The Best Vegan Guacamole

Here is the best vegan guacamole recipe I’ve ever tried. There is something special about making your dips and spreads from scratch. The flavors are so natural and bright. 

For other dips, try my easy hummus recipe or this delicious olive tapenade. 

Why you’ll love this quick vegan guacamole

• Flavorful and zesty: This vegan guacamole bursts with bold and vibrant flavors. The combination of fresh lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeño is tantalizing!
• Creamy texture: Ripe avocados are the foundation of this recipe, giving the vegan guacamole a luxuriously creamy texture.
• Dial the heat up or down: You can easily adjust the level of spiciness to suit your taste by adding more or less jalapeño. This flexibility is great, especially if you want to make a more kid-friendly version. 
• Balanced ingredients: The inclusion of red onion and tomato adds a pleasant crunch and sweetness to the vegan guacamole.
• Fresh and wholesome: Made with fresh, whole ingredients, this vegan guacamole is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients and antioxidants from avocados, lime, and cilantro.
• Quick and simple: This recipe comes together in minutes, making it a perfect go-to dip or topping for last-minute gatherings or weeknight dinners.
• Versatile: Use it as a dip with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, vegan nachos, or vegan burgers. 
• Authentic and homemade: Making vegan guacamole from scratch allows you to enjoy an authentic taste and quality that’s far superior to store-bought versions.
• Shareable and social: Vegan guacamole is a dish that encourages sharing and interaction among friends and family, making it a fantastic addition to gatherings and parties.

Vegan Ingredients and substitution notes

• Garlic: This adds a subtle but essential layer of flavor to your vegan guacamole.
• Jalapeño: This pepper provides heat and a slight tang. Adjust the amount of jalapeño according to your desired level of spiciness. Removing the seeds and membranes can help to reduce the heat.
• Avocados: Ripe avocados are the star ingredient in vegan guacamole, contributing a creamy and buttery texture. Choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed. This will show you it is ripe.
• Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a zesty and tangy element to the vegan guacamole. It enhances the flavor and helps prevent the avocados from oxidizing and turning brown.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped finely, bring a fresh and herbaceous aroma and flavor to the guacamole. You can leave it out if it’s not your favorite flavor.
• Red onion: Finely diced red onion provides a mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the vegan guacamole.
• Tomato: Diced tomatoes add juiciness, sweetness, and a bit of texture. Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and consistency. Some variations of guacamole omit tomatoes, so it’s optional based on personal preference.
• Salt: Salt not only enhances the overall flavor but also helps to bring out the natural creaminess of the avocados. Start with a pinch of salt and adjust according to your taste. It’s important to test and check the seasoning beforehand. 

How to Make Vegan Guacamole in a Molcajete

It is super easy to make this vegan guacamole recipe.

1. I like to use a molcajete, which is a traditional Mexican stone mortar and pestle. It makes a beautiful centerpiece for a family gathering. If you don’t have a molcajete, you can crush the garlic and jalapeño and use a bowl to mix the guacamole.
2. Start by making a paste with the garlic and jalapeño. This will ensure that the delicious flavor will be in every bite of guacamole.
3. Pick beautiful ripe avocados for this vegan guacamole recipe. Add the peeled avocado and mash to a chunky texture.  
4. Gently mix in the lime juice, cilantro, red onion, tomato and salt to taste.
5. I like to garnish the top of my vegan guacamole with extra chopped cilantro, red onion, and tomato.

How to Pick the Best Avocados for Guacamole

Here are my top tips for picking ripe avocados for guacamole.

1. Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand.
2. To check for ripeness, give it a gently squeeze. If the avocado is ripe, it will give slightly.
3. If you squeeze too tightly, you can bruise the avocado, so it is best to be gentle.
4. Avoid avocados that are very soft, mushy, or discolored.
5. Ripe avocados will have a dark, almost black skin.

Vegan Guacamole Top tips

• Select ripe avocados: The foundation of great vegan guacamole is ripe avocados. Look for avocados that are slightly soft when gently squeezed. They should yield to pressure but not be mushy.
• Avoid overripe avocados: Overripe avocados can result in an overly mushy guacamole. If your avocados are too ripe, they may be better suited for smoothies or dressings.
• Use fresh ingredients: Go for the freshest ingredients, especially when it comes to lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeño. Freshness enhances the flavor of your vegan guacamole.
• Minimize air exposure: Avocados oxidize quickly when exposed to air, causing them to turn brown. To prevent this, keep the avocado pits in the vegan guacamole until serving, and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to minimize air contact.
• Perfect lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds brightness and prevents browning. To maximize juice extraction, roll the lime on the countertop before cutting and juicing. You can also use lemon juice if you’d prefer to. 
• Balance heat: Jalapeños vary in heat, so adjust the amount to achieve your desired level of spiciness.
• Finely diced ingredients: Ensure that ingredients like red onion, tomato, and jalapeño are finely chopped to ensure even distribution of flavors and textures.
• Mash to Your Preference: You can choose whether to go for super smooth or slightly chunky guac!

Make ahead of instructions and storage

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and flavor of your vegan guacamole. Here are some tips:

• Refrigeration: Vegan guacamole should always be stored in the refrigerator. It is a perishable item due to the avocados and fresh ingredients.
• Use within 1-2 days: While vegan guacamole can last for a short time in the refrigerator, it’s best when consumed within 1-2 days. After this period, it may start to lose its freshness and develop a less appealing color.
• Minimize air exposure: To reduce oxidation and browning, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole before sealing the container. This creates an airtight seal and helps preserve the green color.
• Stir before serving: Before serving leftover vegan guacamole, give it a good stir to mix in any liquid that may have separated during storage.
• Lime or lemon juice: If you notice slight browning on the surface when you’re ready to serve, you can gently scrape it off, and the guacamole underneath should still be fresh and green. Adding a little extra lime or lemon juice before storing, can also help refresh the color and flavor.

Guacamole serving suggestions 

There are SO many ways to serve this delicious, easy vegan guacamole. Fill your tacos (try my recipe here) with it or try my sheet pan nachos.

Vegan guacamole is so good when loaded on top of your favorite burger (try my mushroom oat burgers) or in a sandwich. Use it as a dip for chips or veggie sticks! 

FAQs

Is Guacamole Vegan?

Yes, most guacamole should be vegan. Guacamole is usually made with avocados, tomatoes, onion, garlic, lime juice, jalapeño, and seasoning.

How to keep guacamole from turning brown

To keep guacamole from turning brown, drizzle the top with lime juice to keep the avocado from oxidizing.

Place the guacamole in an airtight container to help it stay fresh longer. Save the avocado pit and place it in the middle of the guacamole. It is a strange trick, but it works!

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