How to make guacamole in a food processor
Whether sitting down to an authentic Mexican meal or adding a twist to your favorite sandwich, homemade guacamole complements a variety of dishes. With the convenience of a food processor, you can make fresh guacamole in a matter of minutes. Read on to learn how to make food processor guacamole, along with recipe ideas and simple tips.
What is guacamole?
Guacamole is an avocado-based dip generally eaten with chips or veggies. It originated in Mexico and typically has five main ingredients–onion, tomato, garlic, lime juice and avocado–with optional add-ins for a spicy kick. It’s versatile as it can be used as a spread, topping or dressing on a meal.
How to pick the best avocados for guacamole?
When picking the best avocados, consider when you’ll be making guacamole. This can determine whether you choose a ripe, softer avocado ready for guacamole or one that’s firmer and needs a few days to ripen. To find a ripe and ready avocado, look for one with a deeper purple color, then gently push the stem to see if it’s green underneath.
If the stem doesn’t budge, the avocado isn’t ripe and may need a few days to soften. If the stem comes off and it’s brown underneath, it’s overripe. You can also hold the avocado in your hand and use firm, yet gentle pressure to feel for ones that are slightly soft, but not mushy.
To speed up the process of ripening a hard avocado, put it in a brown paper bag with a ripe banana and fold the opening. Leave it on your kitchen counter at room temperature for a day or two to allow it to soften. For a ripe, soft avocado that you want to keep fresh for a couple days, put it in your fridge’s produce crisper drawer to help preserve it.
Homemade Guacamole Recipe
Making fresh guacamole is quick and easy when using a food processor. Simply add all the ingredients to the bowl and let the food processor work its magic. It streamlines the process by chopping onions, peppers, cilantro, garlic, tomatoes and avocados—basically everything that goes into flavorful guacamole.
Nearly any guacamole recipe can be adapted for a food processor. If you prefer a chunkier result, try making blender guacamole in a food processor instead. If hand mashing isn’t smooth enough, use the power of a food processor. Use these steps below for tips on prepping ingredients for a food processor and let it inspire your own custom guac recipe full of your favorite ingredients.
YIELDS
4 servings
INGREDIENTS
- Red onion
- Serrano chili pepper (optional)
- Lime juice
- Cilantro
- Garlic clove (or garlic powder)
- Sea salt
- Pepper
- Roma tomato
- Avocado
TOOLS
- KitchenAid® food processor
- A food processor multi-purpose s-blade
- A sharp knife
- A cutting board
PREP TIME
10 minutes
TOTAL TIME
15 minutes
STEP 1. SET UP YOUR FOOD PROCESSOR
Attach the work bowl to your food processor’s base. Some models require you to line up the bowl to the base and twist it on. Select KitchenAid® food processors feature a simple no-twist design for easy assembly.
Lower the drive adapter onto the drive pin located inside the work bowl. Place the multi-purpose s-blade over the adapter, rotating until it falls or clicks into place, depending on your model. Secure the lid.
STEP 2. PREP VEGETABLES
Use your cutting board and knife to prepare the ingredients. Skin the onion and cut it in quarters. Halve and seed the serrano chili pepper. Trim the ends of the cilantro and chop them, stems and all, into quarters. Cut the tomato in half and clear the seeds. Remove the skin and pit from the avocado.
SPICE LEVEL
- Use a jalapeño instead of a serrano chili pepper to make a milder guacamole.
Add crushed red chili pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra heat.
Mix cumin in for a subtle smoky flavor.
Grind spices at home for an even more fresh and flavorful guac.
VEGETABLE SUBSTITUTIONS
Roma tomatoes are the most common in making guacamole, but you can also use plum, grape, beefsteak or San Marzano tomatoes.
Some prefer lemon juice over lime juice because it isn’t as tart.
PREPARING AN AVOCADO
Using a sharp knife, cut the avocado in half lengthwise until you hit the pit.
Spin it while cutting into the flesh and around the center pit.
Once it’s cut down the middle, twist it with your hands to separate the two halves.
Carefully hit the pit with your knife blade and twist it out to remove it.
Scoop out the avocado flesh from the peel or cut the half down the center and peel the skin off.
STEP 3. PROCESS INGREDIENTS
Add the ingredients to your food processor work bowl. Pulse the blade or run your machine on high until you reach a desired consistency, from slightly chunky to smooth.
What are some guacamole toppings?
For more depth of flavor, consider adding orange juice to your guacamole or top it with the sweetness of fruit and spice of vegetables, like peach and jalapeño, orange and radish, apples and onion, or mango and habanero. Experiment with meat, cheese and nut combos to satisfy curious taste buds.
What to eat guacamole with?
Guacamole is traditionally served with tortilla chips or used to top Mexican favorites like tacos or enchiladas. You can also use it as a dip for pita chips, crackers or veggies. The mouthwatering flavors go well on sandwiches, potatoes, rice, meat and fish. You can even serve it as a salad dressing.
What to do with leftover guacamole?
Leftover guacamole can be used in many ways. Simply add it to a wrap, top off your eggs, use it in deviled eggs or serve it as a creamy sauce for pasta. Explore recipes that can be adapted for your food processor such as salmon burgers with avocado salsa, jalapeño cheddar stuffed burgers with chipotle guacamole and mole and guacamole enchiladas.
How do you keep guacamole from turning brown?
Guacamole may turn brown quickly if not eaten on the day it’s made. To keep it a fresh green color, put it in an airtight container and flatten the surface with a spoon. The key is to protect it from air, so add a thin layer of water or lime juice. Seal the container and put it in the fridge. Pour off water or stir in lime juice before serving.
Can You Freeze Guacamole?
Freezing guacamole is not ideal as it’s best when eaten fresh. In addition, using a food processor expedites meal prep making it convenient to make fresh guacamole. You can freeze it, just keep in mind that it won’t be as tasty and you may want to use it in a recipe instead of serving it as a dip.
Shop KitchenAid® Food Processors and Choppers
Whether you’re making a delicious guacamole or chopping nuts as a topping, KitchenAid® food processors and choppers offer ease of use in preparing a variety of dips, side dishes and meals. KitchenAid brand has a variety of food processor sizes and features designed to elevate everyday meals and the opportunity to explore new culinary horizons.