Easy Caramelized Onion Guacamole

Upgrade your basic guacamole with this easy recipe for caramelized onion guacamole! It’s the perfect Mexican snack or appetizer! (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free)

No taco night or fiesta is complete without homemade guacamole! I typically keep my guacamole recipe super simple – avocado, lime, salt, and maybe some diced onion and tomato. (You can find that recipe here if needed.) But sometimes I like to take things up a notch by adding super savory, slightly sweet caramelized onions. Once you try it, you won’t go back!

Why You’ll Love This Caramelized Onion Guacamole

When I made this caramelized onion guacamole for the first time, my husband, not knowing it was a special version, said that it was the best guac I’d ever made. And I’ve made A LOT of guacamole. It is that darn good.

I’m a firm believer that caramelized onions can make anything taste a thousand times better. And while caramelizing onions takes a little time, the end result is always worth it. In this case, the result is the most heavenly guacamole you will ever eat. Promise.

How To Make Caramelized Onion Guacamole

1. Caramelize The Onions. In a small skillet on the stove, heat oil over low heat. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring, until soft, brown, and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove them from the heat to cool.
2. Make The Guacamole.
   • Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh from the skin onto a small plate. 
   • Squeeze the lime onto the avocado and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Then mash with a fork.
   • Stir in cooled caramelized onions and any other mix-ins you’d like.
   • Serve with tortilla chips!

Tips For Making The Best Guacamole

• Use perfectly ripe avocados. To pick a good avocado, choose one that has black skin and gives just slightly when gently squeezed. It shouldn’t be mushy or bruised, or rock hard either. If there’s still a little stem on the top, peel it off. If it reveals green flesh, the avocado should be good!
• For chunky guacamole, don’t mash the avocado as much. For smoother guac, pick a slightly softer avocado and mash away!
• I like to keep things super simple with this guacamole to really let the caramelized onions do the work, but if you like additional add-ins, you can add finely diced jalapeño, diced tomato, cilantro, or anything else you like in guacamole.

Can This Guacamole Be Made In Advance?

I don’t recommend making guacamole too far in advance, as the avocados will start to brown as soon as it’s exposed to air. But if you do want to make it ahead of time, squeeze a little extra lime over the top (don’t stir it in) and press plastic wrap tightly against the surface before refrigerating. It should be okay for up to 4 hours in advance. The onions can be made a day or two in advance, just be sure to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

More Tex-Mex Inspired Dips You’ll Love

• Fire Grilled Salsa
• Hatch Chile Salsa Verde
• Basic Guacamole
• Grilled Pineapple Black Bean Salsa
• Slow Cooker Green Chile Corn Dip

If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating in the comments!

Caramelized Onion Guacamole

Take guacamole to a new level with this savory caramelized onion guacamole! It’s the perfect appetizer to go with any Mexican dish! (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free)

• Author: Kaleigh
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
• Category: appetizer
• Method: stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 2 tsp avocado or olive oil
• 1/4 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 small avocados
• Juice from 1/2 lime
• Pinch salt
• Pinch garlic powder

Instructions

1. In a small nonstick skillet, heat oil over low heat. Add onions and cook on lowest setting, stirring, until onions are caramelized, about 20 minutes.
2. Cut avocados in half lengthwise and remove pits. Scoop flesh onto a small plate. Squeeze lime juice over avocados and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Use a fork to mash avocados.
3. Once onions are done, let cool to room temperature, then stir into mashed avocado.
4. Stir in any other toppings you’d like, such as jalapeno, cilantro, or tomatoes.
5. Serve immediately, or press a sheet of plastic wrap on top and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 hours.

Keywords: homemade guacamole, onion guacamole