The Best Basic Guacamole Recipe
Unraveling the mysteries of home cooking through science.

Combining the aromatics with salt before pounding them results in a finished guac that's noticeably more flavorful.
Read more: The Food Lab: The Best Guacamole (and the Science of Avocados)
- Yield:serves 8 as an appetizer
- Active time: 15 minutes
- Total time:15 minutes
- Rated:
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 1 serrano chili, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup picked cilantro leaves, finely chopped, divided
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 ripe avocados
- 2 tablespoons juice from 2 limes
Directions
-
1.
Place onion, chili, half of cilantro leaves, and salt in a mortar and pestle. Pound into a fine paste. Alternatively, combine onion, chili, half of cilantro, salt, and half of lime juice in a food processor or blender and process until smooth paste is formed, scraping down sides as necessary.
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2.
Split each avocado in half, discard pits, and spoon out flesh into a medium bowl. Roughly mash with a stiff whisk. Add onion/chili puree, remaining cilantro leaves, and half of lime juice (if using mortar and pestle method). Fold to combine. Season to taste with more salt and lime juice. Serve immediately with warm tortilla chips.
This Recipe Appears In
The Food Lab: The Best Guacamole (and the Science of Avocados) The Food Lab: Making Pesto or Curry Paste? The Freezer Is Your FriendAll products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.
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