• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Monica Nedeff
  • Breakfast
  • Main Meals
  • Side Dishes
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    4 Ingredient Simple Guacamole with Lemon

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    super simple guacamole pin
    4 ingredient guacamole pin
    guacamole with lemon juice pin

    This Super Simple Guacamole recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes using only 4 ingredients! Super easy and super delish!

    chips dunked in a bowl of guacamole
    Jump to:
    The 4 Ingredients
    Steps and Avocado Tips
    How to Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown
    Upgrade Your Basic Guacamole
    Creative Uses
    Recipe Tips and FAQs
    4 Ingredient Simple Guacamole with Lemon

    The 4 Ingredients

    • Avocados: In this recipe, I used two regular avocados but on the larger side. I usually like using the jumbo avocados when their availble though for the extra avocado!
    • Garlic: 1 large clove finely minced adds the perfect amount of garlicky flavor.
    • Lemon: Serious question: Are you a lemon or lime in guacamole kinda person? I know the traditional way uses lime, but I personally prefer guacamole with lemon! I like the flavor better with lemon juice, but lime works too. If you're out of fresh lemons or limes, try using bottled lime or lemon juice. Although, freshly squeezed juice is definitely the best!
    • Salt: Salt enhances the flavors and brings it all together. Add a smaller amount than you think you'll want and then taste and adjust as needed.
    sliced in half avocados with half with a bowl of salt and a juiced lemon

    Steps and Avocado Tips

    Guacamole really is a taste as you go kind of recipe. The amounts of salt and lemon vary depending on the size of avocados and of course, your taste preference.

    But before we get into the recipe steps, a few avocado tips!

    • Ever wondered how to tell when your avocados are ripe? Gently press near the top by the stem and when you get a little give or softness - it's guacamole time!
    • If you need to ripen an avocado, place it in a brown paper bag and seal it shutting it from getting outside air. If you want to speed it up even more, add an apple or banana to the bag with the avocados to help the process.

    Onto the recipe steps! Start by mashing up the avocado in a bowl with a fork or potato masher. Add the minced garlic, lemon juice and salt.

    Stir to combine well. Taste and adjust salt and lemon as needed.

    I usually use the juice of about half a lemon - I love the zesty flavor!

    How to Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown

    I learned this tip from others, and it's a life saver to keep that guac fresh!

    To avoid the brown color that comes with exposure to oxygen, place saran wrap on the guacamole. Make sure to press the saran wrap into the bowl so that the wrap touches the guac. This reduces the exposure to oxygen, which slows the guacamole from turning brown.

    Acidity helps as well, so you can never have too much lemon juice!

    Upgrade Your Basic Guacamole

    There's nothing wrong with basic guac, but if you're feeling ready for a change-up, here are some ideas!

    • Spicy Guacamole: Add jalapeno, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes
    • Tropical Guacamole: Add pineapple, mango, or papaya to the mix
    • Harvest Guacamole: Add corn, beans and tomatoes
    bowl of guacamole with jalapenos, cilantro and tomatoes laying next to it

    Here, I made a spicy guac with jalapenos and red pepper flakes, and I added some fresh flavor with cilantro and tomatoes. I love this mix of ingredients, but there are truly endless varieties of guacamole you can make.

    Do you have a favorite guacamole spin-off? Let me know in the comments!

    Creative Uses

    Guac can go with so much! Try it as a toast spread, mix it in with salads and grain bowls. It makes a good sandwich addition or chip and veggie dip.

    I know avocado toast was all the rage and tbh it's my breakfast 5 days out of the week, but if you have guac already made, you got avocado toast practically done with extra delicious flavor! Try it next time and let me know what ya think!

    chips sitting in a bowl of guacamole

    Recipe Tips and FAQs

    Can you freeze guacamole?

    Yes! The texture won't be as creamy, but it'll still have delicious flavor. Place extra guacamole in a zip lock bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag and freezing.

    How long will guacamole last in the refrigerator?

    It'll last about 3-4 days, but it'll have optimal fresh taste the first 1-2 days.

    juiced lemon sitting next to a bowl of simple guacamole

    4 Ingredient Simple Guacamole with Lemon

    This super simple guacamole is easy to make in 5 minutes! All you need is 2 avocados, lemon juice, garlic and salt.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Author: Monica Nedeff
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
    US Customary - Metric
     

    • 2 avocados
    • 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 clove minced garlic
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Slice avocados lengthwise around the pit. Twist and pull avocados apart and remove the pit.
    • Using a spoon, scoop out the avocado from the 4 halves into a bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher.
    • Add the minced garlic, lemon juice and salt. Stir, taste and adjust as needed. Try starting with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon salt if your avocados are on the smaller side.

    Notes

    1. The proportions of lemon juice and salt will depend on how large the avocados you use in your recipe and your preference. Start with less salt and juice than you think you need and taste test as you go to make sure you don't overpower the creamy avocado flavor....unless that's what you're going for! 
    2. Other add-in ideas include: jalapeno, onion, cilantro, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, paprika and really anything your heart desires!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

    (Nutrition values are calculated by third-party software and an estimate that can vary based on product brands and cooking methods.)

    Course: Dip
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: lemon juice, super simple
    Tried this recipe? I love seeing your creations!Mention @monicanedeff.rdn or tag #monicanedeff so I can share them with the community!
    « Easy Homemade Za'atar Bagel Recipe
    Mediterranean Farro Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sylvie

      May 27, 2023 at 7:26 pm

      Delicious thank you 😁

      Reply
    2. Mike

      May 13, 2023 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      I found this recipe after searching for "lemon instead of lime guac". This is my first time making guacamole and it was really good! I wanted to save some for later but I failed and ate it all. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Monica Nedeff

        May 23, 2023 at 8:36 pm

        Haha too funny, Mike! So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. Frances

      May 05, 2023 at 8:45 am

      Wonderful recipe... thank you

      Reply
      • Monica Nedeff

        May 06, 2023 at 2:15 pm

        Glad you enjoyed it, Frances!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! I'm Monica - a registered dietitian nutritionist, solo female traveler and recipe developer helping you eat healthy on the go while empowering you to nourish your body, mind and soul!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • chocolate sea salt granola on a baking sheet
      Chocolate Sea Salt Granola
    • Hand holding a turkey burger with tzatziki dripping down the bun
      Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers With Tzatziki
    • ground turkey sweet potato skillet
      Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts & Apples
    • lemon lavender cookies stacked
      Glazed Lemon Lavender Cookies

    Winter Favorites

    • mediterranean lasagna slice
      Easy Mediterranean Lasagna
    • mediterranean farro salad on a plate
      Mediterranean Farro Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
    • chicken salad sandwich with cranberries and walnuts
      Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
    • mugs of cacao powder hot chocolate
      Cacao Powder Hot Chocolate

    Need Help Cooking?

    grocery bag of healthy food

    Grab my Grocery List + Cooking Tips + Meal Prep Guide for free to put the joy back into cooking and ease into preparing nourishing meals.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Mission

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and freebies

    Contact

    Email

    Copyright © 2022 Monica Nedeff | All Rights Reserved