I love guacamole. And I really love Chipotle's guacamole - they keep it simple and mash it to perfection. I set out to replicate their recipe at home so I could enjoy their addictive guacamole anytime I want!
Chipotle used to share their guacamole recipe online but that has long since been taken down. You can, however, find YouTube tutorials from Chipotle employees to walk you through it step by step. After a good amount of testing, I'm prepared to share the best way to make a homemade version of your favorite guac!
It is healthy, allergy-friendly and tastes just like the real deal. You can season it to your liking, which is one of the benefits of making it yourself! This recipe is just as simple as my 5-minute avocado spread. Enjoy with some homemade salty tortilla chips!
Keys to the Perfect Chipotle Guacamole
1. Choose the right avocados. They should feel squishy yet firm (like the palm of your hand) and be a nice dark green color on the outside. Underripe avocados will be too hard and overripe avocados will be brown and mushy. Speed up the ripening process by storing them near a banana or in a brown paper bag. Slow the ripening process by storing them in the refrigerator.
2. Mash with a potato masher. Using a potato masher gets you creamy guacamole while also allowing for some chunks. I used to try mashing chopped avocados with a fork, but that just doesn't cut it. And a blender or food processor would make it too smooth. The potato masher is the perfect in-between, easy solution! Chipotle suggests mashing it immediately with the lime juice to prevent it from browning. See image below for the mashed avocado, lime and salt using a potato masher.
3. Leave out the garlic, tomatoes and black pepper. Chipotle keeps it simple. Garlic can overpower guacamole and really doesn't need it. Tomatoes mess with the texture and many people hate raw tomatoes. One less thing to chop! The black pepper really changes the flavor too - it just tastes better without it (and I'm a huge pepper fan who uses it on just about everything! But not this one).
Ingredients
This copycat Chipotle guacamole recipe uses just a handful of fresh ingredients. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.
- Ripe avocados
- Fresh lime juice
- Kosher salt
- Red onion
- Jalapeño pepper - I include some of the seeds when dicing (the more seeds the spicier it will be)
- Fresh cilantro
How to Make Chipotle's Guacamole
1. Mash the avocados. Halve the avocados, remove the pits and scoop out the flesh. Place the avocados, lime juice and salt in a medium mixing bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy (with a few avocado chunks remaining if desired).
2. Add the rest of the ingredients. Finely dice the red onion, jalapeño and cilantro and add them to the bowl. I recommend a fine dice similar to how Chipotle does it.
3. Stir and season to taste. Stir until everything is mixed together. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more jalapeño to make it spicier. Add more salt for more saltiness. You may also like to add more lime juice or cilantro depending on your preference.
4. Serve! Enjoy in burrito bowls, taco salads or any other Mexican-inspired dish. Or, simply use as a dip for fresh veggies or chips. Chipotle seasons their tortilla chips with fresh lime juice and salt.
Storage
Store leftover guacamole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It will oxidize and naturally turn brown, so the key is to eliminate as much air as possible.
For best results, pack the guacamole down into the container as much as possible before covering. If there is any browning when reserving, scoop a thin layer off the top of the guacamole and the rest should still be a vibrant green.
Many people use a piece of plastic wrap, but I try to avoid plastic consumption where possible. Others use lemon juice to help preserve it, but I'm personally not a huge fan of lemon flavor in my guac!
Health Benefits of Avocados
As if you need another reason to love guacamole, avocados have some amazing health benefits. They contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and nutrients that actually reduce your cholesterol levels, promote healthy vision and potentially protect against cancer.
Avocados also contain folate, vitamins E, C, and B6. Plus, they are high in dietary fiber – great for overall heart health and digestion. And, avocados contain 60% more potassium per ounce than bananas!
This homemade guacamole recipe is perfect for game day, Mexican dinner night in (ahem, Taco Tuesday!) or really any day when you want some creamy spice in your life.
If you give this recipe a try, please tag your pictures @eatingbyelaine so I can see your creations.
Chipotle Guacamole (Copycat Recipe)
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This six-ingredient, simple recipe tastes exactly like the Chipotle guacamole we all know and love. The secret is to leave out the garlic, black pepper and tomatoes found in traditional guacamole recipes. The other secret is to use a potato masher to easily get a perfectly creamy texture (with just a bit of chunkiness too). You can adjust the seasonings and ingredients to customize it to your liking.
Ingredients
- 2 perfectly ripe avocados
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (I used the juice of one juicy lime)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ jalapeno, finely diced with some seeds included (the more seeds the spicier it will be)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (long stems removed), finely chopped
Instructions
- Mash the avocados. Halve the avocados, remove the pits and scoop out the flesh. Place the avocados, lime juice and salt in a medium mixing bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy (with a few avocado chunks remaining if desired).
- Add the rest of the ingredients. Finely dice the red onion, jalapeño and cilantro and add them to the bowl. I recommend a fine dice similar to how Chipotle does it.
- Stir and season to taste. Stir until everything is mixed together. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more jalapeño to make it spicier. Add more salt for more saltiness. You may also like to add more lime juice or cilantro depending on your preference.
- Serve! Enjoy in burrito bowls, taco salads or any other Mexican-inspired dish. Or, simply use as a dip for fresh veggies or chips. Chipotle seasons their tortilla chips with fresh lime juice and salt.
Notes
This recipe comes from Chipotle.
I like to add lime zest too, although the original recipe doesn't call for this.
I tend to add more salt, red onion and cilantro too for added flavor. Taste and adjust the flavors to your preference. With these main ingredients you can't go wrong! Here is my favorite version which is similar to the above copycat Chitpotle version but with different measurements:
- 3 perfectly ripe avocados
- juice and zest of one large juicy lime
- 1.5 teaspoons fine salt
- ¾ cup red onion, finely diced (from ½ large red onion)
- ½ jalapeno, finely diced with some seeds included (the more seeds the spicier it will be)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro (long stems removed), finely chopped
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
All Texan McMillans says
You my friend make delicious looking food. Thanks for sharing ?
Elaine Gordon says
Well thank you so very much! 🙂
Dasha says
Love this recipe and also love adding orange peppers to it for a fun crunch! ?
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Dasha! I'm so happy you enjoyed this one. Love your crunchy addition!