Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, but guacamole is best the day it is made. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Can I use jalapeños instead of serranos?

Yes. Jalapeños are milder and work well if you prefer less heat. Leave in some seeds if you want a stronger kick.

Appetizers And Snacks

10 May 2026

Spicy Serrano Guacamole

Name: Spicy Serrano Guacamole
Prep time: 12 min
Total time: 12 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 400 g avocados (ripe, peeled and pitted); 10 g serrano peppers (finely chopped; remove seeds for milder heat); 40 g red onion (finely chopped); 12 g fresh cilantro (chopped); 25 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed, plus more to taste); 3 g salt; 0.25 g ground black pepper

RecipeShare Test Kitchen

Spicy guacamole with ripe avocado, serrano pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime, salt, and black pepper.

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Spicy Serrano Guacamole

This is a simple, spicy guacamole built around ripe avocado, serrano pepper, red onion, cilantro, and fresh lime. It stays close to the classic version, but with enough heat to make it work as a dip, taco topping, or side for grilled chicken and rice bowls.

Serrano peppers are sharper and hotter than jalapeños, so start with a modest amount and adjust after tasting. The goal is a guacamole that tastes bright, creamy, salty, and spicy without covering up the avocado.

Ingredient Notes

Use avocados that yield slightly when pressed. If they feel very soft or have dark stringy patches inside, the guacamole can taste flat or bitter.

Fresh lime juice matters here. It balances the richness of the avocado, keeps the flavor lively, and helps slow browning once the guacamole is mixed.

Finely chopping the onion, pepper, and cilantro keeps the dip balanced. You should get small bursts of heat and crunch, not large raw pieces in one bite.

How to Make It

Scoop the avocado into a bowl, then add serrano, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Mash with a fork until it is creamy but still a little chunky.

Taste before serving. Add more lime if it tastes heavy, more salt if it tastes flat, or more serrano if you want stronger heat.

Variations

For a milder guacamole, use jalapeño instead of serrano. For extra texture, add finely diced tomato after mashing.

For the older pea-style version, mash in 100 g cooked and cooled green peas with the avocado, then season with lime, cilantro, and a few dashes of green hot sauce. It makes the dip lighter and slightly sweeter.

Storage

Guacamole is best eaten soon after mixing. If you need to store it, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

If the surface darkens, scrape off the top layer and stir before serving.

How To Serve It

Serve with tortilla chips, tacos, fajitas, grilled meats, eggs, vegetable sticks, or rice bowls. For a balanced snack, use it as a topping alongside a protein-rich dish rather than making the dip the whole meal.

Spicy Serrano Guacamole

RecipeShare Test Kitchen

Spicy guacamole with ripe avocado, serrano pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime, salt, and black pepper.

Appetizers And Snacks

Prep Time

12 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

12 mins

Servings

Chef's Tips

For extra heat, keep some serrano seeds or add a second small pepper.
Use jalapeño instead of serrano for a milder guacamole.
Press cling film directly on the guacamole surface to slow browning.

Tools Used

Mixing BowlForkKnifeCitrus Juicer

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Ingredients

Scale

USMetric

Scale

Guacamole Base

400 g avocados - ripe, peeled and pitted
10 g serrano peppers - finely chopped; remove seeds for milder heat
40 g red onion - finely chopped
12 g fresh cilantro - chopped
25 ml lime juice - freshly squeezed, plus more to taste
3 g salt
0.3 g ground black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

1
Halve the avocados, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl.
2
Finely chop the serrano pepper, red onion, and cilantro so they mix evenly through the avocado.

Make the Guacamole

1
Add the serrano, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.
2
Mash with a fork until the guacamole is creamy but still a little chunky.
3
Taste and adjust with extra lime juice, salt, or serrano until the dip tastes bright and balanced.

Serve

1
Serve immediately with tortilla chips, tacos, grilled chicken, eggs, or rice bowls.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories 185

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 16g21%

Saturated Fat 6g30%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 300mg13%

Total Carbohydrates 10g4%

Dietary Fiber 7g25%

Sugars 1g

Protein 2g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Spicy Serrano Guacamole

Ingredient Notes

Use avocados that yield slightly when pressed. If they feel very soft or have dark stringy patches inside, the guacamole can taste flat or bitter.

Fresh lime juice matters here. It balances the richness of the avocado, keeps the flavor lively, and helps slow browning once the guacamole is mixed.

Finely chopping the onion, pepper, and cilantro keeps the dip balanced. You should get small bursts of heat and crunch, not large raw pieces in one bite.

How to Make It

Scoop the avocado into a bowl, then add serrano, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Mash with a fork until it is creamy but still a little chunky.

Taste before serving. Add more lime if it tastes heavy, more salt if it tastes flat, or more serrano if you want stronger heat.