Tips For Making Guacamole
- If you prefer a creamy smooth guac use a food processor or blender – pulse briefly then scrape down the sides of the bowl or jug and pulse again. Take care not to over process or the guac may become sloppy.
- Chilling guac for at least an hour before serving will help the flavours to develop but if you’re short on time you can skip this step. Just make and serve.
- Give the guac a quick taste after chilling and before serving – you may find it needs a little more salt or an extra squeeze of lime or lemon juice.
- If you’re going for a hot guac with red or green chillies added, remember that the chilli flavour may become more intense with time. To cool down an over-spicy guac stir in another mashed avocado before serving.
What To Eat Guacamole With
When it comes to what to eat guacamole with, there are almost endless options! Here are some of our favourite dishes to enjoy with guacamole:
- Nachos: Covered in cheese and a variety of toppings, nachos are perfect for indulging in with a dollop of sour cream and guacamole.
- Tacos: Tacos are mouth-wateringly good on their own but even more so when topped with sour cream and guacamole, ideal for balancing out any spicy flavours
- Fajitas: Guacamole also makes a great filling or topping for fajitas such as our Chipotle Beef Fajitas, adding a delicious creaminess that provides a moreish feel.
- Quesadillas: If you love quesadillas, guacamole is often the perfect accompaniment! Great as a side with this dish, you can use your quesadilla to scoop it up and enjoy.
How To Stop Guacamole From Browning
Struggling with your guacamole browning? Avocados turn brown when they are exposed to light and air, causing oxidation. Avocado flesh discolours quickly so it’s important not to prep your avocados until you are ready to mix them with the other ingredients. Once you begin making your guacamole, the lemon juice and salt will both naturally help to counteract the oxidation, keeping your guacamole bright and green. However, this won’t prevent browning indefinitely if your guacamole’s left exposed to the elements. Hence, it’s important to cover the surface of your finished guac in either an airtight container, with cling film, or a layer of baking paper pressed onto the surface. This is a key step, as any area exposed to the air will eventually start to discolour.
Can You Freeze Guacamole?
While we recommend refrigerating your guacamole for the best results, you can freeze guacamole. While avocados are known for oxidising and turning brown in the fridge, freezing typically prevents this. By storing your guacamole in an airtight container, you can keep it in the fridge for up to three days and in the freezer for up to three months!
Hints and tips for freezing guacamole:
- It’s best to only freeze the base of your guacamole e.g., the smashed avocado, and aim to add any extra elements to your guacamole later. This is because additional ingredients such as tomato, onion, coriander, cheese, and chilli flakes do not thaw well and lose texture. If you’re concerned about browning, you can add lemon juice to your frozen mixture. However, it’s best to forgo salt when freezing, as this will draw out extra moisture when thawing, resulting in a watery consistency.
- While it may be tempting to speed up the process by defrosting your guacamole at room temperature, we highly recommend thawing your guacamole in the fridge for the best results.
- Consider portion size when freezing your guacamole. Defrosting just what you need will be quicker than defrosting a full tub and ensures no guacamole goes to waste. An ice cube tray with a lid can be the perfect tool for this, we’d recommend also wrapping your ice cube tray in cling film to ensure it’s airtight.
- Guacamole may settle and flatten to the shape of the container it’s stored in, giving it a shiny, smooth appearance. Make sure to mix your guacamole after defrosting or refrigerating to achieve its typical consistency.
Do You Keep Avocados In The Fridge?
While considering the best ways to store your guacamole, you may also naturally be wondering what’s the best way to store your avocados before preparation. A common query is whether avocados should be kept in the fridge, this depends on whether the avocados have ripened or not. Ripe avocados should be kept in the fridge to prolong their shelf life and prevent them from spoiling. While unripe avocados are best left to ripen at room temperature until then. The skin should be left on in both cases.
Guacamole Recipes For Every Occasion
With these easy guacamole recipes, you’ll have an easy side or snack to suit any occasion! Serve up with your spring and summer spreads or enjoy as part of an at home movie night – the options are endless. Now that you know how to make guacamole, which will you try? Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media.
