How To Make Guacamole In A Molcajete

Have you tried making Guacamole in a molcajete yet?  Why not?!

Crushing an onion-jalapeno-cilantro mixture in the molcajete releases additional flavors that meld effortlessly with the avocado, and you're left with a batch of Guac that's more cohesive than traditional guacamole recipes.

In other words, it tastes really, really good.

How To Make Guacamole In A Molcajete

The alternative title for this post is...

The World's Most Subtle (And Best) Guacamole

Partly because I've always been a big fan of keeping guacamole simple, but mostly because the molcajete will allow you to keep it even simpler.

Crushing the veggies in the molcajete releases a burst of flavor that you won't get from traditional chopping, so you'll need even less veggies to begin with.

You can start by finely chopping 1/4 onion, 1/2 jalapeno and 10 sprigs of cilantro.  You'll have extra of each veggie but that's perfect because there is some taste testing down the road and you might need a little more.

Our starting point for the onion-jalapeno-cilantro paste is:

2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 teaspoon chopped jalapeno
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Here's what that looks like:

Doesn't look like much does it? 

But don't forget that you're using one of these molcajetes:

I have a post on the site called How To Use A Molcajete that will fill in some basics if you're new to these beauties.  To summarize that post:  molcajetes are awesome 🙂

Add the chopped ingredients to the molcajete along with 3/4 teaspoon salt and the juice of a single lime.

For your future batches of Guac, a good ratio to keep in mind is 1/4 teaspoon of salt per avocado.  That's what we're starting with here, but you are welcome to undershoot a little bit and leave some room for a final seasoning at the end.

Use the pestle to crush these ingredients into a paste-like substance.  Keep a spatula close by to help corral the paste.

Crushing these ingredients will release additional oils that lie dormant when lightly chopped, so don't skip this step!  It's the primary reason that molcajetes are making such a big comeback.

Add the flesh of three ripe avocados and use the pestle to show them who the boss is.

They will instantly transform from avocados into guacamole under the weight of your new favorite kitchen tool.

And now take a taste!

I'm always surprised how complete it tastes with so little effort involved.  

I know some of you will want a little more oomph, but I think it's worth trying out this World's Most Subtle Version.  It's delicious when there's just a hint of flavor from the onion-jalapeno-cilantro mixture.

And of course, the burst of acidity from the lime brings it all together.  Keep an extra lime around for some final tweaking.  I added another squeeze of lime and a final pinch of salt to this batch.

I also think it tastes best when the heat can barely be heard in the background, but remember that you've got leftover chopped jalapeno if you want a bit more fire. 

With regards to additional fixings or amping up the flavor, one thing to keep in mind is how you're going to use the guacamole.

I'd say 9 out of 10 times I make this I'm using it in tacos, burritos, or enchiladas that already have loads of flavor.  That's a perfect fit for this subtle version we've made here today.

Of course, if the Guac is the star attraction of the appetizer table then it might be more appropriate to load it up with a few more fixings (tomatoes, garlic, more cilantro and jalapeno, etc.)

But there's a good chance this simple Molcajete version will be high on your list the next time you're craving some Guac.  It's so satisfying and it's definitely willing to accommodate your taste buds with a few final tweaks.

Enjoy!

More tips on choosing and curing molcajetes

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