This simple mango guacamole is the PERFECT appetizer for a crowd a hungry people. It's salty and savory, yet sweet with a hint of tropical fruitiness - what's not to love?
Whip up a batch for gameday, or use up those extra avocados to keep the hangry mob at bay...this is a go-to summer appetizer in my house. It's healthy, light, fresh and SUPER easy to make. There are few problems that this easy guacamole recipe can't fix.
Looking for more mexican-ish appetizers? This butternut squash nacho cheese is insane. This guac pairs well with this spicy one-pot Mexican rice.
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📋 Ingredients
This guacamole calls for simple ingredients, with plenty of room for creativity!
- Avocados are a must
- Sea Salt is avocado's best friend
- Mango adds tropical sweetness
- Onion balances out the sweetness and adds savoriness
- Tomato adds texture, but you can make this guac without tomato
Optional ingredients:
- Cilantro if you vibe with it
- Garlic for more savoriness
- Lime helps prevent browning, so this is required if the guac will be on the table for a while
- Jalapeno and/or spicy chili peppers if you like spicy food
Pro tip: Fresh ingredients make all the difference! Use what you can find at your grocery store or local farmer's market.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
This mango guacamole is naturally vegan, dairy free, and gluten free.
Guacamole is one of those "choose your own adventure" recipes. Try these variations next time:
- Spicy - add half a thinly diced jalapeno
- Savory - add a small clove of minced garlic and use red onion instead of yellow
- Traditional - add cilantro and lime, omit mango (or keep it...)
Looking for something a little more Mediterranean? Check out this simple baba ganoush!
🔪 How To Make This Recipe
This mango guacamole is SUPER easy, but if you're not familiar with how to prep each ingredient, read on. Otherwise skip this section.
How To Dice Onion
First, cut off the end opposite the hairy side. Then place onion on its new flat edge, and slice in half (directly through the hairy part).
Then remove papery skin.
To dice, make a couple of slices toward the hairy part (but not all the way through), with knife parallel to the cutting board.
Then make a few slices with the tip of your knife pointing toward the hairy part of the onion.
Finally, make thin slices parallel to the onion root, using extra caution with fingers.
How To Dice Mango
First, slice off sides of mango, avoiding the hard pit.
Carefully slice a criss-cross pattern into the mango, taking extra care not to pierce the skin. The smaller the better!
Finally, turn the mango inside out, and carefully slice off cubes. A paring knife works particularly well.
How To Prepare Avocado For Guacamole
First, slice avocado in half around the pit lengthwise. Then carefully attach knife to pit of avocado, and twist until the pit is loose. Discard pit by firmly tapping handle of knife on trashcan until pit releases.
Now scoop out avocado flesh and place into a medium mixing bowl to be mashed.
Mashing The Guacamole
Once the veggies are prepped (including diced tomatoes), it's time to bring it all together.
In a medium mixing bowl, add avocado flesh, a little bit of salt and the juice from a lime wedge if desired. Mash gently with a fork or potato masher. Then stir in mango, onion and tomatoes. Start with a tablespoon of each, and add more as you see fit. That's it! Super easy.
Hint: If the avocados are ripe, they'll be slightly soft when you squeeze (apply this logic to mangos as well). If they're too soft or feel empty, they're too ripe. See tips below for speeding up the ripening process.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Pro Tips 1: The key to making great guacamole is ripe avocados. Test avocados 24 hours before using. If they're perfectly ripe, refrigerate. If they could use some help, place them into a paper bag with a ripening banana to speed up the process for 12-24 hours.
Want more tasty dips? We've got you.
Pro Tips 2: Pro tip: add lime if you're preparing guac for a party. Oxygen causes avocado to brown. Lime or any citrus that contains acid slows the "oxidation" process.
💭 FAQs
Perfect avocados are key for a good guacamole. To test avocados, gently squeeze. An avocado that's rock-solid isn't ready. If it's a little soft, it's probably ready. If it feels hollow, it's too ripe.
Place unripe avocados into a paper bag with a ripe banana overnight to speed up the process.
Put perfectly ripe avocados into the refrigerator to prolong the perfection.
Throw away overripe avocados, and try again using the these tips.
PS - the same logic applies to mango!
Yes, most guacamole is vegan as it does not contain meat or dairy products like cheese, milk or eggs. Some restaurants serve guacamole with goat cheese or feta - in that case, guacamole is not vegan.
The purpose of lime is to add a little bit of acid to prevent browning, and add flavor. Lemon juice adds acidity, and some tart flavor, though a little different than lime. It works in a pinch!
Lime is not required to make guacamole - though it will spoil faster without the extra acidity.
The short answer is: everything.
In the appetizer camp, tortilla chips are classic, but you can also serve with a lighter veggie platter - carrots, tomatoes, and celery all work well. Sticking with the appetizer theme, it's great in a trio with nacho cheese and salsa. If you can find it, vegan sour cream is also delish.
Guacamole is also great on tacos, and in burritos and burrito bowls with Mexican rice. Or pair with a fabulous vegan mushroom quesadilla (this one has a butternut squash cheese sauce).
Running short on time and have some leftover guac? Throw it on a slice of toast or salad and call it a day.
When avocado flesh is exposed to oxygen, it oxidizes, leaving a characteristic brown color. To slow oxidation, add a wedge of lime or lemon juice to your guacamole, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
I don't recommend storing guacamole for more than 24 hours. If you must store it, add a wedge of fresh lime juice to minimize oxidation, cover tightly with plastic wrap, then refrigerate.
Guacamole don't stand up well to freezing.
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Simple Mango Guacamole
Ingredients
- 2 avocados
- pinch of salt
- up to ¼ cup diced mango
- 1-2 tablespoon diced onion
- 1-2 tablespoon diced tomato
Optional ingredients:
- 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1-2 lime wedges
- ½ jalapeno seeded and diced
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients. Dice onions, mango and tomato.
- Scoop out flesh of avocado into medium bowl. Add a pinch of salt (and lime juice if desired) and mash using a fork. Add onions, mango and tomato and any other desired ingredients. Stir gently to combine, taste, and adjust to your personal preference.
Angela Milnes says
perfection - so easy, and the mango adds a nice natural sweetness.