Guacamole is a spread or dip that first originated in Mexico and can now be found all over the world. Guacamole is traditionally made with avocados, tomatoes, lime and spices. Since it’s a simple dish, you’ll need the freshest ingredients to make your dip stand out — including the best ripe avocados.
Tips for Choosing the Right Avocados for Guac
You should choose avocados that are soft enough to mash easily but not too mushy. Underripe avocados don’t yet have the deliciously smooth taste they’re known for, and you should toss out overripe and brown avocados.
When you’re at the grocery store looking for the right ingredients, follow these tips to find the perfect avocado for guac:
- Look at the color: A ripe avocado is shiny and dark green, not black and matte or pale green. Avoid very dark and soft avocados.
- Give it the squeeze test: Hold the avocado in your hand and squeeze gently with your palm, not using your fingertips. If the avocado is ripe, it will give a little while remaining firm. Soft avocados are overripe and not ideal for guacamole. If the avocado is hard, it’s not yet ripe. You can plan ahead by purchasing a few firm avocados and keeping them in a bowl in your kitchen. They’ll ripen in a few days and will be perfect for making guac.
- Check under the stem: If you have a few avocados on your counter at home and want to know which one is ready for the guacamole you’re making, peel back the small stem tip at the top of the avocado to check for a lush green color. If the stem is firmly attached and doesn’t come off with a gentle nudge, the avocado is not ripe yet. Signs of brown under the stem mean the inside of the avocado is likely brown, too, and beyond its prime.
Check Out Our Guac Recipes and Other Products Today
If you’d like to learn how to make guacamole with a Szechuan twist, San-J has a delicious guac recipe for you to try. Be sure to check out our cooking sauces and products to add to your pantry so you can make add new and traditional flavors to your meals. We’ve been making authentic, quality ingredients at our family company for more than 200 years. Chefs trust our products to transform dishes and to balance flavors. Try San-J products today!
