sour flavor that balance well with the sweetness of avocados.
Cheese: You can also add a bit of crumbled queso fresco.
Nuts & seeds: Chia seeds, chopped nuts or toasted pepitas adda a crunchy kick.
Chorizo or bacon: Cooked until crispy then sprinkled on top, believe me, it takes your guac to the next level!
Fruit: Pomegranate, apple or mango are my favorite fruits to add, the sweetness just brings the flavor so well together.
Chapulines: Mexican fried grasshoppers. If you feel brave enough, try them, they are a staple in some states in Mexico.

Serving Suggestions

Besides by serving this appetizer with chips, there are a lots of other options, see below some of my favorites:

Tacos Gobernador (shrimp tacos).
Steak Fajitas.
Mulitas (carne asada taco-quesadilla).
Chicken tostadas.
Vegan tacos (with lentils)
Huevos divorciados.
Chicken burritos.

Guacamole in a molcajete. Seen from above.

How To Store

Adding water: Place your guacamole in a jar and carefully add a little bit of water on top, making sure it won’t mix with the dip. Cover and when you ready to eat it, just carefully discard the water, give a quick mix and enjoy!

Cover it with cling film: When in contact with oxygen hits the avocado’s cells, they begin to oxidize and turn brow. So make sure to cover the mixture with cling film pressing it against the surface so it will act as a shield from oxygen exposure.

Adding the avocado pit to the dip. This is a very common practice in Mexico, I don’t think it really helps, but that’s what our mothers taught us so we keep doing it over and over. Anyway, it won’t affect the taste if you use this method, so go ahead.

Adding more lime juice: I only recommend this if you’re really into acidic flavors, as the extra juice changes a lot the guacamole’s taste, something not everyone likes.

FAQ

What is traditional guacamole made of?

A traditional and authentic guacamole recipe is made of ripe avocados, onions, tomatoes, chili peppers, and lime juice.

Does traditional guacamole have tomatoes?

Yes. Tomatoes have a sweet and fresh taste that perfectly combine with avocados. Even the Aztecs used to add tomatoes to this ancient recipe.

What is the secret to good guacamole?

The secret for an authentic guacamole recipe is to use fresh produce and have a balance in flavors using a tiny bit of certain spices without overwhelming the delicate flavor of avocados.

How to pick avocados?

To tell if an avocado is ripe, gently push with your thumb on the top where the stem connects. If the fruit is ripe enough, the flesh should give a little. If it feels too soft means the avocados are over-ripe.
If it doesn’t have any give at all, then it is probably too firm and won’t be ripe enough. You can still buy them, wrap them individually with paper and place them in your countertop for a couple of days, then they will be ready to make this authentic guacamole recipe.

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