4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much lime juice to keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

Editor's Tip: You may have heard a squirt of lemon or lime juice also keeps guacamole from browning. It's true—as long as you cover the entire surface of the dip with citrus juice.

I like the flavor better with lemon juice, but lime works too. If you're out of fresh lemons or limes, try using bottled lime or lemon juice. Although, freshly squeezed juice is definitely the best! Salt: Salt enhances the flavors and brings it all together.

If you taste your guac and it is bland, start with more salt. Next, add lime juice. Often an additional pop of citrus is all guac needs to come alive and taste better. If you still aren't happy with the taste, you can rely on mix-ins to jazz it up.

With ripe tomatoes so rare in the U.S., I generally leave them out.) I know what you're about to ask. "But what about oxidation?” While lime is touted as a way prevent avocados from browning, it takes a lot of lime for that to work—and it's generally a bad idea to transform a dish's taste for aesthetic reasons.

Typically the recipe is 3 to 4 avocados, 1 to 2 tomatoes, 1/2 onion, 1 to 2 hot peppers, 3 to 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice, 1 garlic clove (optional), and salt and pepper to taste. Adding too much lemon or lime juice can cause a very watery guacamole.

The lemon juice is used to give it a sour touch, and prevent it from oxidizing. However, adding too much will bitter the flavor of your guacamole.

The next time you make guac, just spray the top with some vegetable oil, coconut oil, or olive oil spray, then cover it in plastic wrap. It should stay green for up to 24 hours, according to PureWow.

Although brown guacamole isn't the most appealing, it's completely safe to eat (as long as you've stored the guacamole in the refrigerator, and it isn't more than three days old). "While a bit off-putting to look at, brown guacamole is totally safe," confirms Food Network's nutritionist, Dana Angelo White, MS RD ATC.

From the second you crack open that avocado, it's a race against the clock before it goes brown. But with the right prep, you can make guacamole last in the fridge for three to four days. Planning on storing guacamole in the freezer? It should last for three to four months.

For fresh guacamole, if well-sealed from the air, it should stay green for 1-2 days.

Why do Mexicans use so much lime? ›

Lime is used frequently in Mexican cuisine, most notably in guacamole. Lime juice and zest add a tart, acidic flavor that pairs well with the creamy avocado and spices like cilantro. Lime can also be used to brighten up other dishes like tacos or quesadillas.

Lemon juice: If you don't have lime juice on hand, you can use lemon juice as a substitute in guacamole. Lemon juice has a similar tangy and acidic flavor to lime juice, and it will work well in most guacamole recipes.

Pretty straightforward, right? Well, think again. In Mexico, the word limón (whose direct translation is 'lemon') refers to the small, green fruits that the English-speaking world calls limes. And lima refers to the big, yellow fruits known in the US as lemons.

Never use a metal bowl with avocados as metal makes the avocado turn brown faster. Always use a plastic or ceramic bowl. If possible, use a certamic or a Teflon covered knife for cutting your avocado. This will also help the avocado not turn brown.

There are two reasons for avocados to taste bitter: underripeness, or because they have been cooked. If the avocado is fairly firm, then it's probably just underripe and you can wait.