Guacamole is a delicious avocado-based dip that goes great with tortilla chips, tacos, burritos, and more. Making guacamole on the grill adds a wonderful smoky flavor while also allowing you to cook and char other ingredients like onions, garlic, and jalapeños. With just a few simple steps, you can learn how to make homemade guacamole on the barbecue grill.

Ingredients Needed to Make Guacamole Grill

To make grilled guacamole, you will need:

• 3-4 ripe avocados
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 jalapeño, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

That’s it! Just those simple, fresh ingredients are all you need to make delicious guacamole on the grill.

How Many Avocados for Guacamole?

When deciding how many avocados to use, a good rule of thumb is:

• For 2-4 people, use 3 medium avocados
• For 4-8 people, use 4 large avocados

Making sure your avocados are ripe is also key – pick ones that yield to gentle pressure but are not overly mushy.

Can You Make Guacamole Without Tomatoes?

Absolutely! Tomatoes add nice color and flavor but are not a required ingredient. You can omit them if you prefer.

What Jalapeño to Use for Guacamole

The amount of jalapeños depends on how spicy you want your guac. For a mild kick, use just half of a small jalapeño. For extra heat, use 1-2 larger ones. Remove the seeds and membranes first if you want less spice.

Grilling Tips for Perfect Guacamole

Grilling the ingredients before mixing your guacamole adds so much flavor. Here are some tips:

Char the Onion and Jalapeño

• Dice the onion and mince the jalapeño. Skewer them or place them in a grilling basket.
• Grill over medium heat until charred and softened, about 5 minutes per side.

Roast the Garlic

• Leave garlic cloves unpeeled and place directly on grill grates.
• Grill for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until soft.
• Once cool, remove skins and mince or crush into a paste.

Roast the Tomatoes

• Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and brush cut sides with oil.
• Grill cut-side down for 3-5 minutes until charred.
• Dice once cool enough to handle.

Cook Meats (Optional)

You can also grill meats like chicken or shrimp to chop up and mix into your guacamole for extra protein. Just follow your usual grilling method.

How to Assemble Grilled Guacamole:

Once you have all your charred, smoky ingredients ready, assembling the guacamole is easy:

1. In a large bowl, mash the avocado flesh until mostly smooth but still a bit chunky.
2. Add in the grilled onion, tomato, and jalapeño. Also add the roasted garlic.
3. Squeeze in the lime juice and stir to combine.
4. Fold in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
5. If desired, fold in any grilled meats at this point too.
6. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

That’s it! Your smoky grilled guacamole is ready to enjoy.

Tips for Best Grilled Guacamole:

• Don’t overmash the avocados – keep it chunky.
• Add lime juice immediately to prevent browning.
• Season boldly with salt and pepper.
• Use cilantro sparingly if not a fan.
• Store leftovers with plastic wrap directly on surface.

Serving Ideas for Grilled Guacamole:

Grilled guacamole is delicious served with:

• Tortilla chips
• Tacos
• Burgers or chicken sandwiches
• Mexican rice bowls
• Egg rolls
• Nachos
• Quesadillas
• Salads
• Stuffed peppers
• Grilled chicken or fish

Get creative with how you serve this tasty grilled guac! It also makes a great topping for chili, soups, baked potatoes, and more.

Make Ahead Grilled Guacamole

If you want to prepare your grilled guacamole ahead of time for a party or potluck, follow these tips:

• Grill all the ingredients first and allow to cool completely.
• Store grilled veggies and meats separately in sealed containers in the fridge.
• Keep avocados whole until ready to assemble.
• Mash avocados and mix in other ingredients right before serving.
• Press plastic wrap directly onto surface before refrigerating to prevent browning.
• Allow guacamole to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor.

Properly stored, the grilled guacamole should last 3-4 days refrigerated. The lime juice helps retain color and freshness.

Common Questions about Grilled Guacamole

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making guacamole on the grill:

Does the guacamole get smokey flavor from grilling?

Yes! Grilling the onions, garlic, and other veggies before mixing imparts a delicious charred, smoky flavor to the guacamole. It takes plain guac to the next level.

Can you grill store bought guacamole?

Absolutely! Grilling store-bought guac is an easy shortcut. Just char the onions, tomatoes, etc first before mixing into the premade guac.

Do you need to grill the avocados too?

You don’t need to grill the avocado flesh itself. Just grilling the mix-in ingredients is enough to give great smoke flavor.

What’s the best way to prevent browning?

Adding lime juice helps prevent oxidation and browning. Pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface also helps block air exposure.

How long does grilled guacamole last in the fridge?

Properly stored guacamole will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to use a container with a tight sealing lid.

Can you freeze grilled guacamole?

Freezing guacamole is not recommended, as the texture and flavor degrade during the thawing process. It’s best to make fresh and eat within 3-4 days.

Tips for the Best Grilled Guacamole

Making excellent grilled guacamole is easy when you follow these helpful tips:

• Use ripe avocados – squeeze to test for ripeness.
• Quickly coat exposed avocado with lime juice to prevent browning.
• Don’t overmix – keep the texture chunky.
• Season boldly with salt, pepper, garlic, and jalapeño.
• Grill onions, tomatoes, garlic until nicely charred.
• Add smoky grilled ingredients while guacamole is still warm.
• Consider mixing in grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp.
• Top with cilantro and an extra squeeze of lime before serving.
• Serve immediately for the freshest taste and texture.
• Store leftovers with plastic wrap directly on surface.
• Allow to come to room temperature before serving if chilled.

With fresh ingredients and smart grilling techniques, you can make restaurant-worthy guacamole at home. Give this recipe a try!

Enjoying Grilled Guacamole

Homemade grilled guacamole is simple to prepare and makes a great addition to many meals. Try serving it at your next:

• Cinco de Mayo party
• Barbacoa or carne asada tacos night
• Mexican-themed potluck
• Game day get-together
• Backyard BBQ bash
• Family taco Tuesday
• Southwest-style dinner party

With its crowd-pleasing flavor, this charred and smoky guacamole is sure to be a hit! Grill up a batch soon.

Conclusion

Learning how to make guacamole on the grill opens up a whole new world of flavor possibilities. By charring and smoking the ingredients first, you can create an incredibly tasty guac bursting with rich, smoky essence. It’s simple to throw the veggies and garlic right on the grill while you cook the meats. Then just mash the avocados and mix everything together. Serve your homemade grilled guacamole at your next gathering – it’s sure to be a major highlight! With the proper techniques and a little practice, you’ll be able to whip up restaurant-worthy grilled guacamole at home anytime.