Spicy Guacamole Recipe

By Laura Fuentes Updated Oct 9, 2025

5 from 40 votes

Recipe

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An easy recipe for spicy guacamole you can whip up quickly at home.

Grab some chips because you’re about to learn how to make the best spicy guacamole in just 5 minutes.

Spicy Guac Recipe

This spicy guacamole is inspired by the one made for us tableside, at our local taqueria, where they make it as spicy or as mild as we like.

large bowl of spicy guacamole prior to mixing

Spicy Guacamole Ingredients

This spicy guac is made with fresh ingredients like:

Ripe avocados: sweeter, creamier, and easier to mash with a fork.
Roma tomatoes: you’ll remove the pulp to avoid runny guac. Cherry tomatoes will work too.
Shallot or purple onion: finely chopped for flavor and crunch.
Poblano pepper or jalapeños: this is what will make your guac spicy. Poblano peppers are spicier than jalapeños, so you only need half the amount. Keep the seeds in or out, seeds = extra heat.
Lime juice: an essential acid in guacamole that also slows down the browning.
Cilantro: adds citrusy flavors and is also a must-have.
Salt: seasons and enhances the flavor.
Cumin: the secret ingredient that adds a hint of special flavor. Can be omitted if you don’t have any.

Don’t have all of these? Make guacamole with salsa.

How to Make Spicy Guacamole

The trick to making great guac is mashing the avocados first. This is your base, so make it as smooth or chunky as you like! Then, directly into the bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix them well to combine.

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Keep Your Guacamole From Browning

The lime juice in the guacamole recipe will help slow down the browning process, which occurs naturally when avocados are exposed to air (oxygen). While guac is best made on the spot, you can prepare it a couple of hours ahead. Cover it with plastic wrap, ensuring that the plastic touches the guacamole, and give it a quick mix before serving.

What to Serve with Spicy Guacamole

Making it as a side to devour with chips? Cool. Love it so much you want to elevate a meal? Sure. Try it as a topping on Cajun shrimp tacos, homemade nachos, or easy baked tacos.

Spicy Guacamole Recipe

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

An easy recipe for spicy guacamole you can whip up quickly at home.

5 from 40 votes

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Ingredients

3 ripe avocados
2 medium Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 shallot or ½ small red onion, finely chopped
2 medium jalapeños or 1 poblano pepper, diced with seeds*
½ cup chopped cilantro
2 limes (¼ cup), juiced
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions

Cut avocados in half, remove the pit, and with a spoon, scoop out the avocado into a large bowl. With a fork, smash the avocado, leaving a few chunks for texture. You can make it as smooth or as chunky as you want.
Cut the ends of the Roma tomatoes and slice them in half vertically. With a spoon, scoop out the seeds and pulp. Dice the tomatoes into small pieces and add them into the avocado bowl.
Add the chopped shallot (or onion), chopped jalapeño, lime juice, salt, and cumin to the bowl. Gently mix ingredients and serve.

Notes

Poblano peppers are spicier than jalapeños. Both will work to make spicy guacamole. You can keep or remove the seeds; keeping them in will make the guacamole spicier.
While guac is best made on the spot, you can prepare it a couple of hours ahead. Cover it with plastic wrap, ensuring that the plastic touches the guacamole, and give it a quick mix before serving.