The Only Guacamole Recipe You'll Ever Need (2024)

FAQs

How do Mexican restaurants keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a barrier with the air. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap, so it is flush with the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or put the guacamole in a sealed tub.

You see, lime is a very strong acidic flavor and it can easily overpower the delicate flavor of the avocado.

It isn't exposed to air

But if you can eliminate any contact with air, guacamole — or even an avocado half — can be stored for longer without changing colors. That's largely why placing half an avocado face-down in water inside the fridge works, among other options (via Avocados From Mexico).

Not only did the lemon juice work well to prevent browning on the surface of the guacamole, but it also did a noticeably better job than the lime juice.

“Each panned guac gets sealed airtight with Saran Wrap,” he said. “Then it gets lidded, labeled and stored for later use. This process ensures freshness and prevents browning,” he continued.

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.

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).

The basic basic of Guacamole is Avocado, Tomatoes, Onion with salt to taste. General rule leave the guac under salted as Chips served with it are salted which you do not want an overly salty guac. Juice of a lemon or lime can be used to slow down the browning process.

Sour cream is a simple addition to your favorite guacamole recipe. Just a few tablespoons to a small batch recipe will do it. The sour cream adds a nice tang without being too overbearing and it also creates a creamy, silky mouthfeel. A fabulous contrast to the crunch of tortilla chips.

Apple cider vinegar: This has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor that can be a good substitute for lime juice in guacamole. Use about half as much vinegar as you would lime juice. Orange juice: This has a sweet and citrusy flavor that can add a unique twist to your guacamole.

Is it okay to freeze guacamole? ›

You can freeze guacamole for up to 3 months. So, if you have a good avo that's about to turn, mash it, mix it with guac ingredients (here's the full recipe), drizzle with oil and freeze for when you next need a creamy avo dip hit, or want to jazz up a mid-week Mexican dinner.

Guacamole enthusiasts have devised all kinds of tips and tricks for how to keep avocados from turning brown and many have trickled down to guacamole storage: Leaving the pit in, pressing plastic wrap onto the surface, and adding citrus juice are popular options, but there are plenty of eclectic anti-browning methods ...

Once you've sliced it, here's what to look for inside:

Fresh, ripe avocados have a smooth, creamy consistency. However, if the flesh appears brown or gray, has dark or discolored patches inside, feels slimy or mushy, or has extensive brown spots or streaks, these are clear indicators of overripeness.

But as every guac fan knows, the stuff has a tendency to look nasty in a hurry, a problem only compounded when the product is made in advance. Fortunately for Wholly, the brand had already pioneered a high-pressure process that removes all the air from the container, so the batch doesn't oxidize and turn brown.

The main goal is to prevent oxygen from touching the avocado's flesh. Plastic wrap is a practical, albeit not foolproof way to slow down the natural course of fruit aging. The trick is to make sure the plastic wrap is sealed flush with the flesh.

"The onion releases sulfur, which keeps your avocado green," she said, explaining the chemical reaction that halts the oxygen from interacting with the enzymes in an avocado. Nicole Keshishian Modic of KaleJunkie shows us her trick to storing avocado halves.