DIY Guacamole Seasoning Recipe - Peas and Crayons Blog (2024)

FAQs

How do restaurants keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

To keep the leftover guacamole from browning, the employee rips off a sheet of plastic wrap, then presses it all the way down to the surface of the guacamole, knocking out the air that would be in the container if it was just sealed with a lid.

Another option is to brush the avocado flesh with olive oil, says Weintraub. This creates "an oily barrier between the fruit and air, thus preventing browning," she explains.

Besides for your basic salt and pepper, try spices that are fresh or dried such as garlic powder, red pepper chili flakes for a nice kick, fresh parsley or cilantro, dill, zaatar seasoning, everything bagel spice, or lemon salt. Avocados are soft in texture; topping your toast with some crunch can enhance every bite.

Other seasonings and spices like paprika or cayenne can add a kick to standard guacamole. Crushed red pepper, cayenne, paprika, or even garlic powder can up the flavor in a store-bought guacamole and allow you to cater it to your own tastes.

After testing nine methods, I found that a good squeeze of lemon juice was by far the best at preventing guacamole from turning brown. Lime juice was a close second.

To keep fresh overnight:

Adding a thin layer of water over top of your bowl of guacamole is a great barrier against oxygen, and since guacamole is heavy, the little liquid that may seep down into the bowl will not water it down. If you use this method, your guacamole should stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Foods high in saturated fats: Avocados are already rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, so pairing them with foods high in saturated fats, such as fatty meats or buttery treats, may make the meal heavy and burdensome [1].

Add fresh leafy herbs or your favorite herbed sauce: Chopped fresh basil, cilantro, dill or parsley are all good with avocado. So is a drizzle of pesto, zhoug sauce (spicy cilantro sauce), or chimichurri.

Pack your avocado with the filling of your choice for an easy snack or light lunch. Spruce it up with crab, chilli and mustard, serve it warm with sundried tomatoes, olives and spring onions or tuck into veggies, beans and cheese for a really quick, protein-rich dish.

Mix together the cilantro, cayenne, pepper flakes, cumin, and 1 tablespoon salt in a small bowl until completely combined (see Cook's Note). Add this mixture to a large bowl along with the lime zest and lime juice (and 6 avocados) just before making the guacamole.

How does commercial guacamole stay green? ›

But as every guac fan knows, the stuff has a tendency to look nasty in a hurry, a problem only compounded when the product is made in advance. Fortunately for Wholly, the brand had already pioneered a high-pressure process that removes all the air from the container, so the batch doesn't oxidize and turn brown.

“Each panned guac gets sealed airtight with Saran Wrap,” he said. “Then it gets lidded, labeled and stored for later use. This process ensures freshness and prevents browning,” he continued.

Acidulants, such as citric and ascorbic acid found in lemon juice, help lower the pH of avocados and decrease the enzymatic activity, keeping them from turning brown ( 1 , 3 ).

Onions contain sulfur, which prevents the enzymes in avocados from interacting with the air and turning brown. The easiest way to take advantage of this trick is to cut up some onion, line the bottom of a container, and place the avocado on top with the cut-side up.