Guacamole is a popular avocado-based dip that is commonly served with tortilla chips as an appetizer or side dish. With its cool, creamy texture and tangy, rich flavor, guacamole is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of dishes beyond basic chips and salsa.
What are some classic item pairings with guacamole?
Some classic pairings for guacamole include:
– Tortilla chips – This is the standard guacamole pairing. The crispy, salty tortilla chips provide contrast to the soft, creamy guacamole.
– Quesadillas – Guacamole makes a great topping for quesadillas, adding creaminess and flavor between the melted cheese and tortilla.
– Nachos – Piled high with crispy tortilla chips, beans, salsa, cheese, and guacamole, nachos are a delicious and filling snack.
– Tacos – A dollop of guacamole brings extra flavor to beef, chicken, or fish tacos.
– Burritos – Guacamole’s cool creamy texture offsets burritos nicely.
– Tostadas – Flat crispy corn tortillas are the perfect vessel for piling on guacamole, beans, lettuce, cheese and more.
What proteins go well with guacamole?
Guacamole’s fresh, tangy flavor pairs nicely with a variety of protein options:
Seafood
– Shrimp – Briny shrimp cocktail with guacamole can be served in lettuce cups or tortillas.
– Tuna – Mix chunks of tuna with guacamole for a unique twist on tuna salad.
– Tilapia – For fish tacos or tostadas, top grilled or blackened tilapia with guacamole.
– Salmon – Smoked salmon and guacamole is delicious on crackers or bagels.
Chicken
– Grilled chicken – Slices of juicy grilled chicken breast can be served on top of or next to guacamole.
– Shredded chicken – Shredded Mexican chicken with guacamole makes excellent tacos or nachos.
Beef
– Ground beef – Spiced ground beef guacamole makes for tasty burritos, nachos, or taco salad toppings.
– Steak – Slices of grilled steak served with guacamole is a satisfying meal.
Pork
– Carnitas – Slow roasted pulled pork carnitas with guacamole is classic taco fillings.
– Chorizo – Spicy Mexican chorizo sausage sauteed with guacamole is great in tacos or quesadillas.
Vegetarian
For vegetarians, guacamole pairs nicely with:
– Grilled vegetables – Grilled zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, etc.
– Beans – Black, pinto, kidney, etc.
– Roasted sweet potatoes
– Falafel
What spices and flavors complement guacamole?
Guacamole’s mild avocado flavor combines well with a variety of spices and ingredients:
Onion and garlic
– Red onion
– Shallots
– Garlic
– Chives
The mellow flavor of avocado benefits from the sharp tastes of onion and garlic. Adding any of these ingredients contributes flavor and texture.
Spices
– Cumin
– Chili powder
– Cayenne pepper
– Paprika
– Oregano
– Cilantro
Warm spices like cumin, chili powder, and cayenne add depth, heat, and smokiness. Herbs like cilantro and oregano lend fresh flavor. Customize guacamole’s taste profile with your favorite spices.
Citrus
– Lime juice
– Lemon juice
Bright acidity from lime or lemon juice helps balance the richness of avocado and makes the flavors pop. Citrus is key for guacamole.
Heat
– Jalapeños
– Serrano peppers
– Habanero peppers
For spicy guacamole, add diced peppers. Jalapeños offer moderate heat, serranos more punch, and habaneros bring serious spiciness. Use peppers according to your preferred level of heat.
Tomatoes
Chopped fresh tomatoes contribute texture, moisture, color, and additional flavor. Roma tomatoes work particularly well in guacamole.
| Ingredient | Flavor Contribution |
|---|---|
| Onion | Sharp, pungent |
| Garlic | Pungent, aromatic |
| Cumin | Warm, earthy |
| Chili Powder | Smoky, spicy |
| Cayenne | Heat |
| Cilantro | Fresh, herbal |
| Lime Juice | Bright, acidic |
| Jalapeño | Moderate heat |
| Tomato | Texture, moisture, flavor |
What dishes pair well with guacamole?
In addition to chips, tacos, and other Mexican cuisine, guacamole complements a number of dishes:
Sandwiches
Guacamole adds creaminess and flavor when spread on sandwiches:
– Hamburgers
– Chicken sandwiches
– BLTs
– Veggie sandwiches
– Bacon, egg, and cheese
Salads
Guacamole can top a variety of salads or be served on the side:
– Taco salad
– Cobb salad
– Chef salad
– Greek salad
– Spinach salad
Burgers
A few spoonfuls of guacamole on a burger adds richness:
– Beef burgers
– Turkey burgers
– Veggie burgers
– Bison burgers
Wraps
Use guacamole as a spread or filling in wraps:
– Chicken wraps
– Steak wraps
– Shrimp wraps
– Falafel wraps
Eggs
Guacamole tastes delicious with breakfast egg dishes:
– Omelets
– Breakfast burritos
– Huevos rancheros
– Avocado toast
Pizza
As a topping, guacamole adds creaminess to pizza:
– Margherita pizza
– BBQ chicken pizza
– Hawaiian pizza
– Veggie pizza
Buddha bowls
Layer guacamole in these nourishing bowls along with veggies, beans, grains etc.
Seafood dishes
Guacamole complements grilled, blackened, or raw seafood:
– Grilled scallops
– Seared tuna
– Ceviche
Poultry dishes
Dollop guacamole alongside lean grilled or baked poultry:
– Chicken breast
– Turkey cutlets
Beef dishes
Contrast the richness of beef with the coolness of guacamole:
– Filet mignon
– Flank steak
– Meatloaf
Appetizer spreads
Guacamole serves as a healthy, fresh spread for appetizer platters:
– Vegetable crudites
– Pita chips
– Crackers
What drinks pair well with guacamole?
Guacamole’s creamy texture and mild flavor make it a versatile pairing:
Beer
– Mexican lager
– Pilsner
– Wheat beer
– Pale ale
– IPA
Crisp, chilled beers like lagers, pilsners, and pale ales complement guacamole’s richness. Wheat beers and IPAs also pair well.
Wine
– Sauvignon blanc
– Chardonnay
– Pinot grigio
– Sparkling wine
The acidity and fruitiness of white wines like Sauvignon blanc and Pinot grigio balance the avocado’s fat content. Chardonnay and sparkling wines also make good pairings.
Cocktails
– Margarita
– Mojito
– Bloody Mary
– Paloma
Guacamole makes a great accompaniment to classic Mexican cocktails like the Margarita and Paloma, as well as the minty Mojito or savory Bloody Mary.
Non-alcoholic drinks
– Lemonade
– Iced tea
– Fruit juice spritzer
– Smoothies
– Mexican soda
For non-alcoholic pairings, guacamole goes well with acidic citrus drinks like lemonade, fruity spritzers, or smoothies. Iced tea, Mexican soda, and fruit juices also complement it.
What are some creative recipe ideas featuring guacamole?
Beyond traditional uses, get creative with guacamole in these recipes:
Guacamole grilled cheese
Spread guacamole on bread before grilling with cheese inside for an upgraded, flavorful sandwich.
Guacamole salad dressing
Blend guacamole with ingredients like lime juice, cilantro, garlic to make a creamy salad dressing.
Guacamole soup
Puree guacamole with chicken or vegetable broth, cream, and seasoning for a rich, hearty soup.
Guacamole crostini
Top toasted bread slices with guacamole, tomatoes, and parmesan for an easy appetizer.
Guacamole deviled eggs
Mix guacamole into egg yolk filling to give deviled eggs a fresh twist.
Guacamole pasta sauce
For a unique pasta, use puréed guacamole as a sauce on cooked pasta or zoodles.
Guacamole hummus
Blend guacamole with chickpeas and tahini for an extra creamy, velvety hummus dip.
Guacamole pizza
Spread guacamole over pizza dough, add toppings, and bake for inventive pizza night.
| Recipe Idea | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Grilled Cheese | Bread, cheese, guacamole |
| Salad Dressing | Guacamole, lime juice, garlic |
| Soup | Guacamole, broth, cream |
| Crostini | Bread, guacamole, tomato, parmesan |
| Deviled Eggs | Eggs, guacamole |
| Pasta Sauce | Guacamole, pasta |
| Hummus | Guacamole, chickpeas, tahini |
| Pizza | Pizza dough, guacamole, toppings |
What are some tips for buying, storing, and preparing fresh guacamole?
Follow these tips for the best guacamole:
Buying avocados
– Choose avocados that yield to gentle pressure but aren’t too soft or mushy.
– Smaller avocados tend to have better flavor than very large ones.
– Check the stem area – it should not have any dark sunken spots.
– Avoid avocados with cracked skin.
Storing avocados
– Store unripe avocados at room temperature until ready to use.
– To speed ripening, place avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana.
– Once ripe, store avocados in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Preparing fresh guacamole
– Cut the avocado lengthwise around the pit, twist apart, and remove pit.
– Scoop out the flesh with a spoon into a bowl.
– Mash with a fork, leaving some chunks.
– Add desired ingredients like lime juice, onion, tomato, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
– For best flavor, make guacamole just before serving.
Storing leftover guacamole
– Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of guacamole to prevent oxidation.
– Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top to maintain color.
– Refrigerate up to 3 days.
Following these simple tips yields fresh, delicious guacamole every time!
Conclusion
Guacamole is endlessly versatile, pairing well with proteins like seafood, chicken, and steak in items ranging from tacos to sandwiches to pizza. Spices like cumin and chili powder complement guacamole’s mild flavor, as do sharper ingredients like onion and garlic. Drinks like margaritas, wine, and light beers make excellent guacamole pairings. With creative recipes from guacamole soup to guacamole crostini, the possibilities are infinite. Just follow some basic tips when buying, storing, and preparing avocados for fresh homemade guacamole that’s sure to be a hit.