An overhead view of a bowl of guacamole topped with diced red onion, a tortilla chip and a lime wedge with additional chips and limes on the surface.

Why this recipe works

If you’re a fan of guacamole, but find yourself intimidated by the long list of ingredients and in most recipes, you’re in luck. This simple 4-ingredient guacamole recipe uses only the basics to make this creamy dip that is big in flavor. 

Everyone has their own version of guacamole and what they must have in it, whether it be jalapeño, tomatoes, cilantro, lemon juice, or red onion. While all of these versions are delicious in their own right, I stripped down my guacamole to just the essentials so that you can make guacamole any time.  

All you need are some ripe hass avocados, red onion, lime juice, and salt for this basic guacamole recipe. The simplicity of this recipe really lets the avocados shine! This is the perfect recipe if you want to keep it simple, don’t like cilantro or other add-ins, or are limited on ingredients in your pantry. 

You’ll love this recipe because:

  • It’s versatile. Guacamole can be served as a dip, spread, or topping for various dishes, and this recipe is always my go-to with just 4 ingredients. It’s easy to customize, too, if you like to add in other ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, or jalapeño. Start with this base recipe and then customize as you see fit!
  • There’s no cilantro. I know cilantro can be a controversial ingredient. Some say it tastes like soap, while others love it. If you don’t like cilantro, this easy guacamole without cilantro is for you! I promise you won’t miss any of the flavor though!
  • It’s naturally gluten-free. If you have celiac disease like me or are on a gluten-free diet for other reasons, guacamole is the perfect dip for you because it’s naturally gluten-free and is typically served with tortilla chips, which are also gluten-free.

Ingredients

Ingredients on a pink table to make guacamole including six avocado halves, a small bowl of kosher salt, a bowl of diced red onion and two lime halves with text overlays over each ingredient saying what it is.

Ingredient Notes

  • Avocados – Delicious guacamole starts with creamy avocados. Select ripe avocados that are slightly soft to the touch, but not too mushy. To test for ripeness, gently press the skin near the stem to see if it gives slightly. If it’s too hard, it’s not ripe enough, and if it’s too mushy, it’s overripe and will be brown on the inside.
  • Lime juice – Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. If you don’t have lime juice, you can also use lemon juice.
  • Salt – Use a good quality salt, like kosher salt or sea salt. Start with the amount listed in the recipe card and then taste with a tortilla chip to see if you need to add additional salt. 
  • Red onion – Chop the red onion finely, so that you don’t get big chunks of onion in your bite of guacamole. If you don’t love the flavor of raw red onion, you can also soak the onion in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce the sharpness of the flavor. White onion would also work well in this recipe.

Since you’ll need a few avocados for this recipe, you’ll want to buy avocados that are all at the same level of firmness when you’re at the store so they ripen at the same time. If you buy a few that have more give than others, those will ripen more quickly making it difficult to make your guacamole. 

Step-by-Step instructions

Did you know you can make guacamole at home with only 4 ingredients? I’m going to show you how in this easy recipe. You seriously won’t believe how much flavor you can get with just a few simple ingredients.

The below step-by-step photos and instructions are meant to show you how the recipe looks at various stages and not a complete recipe (scroll down to the recipe card for ingredient amounts). Place special attention to how chunky I leave the avocados when I’m mashing them!

For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe, and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.

A glass mixing bowl with six avocado halves in it with a bowl of kosher salt to the side.
Slice the avocados in half and then remove the pit. Add the flesh of the avocados to a large mixing bowl.
A glass mixing bowl with avocado halves, salt, lime juice and finely diced red onion in it.
Add the lime juice, kosher salt, and finely diced red onion to the bowl.
A closeup of avocados and red onion being mashed with a fork in a glass mixing bowl.
Mash with a fork until you reach your desired consistency. I like my guacamole to be on the chunky side.
A closeup of a bowl of guacamole topped with diced red onion, a lime wedge and a single tortilla chip.
Place in a serving bowl and sprinkle additional red onions or lime wedges on top of the guacamole. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

Recipe FAQs

How do I choose ripe avocados for guacamole?

The avocados should have some slight give to them but not be very soft when you gently squeeze it. A hard avocado can take up to a week to ripen, so keep that in mind when buying avocados for guacamole. You will most likely want to purchase them a few days in advance. 

How do you store avocados before making guacamole?

Store avocados at room temperature until they are fully ripe. Once they are ripe, you can place them in the refrigerator to prevent them from going bad quickly. I usually find I can store them in the refrigerator for an extra 2-3 days this way. 

What should I serve with guacamole?

Guacamole is typically served with tortilla chips, but it can also be served with raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or bell peppers, or as a topping for tacos, burritos, burrito bowls or grilled meats and fish.

hints & tips

  • Use a fork to mash the avocados to your desired consistency. The prongs of the fork help to mash the avocado much better than a spoon does. You could also use a potato masher if you prefer. I like to leave my guacamole chunky rather than completely smooth, which gives it better texture in my opinion. 
  • When tasting guacamole to make sure it has enough lime juice and salt in it, use the dipper that you plan on serving the guacamole with. Tortilla chips are already salted, so you want to be sure that you aren’t adding more salt than is needed if that’s what you’re serving it with. Tasting with a spoon will not help you understand if the salt is balanced with the chips. 
  • While the simplicity of this easy 4-ingredient guacamole recipe is delicious on its own, feel free to customize it to your liking. You can easily add cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeño, minced garlic cloves, or garlic powder. Non-traditional additions like pineapple, mango, corn, pico de gallo or beans are also welcome. Use this recipe as a starting point for your own creativity. 

Storage instructions

  • Storage: You can store leftover guacamole in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. In an airtight container, the guacamole will brown quickly, but still be edible if slightly brown. For best results, follow my tips for how to keep guacamole from browning below. 
  • Freezer Option: Guacamole does not freeze well so I do not recommend doing this. It will lose its creamy texture once frozen. 

A hand holding a tortilla chip dipped in guacamole over a bowl of more guacamole.

How to keep guacamole from browning

There is nothing worse when you have put in the hard work to make guacamole and it turns an ugly brown color in the refrigerator. I have the best hack for keeping your guacamole from browning!

First, smooth the surface of the guacamole with the back of a spoon. Then, press a piece of plastic wrap over the surface of the guacamole so that it’s touching. This will make sure you remove as much air as possible touching the surface area of the guacamole.

Pour a shallow layer of water over the plastic wrap and place a lid on top of the container. When you’re ready to serve, just pour the water off the top and stir to serve. It stays green every time and really slows down the browning process!

If you want to cut back on plastic usage in your house, you can also carefully pour water directly on the surface of the guacamole and then pour it off before using. Just stir before using. This method is a little messier than the plastic wrap method, but still will help keep your guacamole from turning brown.

More delicious dips to try

All DIPS

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to know! Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also share your pictures and tag @adashofmegnut on Instagram.

An overhead view of a bowl of guacamole topped with diced red onion, a tortilla chip and a lime wedge with additional chips and limes on the surface.
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4-Ingredient Guacamole

This 4-ingredient guacamole is a quick and easy recipe that requires only a handful of simple ingredients. It's a perfect combination of creamy avocado, tangy lime, flavorful red onion, and a bit of kosher salt. It's so easy to make at home, you'll never need to buy it at the store again.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe large avocados
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice - from 1 lime
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt - or to taste
  • 1/2 cup red onion - finely diced

**Use the toggle button above to turn the instruction photos on and off!

Instructions

  • Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh of the avocado into a bowl.
  • Add the lime juice, kosher salt, and finely chopped red onion to the bowl and mash the avocado with a fork until it reaches your desired consistency. I like to leave mine chunky.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  • Serve immediately or cover and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Please be careful when you are cutting your avocados and removing the pit. Do not try to remove the avocado pit while holding the avocado in your hand. I personally like to cut my avocado in half, and then cut it into quarters. The pit should easily release by pulling it with your hand this way. 
  • Use the chips or vegetables that you are serving the guacamole with when testing to see if it needs more salt or lime juice. If your chips are really salty, that will determine the amount of salt you want to add into your guacamole.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 296mg | Potassium: 385mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.4mg

I'm Megan: a gluten-free food blogger from Chicago and lover of all things food, showing you gluten-free can be easy and delicious, too. Let's make gluten-free stress free together!

5 Comments

  3. Mmm that looks so amazing. Over memorial weekend, my brother and I went to a Mexican restaurant that does a tableside guacamole. We got to watch them make it in front of us. They added citrus to it, which really made it burst with flavor. I’ve always been a guac fan, but now that I’ve had homemade…I’m a guac enthusiast!

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