Guacamole is a creamy Mexican dip made by mashing ripe avocados and mixing them with lime juice, salt, and often other ingredients like chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. The word comes from the Aztec language Nahuatl, combining ahuacatl (avocado) and molli (sauce).

Making guacamole is satisfyingly simple: you cut open soft, ripe avocados, scoop out the bright green flesh, and mash it with a fork until it reaches the texture you want, from chunky to smooth. A squeeze of lime juice helps keep the avocado from turning brown and adds a tangy brightness. Some families guard their guacamole recipes like secrets, debating whether to add garlic, jalapeños, or cumin.

Guacamole appears at Mexican restaurants served with tortilla chips, but it also makes a great topping for tacos, burritos, or even burgers. When avocados turn perfectly ripe (soft but not mushy), they're ideal for guacamole. The challenge is catching them at just the right moment, since avocados can go from rock-hard to overripe in what seems like a single day.