How to Keep Guacamole from Turning Brown

Need to know how to keep guacamole from turning brown? Find out how to store guacamole, plus my favorite creamy homemade guacamole recipe that’s packed with classic Tex-Mex flavor!

I like having avocados with Spicy Shrimp Tacos, Chicken Fajitas, and even in Chocolate Mousse! But sometimes I end up with more ripe avocados than I know what to do with.

And that’s the perfect time to make a big batch of guacamole.

My family loves guacamole, and we like this recipe the best – it’s a little creamier than traditional guacamole, yet it’s still packed with classic Tex-Mex flavor. And while we can go through quite a bit of it fairly quickly, we usually have some left over.

So, I knew I needed to figure out how to keep guacamole from turning brown.

Here’s how to make creamy homemade guacamole, plus how to keep guacamole fresh once you make it!

CREAMY HOMEMADE GUACAMOLE INGREDIENTS

• Hass avocados
• Sour cream
• Lime
• Sea salt
• Garlic
• Red onion
• Cilantro

HOW TO MAKE CREAMY GUACAMOLE

Step 1. Remove skin and pits from avocados and place in a mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash them to your desired consistency (we like ours pretty chunky).

Step 2. Stir in sour cream.

Step 3: Add remaining ingredients, folding to mix.

Step 4: Serve immediately with additional red onion and cilantro for garnish or store for later. See the tips below for how to keep guacamole from turning brown.

Psst! Want to kick this guacamole up a notch? Try finishing this recipe with a pinch of finishing salt! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a bag for just 1¢!! (Get your penny bag of salt on this page.)

MORE GUACAMOLE TIPS

To make this recipe dairy-free, simply leave out the sour cream. You’ll still have an excellent, traditional Tex-Mex guacamole! Or try this Simple Guacamole recipe with diced tomatoes.

For those who like it spicy, add a chopped fresh serrano or jalapeno pepper. (Serranos are hotter than jalapenos, and leaving the seeds in either will make the guacamole even hotter).

HOW TO STORE GUACAMOLE TO KEEP IT GREEN

The only downside to guacamole is how fast it begins to brown. Why does guacamole turn brown? The browning doesn’t mean the guac has gone bad – quite the opposite, actually. A chemical reaction called oxidation takes place between a natural component of the avocado and the oxygen in the air in order to protect the guacamole from spoilage.

But brown guacamole is a turnoff, no matter how much beneficial food chemistry is going on in the bowl!

I’ve tried every method under the sun to keep my guacamole green overnight – placing the avocado pit in the middle, covering tightly with a sheet of plastic wrap, and brushing extra lime juice or lemon juice over the surface. These offer some improvement over just tossing a tight-fitting lid on it, but none of them really work. You know what does, though?

Covering your guacamole with water!

Smooth your guacamole so that it is flat, and then pour ¼ inch or so of water over the surface of the guacamole. Cover it tightly and refrigerate it for up to a day. I’ve actually kept it for up to three days before. It’s perfectly safe to eat, but I wouldn’t serve it to guests or take it to a party since it begins to lose its vibrant green color after the 24-hour mark.

To serve, just pour off the layer of water and give the guacamole a good stir with a spoon.

WHAT TO EAT WITH CREAMY GUACAMOLE

• Top nachos.
• Add to tacos (try my Black Bean and Corn Salsa Tacos).
• Add to Chicken Fajitas.
• Use as an irresistible dip for Homemade Tortillas or Tortilla Chips.
• Kick your sandwiches up a notch (turkey bacon guacamole sandwiches would be a delicious lunch).
• Switch out your salad dressing (This Chicken Southwest Salad would be yummy with guacamole!).
• Spread on your burger for a bit of Latin flair.

HOW TO KEEP GUACAMOLE FRESH FAQS

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How to Keep Guacamole from Turning Brown

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Need to know how to keep guacamole from turning brown? Find out how to store guacamole, plus my favorite creamy homemade guacamole recipe that’s packed with classic Tex-Mex flavor!

• Author: Tiffany
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: about 2 cups 1x
• Category: Sides
• Method: Mix
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 very large or 4 small Hass Avocados
• 2 Tbsp sour cream
• Juice of 1 small lime
• heaping ¼ tsp sea salt
• 2 large cloves garlic, pressed
• ¼  cup chopped red onion, plus more for garnish if desired
• 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish if desired

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Instructions

1. Remove skin and pits from avocados and place in a mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash them to the desired consistency (we like ours pretty chunky).
2. Stir in sour cream.
3. Add remaining ingredients, folding to mix.
4. Serve immediately with additional red onion and cilantro for garnish.
5. To store, cover guacamole with ¼” water, cover, and place in refrigerator for a day or more. To serve, simply pour the water off and give it a good stir!
6. Enjoy your homemade guacamole.

Nutrition

• Calories: 777