Remember those locally grown avocados I received? They ripened up just in time for Cinco de Mayo and I put them to use in “Cheater’s” Guacamole.
It’s hard to even call this a “recipe, and no one will ever suspect you didn’t hand slice and dice all your spices.
I’ve mentioned my guacamole recipe and called it “Cheater’s” Guac before, but figured the photo quality could use some sprucing up. Plus, I had avocados to use up.
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“Cheater’s” Guacamole
1 ripe avocado
1 tbsp lime juice (or lemon if that’s what you have on hand)
1 tbsp Mrs. Dash seasoning blend (I use the Griller’s Blend but use your fave or other seasoning blend, i.e TJs Salute Seasoning, McCormick seasonings, or old fashioned garlic, cumin, onions, cilantro, etc.)
1 tsp salt, or to taste
Directions:
Peel the avocado and scoop out the flesh. Add all ingredients into a bowl, mash avocado with a fork, and stir/mash until everything is combined, while retaining some texture. Serve immediately.
Notes & Tips: If you like chilled guacamole, take an already ripe avocado that’s been refrigerated in advance, and then make the guac. However, don’t try to ripen avocados in the fridge. They need to ripen on the countertop.
Avocados oxidize (turn brown) when exposed to air. There is nothing you can do to avoid this entirely but lemon/lime juice helps.
Also, covering unused guac with plastic wrap that’s placed directly on the guac helps.
If you are only using half an avocado, keep the pit in the unused half to reduce oxidation. I’ve also seen people put the whole pit into a bowl of prepared guac in order to reduce oxidation. Being that this recipe takes one minute, it’s not the kind of thing you really need to “make in advance”.
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Lay out your very few ingredients.
Lime juice is probably preferred. But if you have a cute baby Meyer lemon from the preschool teacher’s backyard tree, use that.
You won’t miss chopping all that garlic and raw onions. I sure won’t. I hate garlic and onions!
But in small doses like in the Mrs. Dash and in guacamole, I can embrace stinky veggies and spices.
Mash, mash. 30 seconds later your guac is ready.
Creamy and delicious.
Scott gave me two thumbs on on this one and that’s high praise coming from the man who “doesn’t like avocados”.
Really? Because he sure liked this.
And Skylar loves guac, but she’s my 4 year old garbage disposal. Here she is last summer out at a Mexican restaurant.
She’ll eat anything from chocolate kale chips to raw broccoli to peanut sauce baked tofu.
Chips + Guac = a perfect match for Cindo de Mayo or for summertime parties or just a great snack.
Embrace those healthy fats and get your guac on!
From my previous post about the Super Natural Everyday cookbook review, I am glad the book looked good you and I always enjoy hearing everyone’s cookbook finds and go-to books you can’t live without, too.
Most of all, it was great to read about who wants to write a book or cookbook. I have no idea what the future holds for me. As I said, I never say never. Fun to read about your plans, ideas, and goals, too.
If you’d prefer to use your avocados in a dessert recipe, you could try Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse
You cannot “taste” the avocados. Promise. It fools people, every time. And also is a 5 minute special.
Questions:
1. Do you like guacamole?
Yes!
But I also just love plain, sliced avocados on top of salads. Creamy, rich, perfection.
2. How do you like to prepare your guacamole or do you buy store bought?
I never buy prepared guac in the plastic containers in the store. Knowing what I know, too, about how fast avocados can oxidize, it’s a bit scary to me how they keep the guac in those containers so green!
It’s either full of green food coloring and/or tons of preservatives. I’m thinking there is just no other way.
I’ll make my own, thanks. It only takes a minute after all!
3. Any plans for Cinco de Mayo?
Being that I only live 10 minutes from the Mexican border and it’s 90F out right now (yes major heat wave!), I know that there will be massive fiestas around San Diego this week.
I live in the heart of a fun and hip part of town and the bars are already packed. I can smell the fajitas wafting already. The only thing left is to pour a cold drink or margarita!
However, I won’t be going out because I have to work. Oh well.
Here we were last summer. I’ll just enjoy these memories instead.Happy Cinco de Mayo!
1 or 2 Avocados
Garlic Salt to taste
Bit of lemon juice
Splash of mild chunky Salsa
If you want it a little creamy, add a teaspoon or so of sour cream.
Add avocado halves, garlic salt, lemon juice & chunky salsa to a bowl. Crush avocado halves with a fork, stirring to mix ingredients as you crush. This will keep your avocado from getting too crushed, cause guacamole is ALWAYS better with chunks of avocado.
Here’s the best part – taste it! Add more of any of the above ingredients, as needed, taste testing as you go, to get the perfect blend.
I wanted to try guacamole, since it’s a pretty tame way to taste avocado. Your recipe was a great intro to avocado! Thanks!
I am fortunate the have a neighbor with a lemon tree and doesn’t mind if I use a lemon once in awhile. If you only use half of an avocado, you can rub lemon juice over the surface of the exposed avocado before you wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Use it the next day in a sandwich for a nice treat or in a salad. While it doesn’t stay completely green, it also slows down the oxidation and it is better than not treating it at all!
I am fortunate that I live on a city block where the lemons just fall off the trees certain times of the years and I collect them on my runs and that’s lucky about your neighbor’s tree! Also keeping the pit in the un-used half prevents some oxidization, too, I’ve learned.
Love this post.. Also Guacamole tidbit put the seed back into the dip after you prepare it slows down the oxidation.
Yes! Great tip and I knew that but always a good reminder!
Delicious! I used McCormick basil & garlic Perfect Pinch in and Alaea sea salt- it came out very earthy and pure! Thank you so much!
So glad it was a hit and that it worked out so well for you!
Oh my gosh anything with avacados and I come running! I’m going to check out your raw chocolate mousse next! Yum!
And did you see this post
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2012/01/avocado-cream-cheese-and-salsa-stuffed-puff-pastries.html
And this one
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2012/01/avocado-recipes-giveaway.html
Thanks for reading!
mmm this looks good! 4 ingredients, my kind of recipe.
Wow that looks tasty. Really should have read this while I’m hungry – now all I can think about is guacamole….
Oh i LOVE this idea. Homemade guac is my fav thing to make, but i do normally take the time to chop up the onions, cilantro and add garlic flakes (as I am always nervous I wont dice my fresh garlic small enough). This takes it one step further and I definitely will be trying this tomorrow!
Also, store bought guac is SO awful. I used to buy out of connivence and end up regretting it every time, finally I came to my senses and realized its so worth the smashing time. Store guac is so thin and weird and goo-like. yuck.
I have some avocados that need to ripen. I’m trying to patient with them (they’re even in a paper bag!) because I really want to make this recipe!
i like my guac super simple too – just lemon juice, salt and pepper
Do I love Guac? Are there people that don’t?
Just whipped up a homemade batch tonight (it IS Taco Tuesday, you know!).
Avocado, half a lime, half a small onion, salt, pepper, cumin. De-Lish!
I’m with you, I don’t know how companies keep theirs green, so it’s probably best I make my own. Plus, it tastes better.
My stepdaughter’s birthday is Cinco de Mayo…so we do whatever she wants!
I eat avocado in any way, shape or form. My boss has a home in San Diego, and he owns an avocado orchard. So we benefit. Salad, sandwiches, burritos…any way.
Guac: mix with garlic powder and salsa. Either a little sour cream or lime juice to keep it from turning brown.
oh that’s awesome..I bet you get lots of avocados fresh from the farm..what a treat!
Great guac recipe, very simple. And thanks for reminding me I need to make avocado mousse again. :-)
1. Yes and in dangerous quantity.
2. I like to prepare it because it tastes fresher, I can lighten it up a bit and up the spices.
3. Maybe, we’ll see.
I love guac. I use the Simply Organic guac mix for my ‘cheaters’ recipe. It’s seriously amazing – I put it on everything!! Popcorn, lentils, veggies. I think I’m addicted to it…
need to remember that mix!
Yes more acocado ideas!! I’m all over this :D
Mmm this is great for cinco de Mayo! Guacamole is the perfect dip
Looooove guac! I need to get some fresh avocados right away!! That’s awesome that Skylar isn’t a picky eater! I was the same way… I liked almost everything, haha.
Cinco de Mayo is our anniversary, so we’re going to do things. I’m looking forward to eating Mexican all week as an excuse. :D YUM!
Happy Anniv!!! Ours is the 14th!
Cant wait to hear about your plans!
o!o!o! I know how to prevent oxidization! When you’re done with your guac, put it in a glass container that has a tight lid – I LOVE mason jars for this. Then, before you put the lid on, drape the guac with plastic wrap and push the plastic wrap onto the guac… make sure it’s nicely tucked on there. Then, put on a second layer of plastic wrap but don’t push it down on the guac, just leave it there. Then, screw the lid on. That baby’ll stay nice and green for AT LEAST 2-3 days. boooshaka.
Great tip!
I love me some guac! It totally freaks me out how they keep it green in the containers; ya know what else totally skeeves me out? Pre-sliced, packaged apple slices. How??
I make homemade guac all the time, but it’s always different, different spices each time and always delicious; i’m convinced it can’t be screwed up!
Look great Averie! I adooore guacamole. I’ll have to try it w/ lemon, I usually use limes but this is mouth watering. Mmm
That guacamole looks delicious and super easy. I am having my family over on Sunday this just got added to the menu!
Mrs Dash is a fairly brilliant idea! I uually just mash up the ‘cado with tomato, onions, salt and pepper and call it a day. Avocados are so insanely good on their own, there’s not much you can do to mess ’em up, ya know?
Hey Averie!
I just noticed something! In your last pic, you have your new tattoo blurred out (I remember looking forward to finally seeing it in its entirety!!) but you also blurred out the faces of the strangers around you, which is super-duper-considerate. I appreciate the respect that you show to strangers in your pics and also that you show Scott, with his wish to not be visibly identifiable. kudos!
xo
Sabina
It was a recycled photo that was taken during the interim of when my tattoo was healing before I wanted to reveal it to the world.
And I try not to “out” strangers who were sitting at a bar in the middle of the day on my blog :) They may not really enjoy that…haha!
Love your little girl’s long hair!! What restaurant were you at where the pics were taken? I’ve only been to San Diego once, and I loved it!
While I don’t care for guac, I can really appreciate a non-recipe recipe! No plans for the 5th. Just working and working out, typical day.
YUM! Love guac! I sometimes make it full out & sometimes just mix mashed avocado with salsa. Your pictures are beautiful! And I like the idea of your cheaters version. I’m not sure what we’re going to do for Cinco? Originally I was planning to just cook at home, but Josh’s mom has to come stay with us for the remainder of the work week to do somethings in the area…so maybe we’ll go out?
I was thinking of your beautiful avacados as I shelled out $1.27 for ONE grocery shopping last night! OUCH! But we do love guac and I always make my own…..
What’s funny is that I love avocado in smoothies, I love your raw chocolate mousse, I love guacamole, but I don’t like avocados by themselves. Like at all. Their taste and texture is just weird plain!
No plans for Cinco de Mayo, although I should make some guac!
I’ve got some avocados on my counter just begging to be used. Think I’ll use 2 for making some Guac that I can eat with Mary’s Crackers. And then use the other 2 for chocolate avo mousse. Yum!
When I can find some great cilantro at the store, I toss it on top of my guac.
I won’t be celebrating Cinco de Mayo, but as it happens I will be getting my legs waxed that day. Maybe the weather will cooperate and warm up a bit ;)
Averie, I have been following your blog for quite some time, but I have to tell you today that your pictures are looking more beautiful than ever! :)
I know you have been reading for ages, and thank you, so much for the compliments and for reading :)
Yum!! I don’t think there’s anything “cheater” about this guac!! :-D
I love anything to do with avocadoes! Whenever I make guac it’s always some sort of cheater recipe, whether it’s mixing avocado with a little salsa or mixing it with a little lime juice, cilantro and garlic salt. Quick, simple, delicious.
Excellent pictures, as usual!
This past weekend I went to a place called Cedar Creek Falls (google it, it’s just south of Ramona, in San Diego) for a hike – it’s a 2 mile hike to a lagoon and waterfall that you can swim in…oh it’s amazing. On the way home, I saw a sign for 18 Haas avo’s for $5! Of course we had to stop, turned out the avo’s are all from Fallbrook and were excess (they’re out every day selling them though) from some farmers crop. Awesome! They were smaller than what you’d find at Vons, but the pits were smaller too…and shoot…18 for $5…I highly suggest you check the hike and the avo stand out! :)
Sorry you have to work on Thursday – you should do yourself a favor and make yourself a whole fruit margarita in the Vita! (Have you seen that recipe? It seriously makes the BEST margs)
havent seen the recipe per se but I can imagine how to do it…would be delish!
your hiking trip sounds awesome and the 18 for $5….WOW!
MMMM. I’m not sure if there is anything better on this earth than homemade chunky guacamole!! I make it myself and will definitely be making some for cinco de mayo!
Unfortunately I have a presentation for school on cinco de mayo, but I’ll be celebrating on Friday instead:)
Thanks for the inspiration!
I love your cheater’s guac recipe — and that baby lemon is so adorable!!!
For guac I usually just mash up an avocado and add a few TBSPs of salsa and mix together. Or, I’ll chop up some onion and a small tomato and mix that in instead. Honestly usually we just eat the mashed avocado and call that guac!
You know I love your choc mousse too — that recipe is the best!
Great article. Any kinds of fruits and vegetables grown locally in the garden adds so much more to the meal. I’ve actually just loaded a post on my own site that shows some of the produce from my own garden, helped along with coffee compost.
Keep up the great work on the site.
Your guac looks so good and simple! I’ll adding it to my Cinco de Mayo menu!
I eat a few avocados as week and suggest the Salt-Free Mrs. Dash in the Tequila Lime flavor. It’s very “Cinco de Mayo” and festive :)
I love guac! My brother is the guac master though, his guac gets better every time he makes it!
Your food photography inspires me! This looks absolutely delicious. It’s Mexican week on my blog as well…I could make every week Mexican week and be pretty happy about it. So jealous of your Cinco de Mayo location!
No way, this is pro-guacamole! Cheater’s guacamole would have to be the icky pureed stuff available at the supermarket. Look, you mashed and stirred! :P
There is nothing more fresh and wonderful than homemade guacamole! This reminds me, I need to get some avocados!
GREAT ez guac “recipe,” averie!
i’ve never bought guac – like you say, so easy to prepare it from scratch, at home. i’ll take sliced avacado, plain, any day – love the texture and flavour. (and non garlic or onions, please, either!).
cinco de mayo is not celebrated at all up here (the first time i heard of it was in aruba). i think we’re too far from the mexican border!
have a great day!
yeah san diego vs. canada…totally in touch with the cinco de mayo action down here :)
Happy Cinco De Mayo!
I’ll be working too, but it will be a fun work day-getting to take a trip!
Thanks for all the great avocado recipes, I love your chocolate mousse recipe, better than any of the dairy-based ones I had as a kid.
Enjoy that sunshine! :)
thanks, Reid for lmk you love the choc mousse better than dairy based ones…yep! that’s what I tell ppl too and they dont believe me til they try it :)
Yum Yum! I love avocado, it’s a healthy fruit too. If I’m not busy, I’ll surely try to make this Guacamole recipe at home. Nice photos :)
Love it simply… I am sure it tastes amazing.. i will surely try this.. :P
These photos are seriously GORGEOUS! I love how bright green guacamole is. And the fact that it tastes like heaven. I love it either with corn chips or on top of a big salad!
Yum! This is pretty much how I make my guac but I usually add a tablespoon of salsa or toss some chopped tomatoes in there as well!
I love guacamole, and yours looks wonderful!!!
I have plans for a Mexican dinner for Cinco De Mayo :-)
Yummy! My hubby saw your guac and told me I need to make some, haha. And I have avocados that are almost ready :D I usually like mixing in tomatoes and stuff into mine or at least on top so some people can eat them and others don’t if they don’t want to. I also usually wing it, haha. I also want to try your chocolate mousse. Maybe I’ll scale the recipe down, I think I’m the only one that will eat it, no one else really likes pudding type stuff.
Yum!!!! Maybe this is boring but I like my guacamole to be just avocado, salt and lemon or lime. I like focusing on the avocado taste! I don’t like when there are like tomatoes and other things in it.
not boring, you’re a purist :) me too most days!
Love avocados and love guacomole even more! Def going to try this and yes the pics add a lot. Makes me hungary now.
Suzanne
ahh – your daughter is too cute!
I love guacamole and I’m so ready to try your version, so I can eat it more often! If I’m REALLY lazy, I’ll just buy all-natural store bought and mix it with some all-natural pico de gallo and copious amounts of Tapatio.
I will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with TWO midterms!
Guacamole is so great. My bf made a great version last year with raw corn that was delicious! I hadn’t been thinking about Cinco de Mayo but I will now!
this post has me so excited for cinco de mayo….sooooo excited!
Hi Averie! I’ve missed you lately :)
I saw that you won Heidi’s cookbook. I have made tons of stuff from it already and I am absolutely in love. Dig in :)
good to know you’ve already been making heidi’s recipes..yay! :) and thanks for saying hi!
Looks sooo good, I make mine the same way! Avocados are so naturally delicious, you don’t even miss all those other ingredients that are usually in guac! Beautiful photos as always!
“Beautiful photos as always!”– thank you…I try, but dont always succeed. haha!
Your photos are so amazing!!! I love guac and this recipe is so easy!! LOVE IT!!
thanks for the compliments!
I love fresh guacamole, so easy and delicious! Your daughter is adorable!!
thanks, Jeanette:)