Mexican food is about the perfect combination of textures and flavors coming together. At California Burritos, we’re proud to serve authentic Mexican cuisine to our customers so you can enjoy the flavors of Mexico without straying too far from home. Many people also enjoy making Mexican food at home, especially America’s favorite dip: guacamole. However, anyone who has made guacamole knows that it can be hard to get it right. From finding ripe avocados to getting the flavors just right, making guacamole is a delicate balance.

Here are some tips for making the perfect guacamole to go with your homemade Mexican food.

Start with the perfect avocado.

The key to good guacamole is all in the avocado. Not ripe enough, and it’s hard and flavorless. Too ripe, and it will be overly mushy with a weird flavor. To test the ripeness, gently press the outside of the avocado. If there is just a little give, it’s ready.

Once you have your ripe avocado, cutting it properly is the next step. Cut in half lengthwise around the pit and then twist it apart. The pit will stay in one half. Gently tap your knife into it and twist to remove it. Next, cut the inside of the avocado in a grid pattern and remove it with a spoon. The smaller pieces are easier to remove from the rind and to mash.

Don’t overdo the ingredients.

Great guacamole speaks for itself, so you don’t have to go crazy with the ingredients. The simplest recipe is just mashed avocado, salt, and lime juice. If you prefer something a bit more complex, use a combination of the traditional ingredients: red onion, tomatoes, and cilantro. If you’re pressed for time, mix a few spoonfuls of your favorite salsa into your mashed avocado.

How do you keep it green?

The problem with guacamole—if we can say such a thing—is that it goes brown very quickly. The acidity of lime juice helps to slow that down, but the real trick is to keep the air from touching it. Easier said than done, we know. If you need to store your guacamole, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and press it down onto the surface of the guac. Getting as much air out as possible will make it last longer.

Authentic Mexican Food at California Burritos

As much as we like to cook at home, there’s nothing quite like getting authentic Mexican food from your favorite restaurant. Visit one of our four California Burritos locations and enjoy all your favorite Mexican and Salvadorian eats!