• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Kitchen Prep Blog

Easy Recipes with a Fresh Twist

  • Home
  • About Dianna
  • Recipe Index
  • Work With Me
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Dianna
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Appetizers

    4-Ingredient Guacamole

    Published: Apr 26, 2022 by thekitchenprep · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    My 4-Ingredient Guacamole is an amazingly simple appetizer for everything from parties to Taco Tuesday to Cinco de Mayo celebrations! Serve with tortilla chips to dollop onto your favorite foods for an irresistible, creamy upgrade.

    Overhead shot of 4-ingredient guacamole in a molcajete with scattered tortilla chips beside it.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click a link and purchase an item I’ve recommended. Thanks for your support in running this blog!

    I recently read a funny quote that said, "Don't let anyone treat you like free salsa. You are guacamole, baby. You. Are. Guacamole."

    If your love of guacamole runs as deeply as mine does, then not only will that quote resonate, but so will this recipe for 4-ingredient guacamole!

    Guacamole doesn't need to be complicated to be delicious, and this simple appetizer is proof. Perfectly ripe avocados are mashed with shallot, lime juice and sea salt for the most incredible, creamy guacamole.

    Serve it up with tacos or your Mexican favorites, or straight up as an appetizer with tortilla chips. You really can't go wrong!

    Looking for more recipes that go great with guac? Check out my Sweet Corn & Black Bean Fritters, Baked Chiles Rellenos, Portobello Fajita Wraps, and Charred Corn, Zucchini & Tomato Tacos.

    This recipe is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQ's
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • 4-Ingredient Guacamole

    Ingredients

    This guacamole is extremely simple, which really lets the avocados shine! Here are the 4 ingredients I use:

    • Avocados. I love using Hass avocados for guacamole, but I've also used tropical/Florida avocados and they work just as well although they're a little less creamy.
    • Shallots. I like using shallots when I want an onion flavor without the intensity and bite. Alternatively, you can use chopped red onion that has been soaked in ice water for 10 minutes to tone them down.
    • Fresh lime juice. Lime juice not only adds a nice acidity that cuts through the richness of the avocado, but also keeps guacamole from browning from oxidation.
    • Sea salt.
    Hand dipping a tortilla chip into a molcajete of guacamole to show texture.

    Instructions

    Another plus for guacamole? How easy it is to make!

    Start by peeling your ripe avocados and placing them in a bowl or a molcajete (stone mortar and pestle, pronounced "mole-kuh-HEH-teh"). I used to think I didn't need one of these because they're heavy, cumbersome and take up a lot of cabinet space... but then I got one and now I don't ever want to make guacamole in any other receptacle.

    Add finely chopped shallots (or red onions), fresh lime juice and sea salt to the avocado.

    Sprinkling salt onto avocado, shallots and lime juice in a molcajete.

    Mash with the pestle (or with a fork) until the avocado is mashed to the desired consistency and the rest of the ingredients are well-distributed. I like my guacamole with a little texture, so I try not to over-mash.

    That's all it takes! I told you it doesn't get any easier.

    Tip: Molcajetes are typically made of porous, volcanic rock or stone, so it's important to clean it properly in order to maintain it.

    Rise out any excess debris with warm water, then use a dry, firm kitchen brush to give it scrub. Do not use any soap as it can be absorbed into the stone and make things taste bad. This article gives some good tips for cleaning your molcajete.

    FAQ's

    Can guacamole be made ahead?

    Yes. Guacamole can be made 1-2 days in advance if necessary, but I would try to serve it as freshly made as possible to help avoid browning.

    How do I keep guacamole from turning brown?

    Exposure to oxygen is what makes guacamole turn brown, so "sealing" it is the best way to avoid browning. Place your guacamole in a container with an airtight lid, and smooth it into a flat layer. Cover the top with a very thin layer or lime juice or even water. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top, lightly pushing down so that it is flush with the guacamole. Place the airtight lid on the container and refrigerate. This should keep the guacamole green for 1-2 days.

    Close up of tortilla chip in a molcajete filled with guacamole.

    Substitutions & Variations

    There are dozens of variations on 4-ingredient guacamole, so go crazy and experiment! Here are some ideas:

    • Add store-bought pico de gallo. Just add a few tablespoons of the mixed tomato, onion, lime juice and seasoning condiment to the guacamole for instant flavor with minimal work.
    • Try chopped fresh or pickled jalapeno peppers in your guacamole for a bit of spice.
    • Mix in some chopped cilantro for a classic Mexican flavor.
    • Season things easily with a tablespoon of store-bought taco seasoning. (Just omit the extra sea salt so things don't get too salty.)

    This recipe is already gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan, so it's safe to serve to just about anyone without making any substitutions!

    Overhead shot of 4-ingredient guacamole in a molcajete with scattered tortilla chips beside it.

    4-Ingredient Guacamole

    Dianna Muscari | The Kitchen Prep
    My 4-Ingredient Guacamole is an amazingly simple appetizer for everything from parties to Taco Tuesday to Cinco de Mayo celebrations! Serve with tortilla chips to dollop onto your favorite foods for an irresistible, creamy upgrade.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 8 servings

    Equipment

    • 1 molcajete or a large bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 medium Hass avocados or 2 large tropical avocados
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    • 3 tablespoons finely minced shallot or red onion
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Place all ingredients in a bowl or a molcajete.
    • Mash the avocado to desired consistency using the pestle or a fork, while mixing the other ingredients in to evenly distribute.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Variations
      Add store-bought pico de gallo. Just add a few tablespoons of the mixed tomato, onion, lime juice and seasoning condiment to the guacamole for instant flavor with minimal work.
    • Try chopped fresh or pickled jalapeno peppers in your guacamole for a bit of spice.
    • Mix in some chopped cilantro for a classic Mexican flavor.
    • Season things easily with a tablespoon of store-bought taco seasoning. (Just omit the extra sea salt so things don't get too salty.)

    More Appetizer Recipes

    • Mississippi State Tailgate
    • Texas A&M Tailgate
    • Mizzou Tailgate
    • Florida Tailgate

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Dianna. I used to think cooking had to be complicated to be good, so I never considered it "my thing." Now I know that's far from true, and my mission is to create & share easy, mouthwatering recipes - from weeknight dinners to simple bites for entertaining - that anyone can make! Join me in my South Florida kitchen and let's get cooking!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Fork and knife cutting into a stuffed cubanelle pepper.
      Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers

    • Benedictine Spread for Kentucky Derby in a white bowl with a piece of pumpernickel toast in the foreground slathered with spread.
      Benedictine Spread - A Derby Classic

    • Close up of Italian Knot Cookies on a white cake plate.
      Italian Knot Cookies

    • A large skillet filled with Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta with a yellow and white striped dish towel underneath.
      Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta

    Welcome!

    I'm Dianna and I've been creating & sharing easy recipes with a fresh twist for 14 years!

    More about me

    Popular

    • A large skillet filled with Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta with a yellow and white striped dish towel underneath.
      Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta
    • Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup via The Kitchen Prep. An easy and flavorful meal for a cold day!
      Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup with Couscous
    • Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet on a dark green surface with a striped kitchen towel beside it.
      Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet
    • A pavlova nest with coconut custard filling sprinkled with coconut flakes and drizzled with chocolate.
      Mini Pavlova Nests

    Seasonal

    • Orange-Avocado Salad
      Orange-Avocado Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
    • Sausage & Squash Soup in a white mug with ingredients around it.
      Sausage & Squash Soup
    • A stack of sweet corn and black bean fritters in a mini cast iron skillet with fresh sweet corn in the background.
      Sweet Corn & Black Bean Fritters
    • Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars! A crisp, shortbread crust is topped with a layer of sweet, citrusy filling speckled with fragrant vanilla beans. These are the stuff of potluck dreams!
      Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Follow Me on Facebook

    Welcome!

    I'm Dianna and I've been creating & sharing easy recipes with a fresh twist for 14 years!

    More about me

    Popular

    • A large skillet filled with Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta with a yellow and white striped dish towel underneath.
      Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta
    • Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup via The Kitchen Prep. An easy and flavorful meal for a cold day!
      Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup with Couscous
    • Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet on a dark green surface with a striped kitchen towel beside it.
      Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet
    • A pavlova nest with coconut custard filling sprinkled with coconut flakes and drizzled with chocolate.
      Mini Pavlova Nests

    Seasonal

    • Orange-Avocado Salad
      Orange-Avocado Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
    • Sausage & Squash Soup in a white mug with ingredients around it.
      Sausage & Squash Soup
    • A stack of sweet corn and black bean fritters in a mini cast iron skillet with fresh sweet corn in the background.
      Sweet Corn & Black Bean Fritters
    • Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars! A crisp, shortbread crust is topped with a layer of sweet, citrusy filling speckled with fragrant vanilla beans. These are the stuff of potluck dreams!
      Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy

    Subscribe

    • Sign Up! and get recipes delivered to your inbox.

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me

    Copyright © 2025 · The Kitchen Prep ·