Delicious Guacamole Seasoning Blend

Let’s talk about guacamole seasoning – you know, that perfect mix of spices that makes your guac taste like it came from your favorite Mexican restaurant. I started making my own blend after getting tired of those store-bought packets that always seemed a bit too salty or just didn’t quite hit the mark.

Making your own seasoning mix might sound like extra work, but trust me, it’s actually a game-changer. I keep a jar in my pantry, and it’s ready whenever I need it – whether I’m whipping up guac for taco Tuesday or throwing together a quick dip when friends drop by. Plus, you probably already have most of these spices sitting in your cabinet right now.

The best part? You can adjust the seasoning to your taste. Like it spicier? Add more chili powder. Want more garlic flavor? Go for it! It’s your blend, and that’s what makes it special.

What Kind of Avocados Should I Use?

Hass avocados are your best bet for making guacamole – they’re creamy, rich, and have that perfect buttery texture that makes guacamole so good. When shopping, look for avocados that yield slightly when gently pressed with your thumb, but aren’t mushy. If you can only find firm ones, let them ripen at room temperature for a few days (pop them in a paper bag with a banana to speed things up). A ripe avocado will have a darker, almost black skin color rather than bright green, and the small stem at the top should come off easily to reveal green underneath – if it’s brown under there, skip that one.

Options for Substitutions

This guacamole recipe is pretty flexible and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your pantry:

• Avocados: These are the star of the show and can’t be substituted – just make sure they’re ripe! A ripe avocado will yield slightly when gently pressed.
• Onion and Garlic Powder: You can use fresh ingredients instead – try 1/4 cup finely diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Just remember fresh will give a more intense flavor.
• Cayenne and Red Pepper Flakes: Feel free to swap these with any spicy element you like – try finely diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or even a bit of chipotle powder for a smoky kick.
• Lime juice: Lemon juice works just as well here. You need some citrus to prevent browning and add tang – about 2 tablespoons of either will do the trick.
• Cilantro: If you’re not a cilantro fan or don’t have any, you can leave it out or try fresh parsley instead. Some folks even like to add finely chopped chives.
• Salt: Any type of salt works here – table salt, sea salt, or kosher salt. Just start with a little less if using table salt as it’s more concentrated.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making guacamole is preventing it from turning brown – to avoid this, always add your lime juice immediately after mashing the avocados and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole if storing it.

A common mistake is using underripe or overripe avocados – they should yield slightly when gently pressed but not be mushy, and the flesh should be creamy green without dark spots.

When it comes to seasoning, start with less salt and spice than you think you need since it’s easier to add more later – remember that the flavors will develop and intensify as the guacamole sits.

For the smoothest texture, mash your avocados with a fork rather than a food processor, which can make them too creamy, and taste-test with the chips you’ll be serving since their saltiness will affect how much seasoning you need to add.

What to Serve With Guacamole?

Tortilla chips are the classic go-to for serving guacamole, but there are so many other tasty options to try! Fresh cut vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers make great dippers if you’re looking for a healthier choice. You can also use guacamole as a spread on sandwiches and burgers, or dollop it onto tacos, burritos, and quesadillas for extra flavor. For a fun party spread, serve your guacamole alongside some fresh salsa, queso dip, and both corn and flour tortilla chips so everyone can mix and match their favorites.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: To keep your guacamole from turning brown, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the dip (no air gaps!) and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The lime juice helps prevent browning too, and it’ll stay fresh for 1-2 days. Pro tip: leaving the avocado pit in the guacamole while storing can help it stay green longer!

Make Ahead: If you want to prep ahead, mix all the dry seasonings together and store them in a small jar or container – they’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to make guacamole, just mash your avocados and add the pre-mixed seasonings, lime juice, and cilantro.

Revive: If your guacamole develops a thin brown layer on top, you can simply scrape it off and the green goodness underneath will be perfectly fine to eat. Give it a quick stir, and it’s ready to serve!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	40-75 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 700-800
• Protein: 8-10 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 30-35 g

Ingredients

For the seasoning blend:

• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/8 tsp black pepper (freshly ground preferred for more flavor)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/8 to 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

For the guacamole:

• 4 ripe avocados (Haas avocados are best for guacamole)
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (finely chopped)
• juice from 1/2 a large lime

Step 1: Prepare the Seasoning Mix

In a small bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper.

If you are using dried cilantro, add it to the seasoning mix at this point.

Set the seasoning mix aside for later use.

Step 2: Mash the Avocados

Scoop out the flesh of the avocados and place it into a mixing bowl.

Using a fork, mash the avocados until you reach your desired consistency, whether smooth or a bit chunky.

Step 3: Mix in Remaining Ingredients

To the mashed avocados, add fresh chopped cilantro (if using), the prepared seasoning mix, and lime juice.

Stir everything together until the ingredients are well combined.

Step 4: Chill the Guacamole

Transfer the guacamole to an airtight container and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

This resting time allows the flavors to meld together for the best taste.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Just before serving, give the guacamole a good stir to ensure everything is well combined.

Enjoy your homemade guacamole with your favorite chips, veggies, or as a topping for a delicious meal!