FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Easy Guacamole Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• Optional Add-Ins
• How To Make Guacamole
• My Recipe Tips
• How To Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown
• Serving Ideas
• Easy Guacamole Recipe Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

See my logo up there? Avocado — my favorite food, along with eggs, and veggies, and coffee. I put it in and on everything , but unsurprisingly, my absolute favorite way to use it is this easy guacamole recipe . It’s just not Mexican night without it. I based it on a combination of the one I love from Chipotle (you know I love replicating my faves from there, like Chipotle barbacoa ) and the ones I’ve had in Mexico. And I think it’s perfect this way. Grab some avocados and make this homemade guacamole with me!

Why You Need My Easy Guacamole Recipe

• Creamy, tangy, flavorful, and simple – All the things the best guacamole should be, without frills. This is how I’ve made it for years.
• So easy, with just 5 ingredients – Plus salt. I keep my guacamole ingredients super basic, the way I always see it made at authentic Mexican restaurants. You can whip this up in minutes.
• Customization options – Unlike most versions, you might notice mine doesn’t have tomatoes. The authentic ones I’ve had never do, but you can totally add them. I’ve got other variations for you below!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my homemade guacamole recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Avocados – The main ingredient! No substitutes here.
• Lime Juice – For tangy flavor and to slow down browning. I highly recommend fresh lime juice here, but lemon juice works in a pinch. I’ve also used bottled lime juice , but it’s much less flavorful.
• Sea Salt – My go-to ratio is 1/8 teaspoon per avocado, but you can adjust to your taste.
• Red Onions, Jalapenos, and Cilantro – These are the classics that I think are must-haves. You can swap in white or yellow onions if you prefer, and see my tips below for adjusting the jalapeno heat. If you’re not a cilantro fan, parsley will work, but personally it’s not for me.

Optional Add-Ins

I use the simple guacamole ingredients above most often, but here are some ways to change it up:

• Tomatoes – To stretch how much dip you get, fold in a diced, seeded roma tomato. Restaurants often add them to their guacamole recipes to cut costs, but the most authentic quality ones I’ve visited do not . Tomatoes do add a hint of sweetness and juiciness, so feel free to add them if you like that.
• Roasted Garlic – One of my favorite Mexican places adds this and it’s incredible! When I make it at home, I just roast garlic in the oven , then mash a few cloves and fold in.
• Salsa – I love this cross of homemade guacamole and salsa! Just add 1/4 cup of salsa with fresh tomatoes , my classic homemade salsa , or your favorite store-bought version.
• Tropical Fruit – Mix in diced pineapple or mango for sweet contrast. I recommend dicing these fairly small.
• Spices – Some people I know add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or ground cumin for extra flavor. I usually skip these.

How To Make Guacamole

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Prep the avocados. Slice the avocados in half with a sharp knife. Remove the pits and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl.
2. Mash the avocado flesh with lime juice and salt. I usually just use a fork, but a potato masher or even mortar and pestle can make it faster for a big batch.
3. Fold in the minced onions, jalapenos, and cilantro. If you’re using any of my optional add-ins, fold those in at this time, too. This guacamole recipe, like most, is best enjoyed right away!

My Recipe Tips

• Ripe avocados are key — and here’s my trick to ripen them faster: If they’re too hard, they’ll be hard to mash, and your guac will turn out kind of tasteless and less creamy. You can’t ripen them the same day, but I place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana the day before if they’re not quite there. This ripens them faster.
• Don’t mash too much. This is just my personal preference, but most people I know like guacamole a little chunky like me (rather than totally smooth like the kind in those store-bought containers). The texture is better with some avocado pieces! And if you want something extra chunky, I recommend my avocado salsa instead.
• Chop your onions, jalapeno, and cilantro finely. This way you get some in every bite, and no bite is overpowering.
• Fold gently in the last step. If you continue to mash, your guacamole turns out too mushy.
• How to make it less spicy: My recipe for guacamole is fairly mild, especially because I leave out the jalapeno seeds. But when I make this for my kids, I still cut the amount of jalapenos in half.
• How to make it more spicy: If you prefer more heat, you can leave in the seeds, or even throw in an extra pepper. They can vary in heat level, too, so I recommend starting with my recipe as written, then taste and fold in more to your taste. You can also swap in a serrano pepper, which is hotter than a jalapeno.
• Prep ahead to save time. I don’t recommend mashing avocados in advance (although I do have some tips below to slow down browning), but I often chop the onions and jalapenos ahead and keep them in the fridge.

How To Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown

I definitely prefer making this fresh and have yet to find a flawless way to prevent guacamole from browning. But I’ve used these tricks to make it last a bit longer:

• Plastic wrap – Scoop into an airtight container, press plastic flush against the surface, then cover with a lid. It’s the easiest but not super effective, since the plastic wrap is not airtight.
• Guacamole container – This special container actually does an amazing job and pushes the air out. I hate cleaning it, though.
• Oil barrier – Pour a thin layer of avocado oil on top before covering, then drain and stir before eating. Some people do this with water, but I don’t like that because it makes the guac… well, watery. A reader told me she did this with lime juice and it worked well, so that’s on my list to try!
• Extra lime juice – This only helps for an extra hour or two, but I add a little more than my base recipe if I’m making this for a party.
• Just scoop off the top – Honestly, I do this most often if it’s just a day or so. Guac browns where it’s in contact with air, so if I remove the top layer, I find green underneath.
• Freeze – I don’t like eating thawed guacamole by itself, but it works okay mixed into another dish. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. It browns less if you blend it before freezing, and of course, make sure to push every last air bubble out of the freezer bag.

Serving Ideas

My easy guacamole recipe goes with anything Mexican! Here some ways I like to eat it:

• Chips – My faves are my homemade tortilla chips , but for these pictures I cut cheese crisps into triangles! You can even use zucchini chips for scooping.
• Fresh Vegetables – Mini bell pepper halves, cucumber slices, jicama sticks, thinly sliced radishes, and celery sticks are all great for dipping or topping. I love when restaurants offer this!
• Tacos & Fajitas – I love a dollop of homemade guacamole over my taco salad ! You can also stuff it into actual tacos (so good on my barbacoa tacos , chicken tacos , or with my carne asada ), or serve it with chicken fajitas .
• Other Mexican & Tex-Mex Dishes – I’ve enjoyed it over classic chili , on my burgers , and even over Mexican street corn .

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 2 medium Avocados ▢
• 1/2 tbsp Lime juice ▢
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt (to taste) ▢
• 1/4 cup Red onion (minced) ▢
• 1/2 medium Jalapeno (minced; or more for extra heat) ▢
• 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro (minced) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Slice the avocados in half. Remove the pits and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl.
2. Add the lime juice and sea salt. Use a potato masher or fork to mash to your desired consistency.
3. Fold in the red onion, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right texture in your guacamole, how to adjust the spice level, and my favorite way to (partially) prep ahead.
• Variations: See my optional add-ins above to change up the flavor and texture.
• Storage and preventing browning: Guacamole tastes best fresh, but I’ve got tips to slow down browning above to make it last a little longer.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Easy Guacamole Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Easy Guacamole Recipe

Make this easy guacamole recipe like a Mexican restaurant, in minutes! You just need avocado, lime, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and salt.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/guacamole-recipe/

Ingredients

• 2 medium Avocados
• 1/2 tbsp Lime juice
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
• 1/4 cup Red onion (minced)
• 1/2 medium Jalapeno (minced; or more for extra heat)
• 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro (minced)

Instructions

1. Slice the avocados in half. Remove the pits and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl.
2. Add the lime juice and sea salt. Use a potato masher or fork to mash to your desired consistency.
3. Fold in the red onion, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right texture in your guacamole, how to adjust the spice level, and my favorite way to (partially) prep ahead.
• Variations: See my optional add-ins above to change up the flavor and texture.
• Storage and preventing browning: Guacamole tastes best fresh, but I’ve got tips to slow down browning above to make it last a little longer.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)