I have my best friend Mary to thank for this Salsa Guacamole recipe. She introduced me to it when she was visiting us one weekend and I had to wonder how it had never occurred to me. Want to know the secret? Pico de Gallo.
Salsa Guacamole Recipe
Mix ripe avocados with Pico de Gallo and a little lime juice and salt and ta-da! You have a delicious and oh-so-easy salsa guacamole! No mincing required.
Let me introduce you to Mary.
When I was nine, my mom and I moved to a little house in Northern California. That’s where I met Mary. We first met at the bus stop, me in a big fake fur coat (what were you thinking, mom? 🙂 ), and Mary wondering what this furry new girl would be like. Almost immediately we were inseparable. We spent mischievous adolescence together, rambled through high school and college, and, stranger than fiction, married cousins.
She and her husband, Ed (Keith’s cousin), came to stay with us over the weekend. I wanted you to meet her, so I coaxed her into the backyard to snap a couple of photos. Of course this spiraled into silliness, as everything does when we get together.
When Mary whipped up this guacamole, she pointed out that it’s not entirely traditional, particularly the addition of tomato. The name “Guacamole” is from an Aztec dialect and means simply, “Avocado Sauce.” It can be made simply with avocados and sea salt. But many guacamole recipes call for lime juice, cilantro, jalapeño, onion and salt, the primary ingredients in Pico de Gallo. And, for my taste, the little bit of tomato is welcome too.
How do you keep guacamole fresh?
Nobody wants to eat brown guacamole. The biggest challenge when making guacamole ahead of serving it is to retain that beautiful, bright green. When it comes to guacamole: air is the enemy. It causes an enzymatic reaction that turns avocado brown. There are a few ways to keep guacamole fresh:
- Use extra lime juice. The citric acid won’t completely resolve the browning process, but will slow it dramatically.
- Smooth the top and cover with plastic wrap, so that it’s actually making contact with the guacamole, to seal air out before refrigerating.
- Or, similarly, float a thin layer of cold water over the surface of the guacamole to seal air out, then cover with a lid and refrigerate.
If, like me, you enjoy your guacamole on the chunky side, use a pastry blender instead of a fork. It’s the perfect tool to make guacamole as smooth or chunky as you like.
Mary made this for us once and it’s been my go-to guacamole recipe ever since. I think you’ll love it too.
What to Serve with Guacamole
How to Make Salsa Guacamole
Step 1: Mash avocados, salt and fresh lime juice with a fork or pastry blender to reach desired consistency.
Step 2: Add fresh Pico de Gallo and stir to combine. Adjust seasonings and serve.
Salsa Guacamole Recipe Video
Salsa Guacamole
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe avocados peeled, seeded and quartered
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or more
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1/2 lime, or more
- 1/3 cup Pico de Gallo or more
Instructions
- Add avocados, salt and lime juice to medium glass bowl; mash to desired consistency with pastry blender or fork.
- Add Pico de Gallo and gently stir to combine. Serve.
You guys are too cute!! I love my guac chunky too and I love the pico de Gallo – I could snack on this all day!
I’m having intense guac cravings now–although that’s not so different than any other day because I love guacamole! This recipe looks absolutely perfect!
haha, I hear ya. I’m always up for guacamole! Thanks so much, Kelsie!
I love tomato in my guac and your recipe hits all the marks. In fact, when my youngest stopped by yesterday he asked (like hint, hint) if I ever made guacamole when he saw all the avocados on my counter. I think it’s the perfect time to try your recipe!
Love it! Perfect timing. Thanks, Liz!
love how simple this is to make! Looks AMAZING!
Thanks so much, Balvinder!
Love a great guac recipe and this one is sure one to enjoy! Super easy but yet super tasty!
Thanks so much, Kevin!
How fun does Mary look?! And her guac with pico ingredients sounds and looks fabulous Marissa! Pinned!
She’s amazing! I’ve been lucky to have her in my life all these years. Thanks, Mary Ann! xo
This is very similar to what I do, but I drain my favorite salsa, and use that. That way I can make guac any time of year, and it adds lots of flavor. I also use lemon pepper, which is a wonderful Penzey’s product.
That sounds great, Mimi! I’ll have to check out that lemon pepper!
What a lovely friendship, and such cute pics.
I always love tomato in my guacamole. YUM! Excellent guac tutorial, too. I could eat chips, guacamole and salsa everyday all summer long. 🙂 ~Valentina
Thanks so much, Valentina! And on the the daily chips, guac and salsa – me too!
I have always given taste more credit to tradition. And that looks stunning!
Thank you, Kankana!
You guys sound like the best kinda friends! How sweet! And you can never ever go wrong with guac if you ask me…I could eat that stuff every.single.day. No lie. Now I’m totally craving…so thanks very much for that, lol 😉
haha…my pleasure! 😉 Thanks, Dawn!
Wow, you gals married 2 cousins!? What are the chances of that? Hilarious! Glad she shared this delicious looking guac with you. I don’t typically add tomatoes to my guac, but then again I’m never gonna turn down a good bowl of guac! Just make sure you have enough tortilla chips on hand… 🙂
Yes, you’ve got to have plenty of chips on hand in the summer! Thanks, David!
Traditional or not, anything involves avocado has got to be DELICIOUS!
I agree! Thanks, Angie!
I absolutely love a good guacamole! This sounds awesome!
Thanks so much, Katrina!
Pastry cutter is such a good idea – Just the right sized chunks! Sounds delicious.
I tried the pastry cutter one day just out of curiosity and now I wouldn’t use anything else. 🙂
Jalapeños and cilantro sound a great alternative to my usual guacamole. And the pastry cutter idea I will try next time, since I bought it ages ago and haven´t used it, not even once since the processor does a much better job with dough! So nice you got to spend time with your friend!
Thank you, Paula! I love how the pastry cutter leaves the guacamole a bit chunky!
Ooo pastry cutter is an awesome idea! The cilantro is SO key. I usually do minced onions instead of garlic because not everyone’s tummy can handle raw garlic.
What’s funny is that my tummy has trouble with raw onions and not raw garlic – go figure. 🙂
I think having a real good friend is one of the best thing in life !!! Ciao
I agree Giovanna!
Your guac looks great! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks!
Hehe she looks like she’d be fun to hang out with! 🙂
The best!
And the most important ingredient…..good friends!
xoxo
this recipe looks amazing- I’ve been looking for a good guac recipe to follow!
Thanks! You won’t be disappointed…