r/SalsaSnobs • u/SuddenAborealStop • 3d ago
Store Bought I love Mi Niña's chips but...
Please tell me Abuela Irene knows that lime juice is a REQUIRED ingredient in guacamole. Otherwise she's making...seasoned avocado mash?
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u/imbakingalaska 3d ago
Im Mexican and grew up having guacamole made from smashed avo, onion, cilantro, salt and pepper and dash oregano. I’d argue cilantro is more important than lime for guac.
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u/jimbswim 3d ago
Oregano or Mexican oregano? I understand that there is a difference, I just don’t know what it really is nor if it applies here
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u/lannyjack 2d ago
Mexican oregano is a type of Verbena plant and tastes completely different than Italian Oregano. Mexican oregano tastes sort of like lemon.
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u/GraciaEtScientia 1d ago
But cilantro tastes like soap ;/
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u/imbakingalaska 1d ago
Ahhh I forget some people feel that way - a true tragedy! Cilantro is a staple for Mexican cuisine.
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u/Bonuscup98 1d ago
Cilantro is to Mexican food what tomatoes are to Italian food: Only a thing for the last 500 years.
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u/Due-Basket-1086 1d ago
Hum.... Not quite, we have a lot of food without cilantro and we make also everything using roma tomatoes.
But it is very characteristic of Mexico, if you seeing it as a foreigner
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u/thack1717 1d ago
That’s actually a genetic thing and it’s based on the molecular biology of OR6A2. The smell that bedbugs release is similar to cilantro, as well as soap to some people. A single nucleotide polymorphism rs72921001 is associated with it
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u/redrosalie91 14h ago
This. It’s not a “feel that way” situation. It literally doesn’t taste the way it’s supposed to and it ruins whatever it’s in for those of us with the soap gene.
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u/Jimbobagginz 19h ago
Ugh, I had that realization late in life. Could never understand the hype behind cilantro because it didn’t add squat in terms of flavor. Turns out I don’t taste it right, sadge…
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u/neptunexl 3d ago
I respect it. Sometimes you want the avocado to pop out more. I'd definitely give it a shot, can always add lime if isn't quite right.
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u/ExtremeHobo 3d ago
Rick Bayless does about 1/2 lime to 3 avocados. Most people definitely put in too much lime to taste the avocado. You still want a little acid though.
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u/Euro_Lag 3d ago
This is me. I do 1 lime per 4 avocado, but that's because I don't care for avocado.
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u/aplomba 3d ago
who is putting you in charge of the guacamole??
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u/Euro_Lag 3d ago
My wife lol. Better than store bought, but I add a little mint as well. I just kind of combined Bricia Lopez's 2 guac recipes from her Asada cookbook and made some minor tweaks
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u/Elbandito78 3d ago
mint?!
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u/Euro_Lag 3d ago
Yeah my full recipe is 4 avocado, juice of 1 lime, 1 jalapeno chopped super fine, 1 clove of garlic, like 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro,1 sprig of mint leaves, and salt to taste. Blend it all up.
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u/neptunexl 3d ago
Blend! Oh no. That mush my friend. If you like it you it. But you should really use a knife to cut the avocado in to small cube like things and then use a fork to encorporate everything. Mint leaves should be chopped lastly on the side then blended in with a fork.
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u/Motor_Telephone8595 3d ago
I’m gonna try this. The mint sounds interesting and I happen to grow fresh mint.
Traditions are good but there also needs to be room for innovation. Thanks for the mint tip!
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u/Euro_Lag 3d ago
If it helps, the recipe is by a woman from Oaxaca. I actually use more avocado than she does.
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u/mungbeandiet 3d ago
Mint in guac sounds like a crime
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u/Dapper_Mango69 3d ago
I've put mint and oregano in instead of cilantro, lemon instead of lime, red onion, jalapeño, and a sprinkle of feta on top and called it greekamole 😅
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u/DataGuru314 3d ago
Good, I know what to avoid now. I tried Rick Bayless's food once and it was disgusting.
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u/SpecialOops 3d ago
I for one think avocados are too rich in Fat and needs acid
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u/neptunexl 3d ago edited 3d ago
That's where amount comes into play. Are you eating your avocado toast like butter on toast or there little valleys and mountains on the toast. If it's the latter then yes those little mountains need a bit of rain (lime) lol
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u/awholedamngarden 3d ago
My Colombian MIL makes her guac with avocado, a dash of dried onion and cayenne, and salt. I thought it was going to be gross but to my surprise it’s great. Don’t knock things until you try them
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u/Fragrant_Butthole 3d ago
This is how I make mine also. I have a mild allergy to raw onions (not cooked or dried, annoyingly) and they make my whole face tingle. Sometimes I'll throw in some diced tomato. It's great.
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u/7itemsorFEWER 3d ago
This doesn't seem like a far fetched recipe for guacamole. Many recipes want the Aguacate to shine. Traditionally probably used espazote but it's an American product and most people don't know what that is.
Edit after reading your caption- lime juice is absolutely not necessary lol. Guacamole in a Mexican household can be just plain salted mashed Avocado.
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u/Dbcgarra2002 3d ago edited 3d ago
I’ve never heard of epazote in guacamole. That herb is very overpowering and in my opinion would mask all other ingredients and potentially ruin the guacamole
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u/juanhellou 3d ago
X2 with the epazote! It smells great and is probably awesome in guacamole if you don’t overdo it, but I’ve seen it work wonders in black beans or chilaquiles.
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u/Hour-Cost7028 3d ago
I’m Mexican and can confirm guacamole does not need lime juice
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u/AllNamesAreTaken92 3d ago
This goes against the absolute basics of cooking knowledge for me. Why do we not balance it with acidity? Adding the correct amount should enhance without overpowering in the slightest.
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u/fuzzycaterpillar123 2d ago
That’s like insisting runny eggs need hot sauce to balance out the richness of the yoke. Like yeah, that totally makes sense, but a plain fried egg is still good too
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u/Hour-Cost7028 3d ago
Lime is good, but avocados in Mexico are so smooth and creamy and delicious that sometimes you just want to enjoy it. It’s not uncommon to just smash a bunch of avocados and add some salt and no lime and call it guac. Avocados here in the states seem to not have the same delicious consistency or taste of the big fat avocados in Mexico. Like everything else people also like variety just because some like it with lime it doesn’t mean everyone does most Mexican food is served with lime on the side so you can add it to your liking.
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u/mochajavalatte25 3d ago
We’re Mexican and make guacamole very simple. Usually just a little bit of salt and cilantro maybe a touch of garlic powder. Some like lime, I don’t care for it personally. My son makes it best though so I gladly eat his even with lime. He grills some jalapeños on the bbq, salt, granulated garlic powder, lime and cilantro. It’s divine.
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u/highfunctionin 3d ago
This thread has definitely gotten into “what makes a guac”.
I’m here for it, because it’s a fun discussion.
Here’s what’s in mine (I definitely taste test/eyeball until it tastes right):
- Avocado
- Jalapeño
- White onion
- Tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Salt
Your turn.
PS. Is it true that in Spanish there isn’t a distinction between lime and lemon? Both are limon (so I’ve heard)?
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u/Gubo28 3d ago
most mexicans call lemons "limón amarillo" while limes are just "limones", not sure about other spanish speaking countries though
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u/highfunctionin 3d ago
Thanks! Noted ✅
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u/KiLLaHo323 2d ago
That’s not really true. Typically, limes (sour) are called limones and lemons (sweet and kinda sour) are called limas. There are so many variations and mixes between citrus fruits though that some people may specify a color. For example, a limón amarillo (to me) is a yellow lime. I’m not saying the other person’s way is wrong though.
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u/basmatie 2d ago
This is how I learned it in Mexico also. Limes are limones and lemons are limas. But this varies from country to country as well I think.
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u/Necessary_Ad7215 3d ago
Same!!! but I actually prefer lemon over lime —and I go HARD on the lemon bc I like my guac tangy. And I like some black pepper in mine too for whatever reason
ok now I’m drooling thinking about fresh guac.
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u/SkillIsTooLow 3d ago
Avo / Jalapeño or Serrano / Lime / Salt.
Cilantro if ive got it, and tomato if ive got it and am in the mood. I used to put garlic too, but the last time I did it was spicy as hell so I go turned off for a while. I should just put the lime on the garlic to let it "poach" it and see if that tones down the bite.
My brother-in-law puts orange bell pepper, and its so weird. Still eat that shit though.
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u/FlatSeagull 2d ago
Mines just salt and lime. Cilantro tastes like soap, and I cbf to chop up herbs and vegetables just for toast.
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u/ronnysmom 3d ago
Avocado, lime juice, minced garlic, salt (optionally serrano or Jalapeños). This is what my Mexican coworker taught me long ago.
I customize it by adding oregano (American oregano), red onions, Roma tomatoes.
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u/criffti 3d ago
Here is my theory why people think guacamole is so extra outside mexico:
I'm Mexican guacamole in my family was smashed aguacates and that's it, other families do it different but is always with few ingredients.
My theory is that outside mexico aguacates don't have the same taste, a good ripe aguacate can be super tasty so it doesn't need more, so I think before the aguacates that were exported were not as riped and they had to add something to make it more appealing and well, lemon is for sure the best combo. I now live abroad and indeed is hard to eat aguacate alone because most of the times it has no taste.
In any case, do it how ever you want! It's your mouth at the end! 💗
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u/Icy-Preparation-3156 3d ago
My mom discover guacamole doesn’t go bad as fast with lime this year so yea and we’re from Guatemala and yes I know I’m a watermelon 🍉 iykyk
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u/FondleGanoosh438 3d ago
I use lemon juice. Probably the only Mexican food I sub it for.
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u/shakennotstirred72 2d ago
I do, too. I tried it one time when I didn't have limes and liked it better.
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u/malevolentpeace 3d ago
Mix pico and avocado together instead it will be 10x better than auntie gringas recipe
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u/SkillIsTooLow 3d ago
A while back we made burritos, and made pico and then a roasted corn salsa to go in them. Had a bit of each left, so i mixed them and ate it with chips. Since then ive added roasted corn to my pico, its strange but it slaps.
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u/SimpleZa 2d ago
Where do you live that Corn Pico is strange?
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u/SkillIsTooLow 2d ago
I'm in the PNW, granted i dont eat out at many Mexican joints these days, but ive never seen it.
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u/SimpleZa 2d ago
Mannnn, you've been missing out. I've been making Roasted Corn Pico for almost 2 decades. Always a hit.
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u/SkillIsTooLow 2d ago
Yeah idk why it never occurred to me. Always loved pico, and roasted corn, and elote, and elote "salad".
What do you put in yours?
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u/Geedub52 3d ago
I love those chips, too, if only they weren't three times as expensive as all the others.
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u/Icy-Preparation-3156 3d ago
Just saw this sub and I got a box a of 12 of this when ever I want I get chip bags or any flavoring the lime one preferred as my aunt who lives with me is a supervisor at this job and bring home boxes whenever but doesn’t abuse it .she work in Brockton that produce this she can’t speak English came to USA legally 4 years ago and gets paid there over 30 a hour
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u/KiLLaHo323 2d ago
Lime juice is not required dude. And guacamole literally is seasoned avocado smash
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u/Shigglyboo 3d ago
I always put tomato and jalapeno in mine. Also you gotta do the lime juice early or the avocado turns brown.
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u/idriveajalopy 3d ago
You can skip the lime juice. Not required. My understanding is you put lime juice to keep the guac from turning brown too fast.
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u/tropicbrownthunder 3d ago
Oregano yes, Abuela Irene was a nonna in disguise.
OTOH
I once had a Guacamole that was avocado, salt and black pepper, nothing else. Quite good, but not for everyday nor for everyone
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u/cafesito_asere 3d ago
I personally prefer red onion in my guac and where is the cilantro and lime juice? That guac is gonna be bland af 🙄
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u/Ianbeerito 3d ago
No lime juice??
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u/aqwn 3d ago
It’s not required. Guac can be avocado plus salt. Technically I’m not sure even salt is required. A little lime juice or petite diced tomato does add nice acidity, but if you’re putting the guac on a torta or something you’re going to add lime anyway, so the guac doesn’t actually need lime.
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u/Bogusbummer 3d ago
I am convinced people who put in a fuck ton of cilantro and pepper in their guac just don’t actually like avocado that much.
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u/Chrisf1020 3d ago
Oregano in guac… 🤨
My favorite is actually Chipotle’s guac recipe, minus the lime juice: avocado, red onion, jalapeno, salt, and a fuck ton of cilantro. I really like cilantro.
Only thing is it needs to be eaten in one day because it doesn’t store well.
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u/SpiceChaser 3d ago
Most likely Mexican oregano, tastes much different than the oregano that most people outside of Mexico are used to.
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u/JewTornado Hot 3d ago
So people think a mashed avocado & spices is guacamole? Thats literally just a mashed avocado
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u/Elvecinogallo 2d ago
My Mexican husband just uses avocado, salt and pepper for his guacamole. Sometimes he will add tomato and onion. But never lime.
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u/amateurviking 2d ago
This is my go to recipe and it’s delicious, but it does need a squeeze of acid to lift it. Shallots or sweet/vidalia onions work great.
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u/Dr_Peter_Tinkleton 1d ago
Limes originate in Asia and were introduced to the Americas by the Spanish. Traditional guacamole only included precolumbian ingredients and some see Lima and cilantro as a colonial bastardization of the food. I like it though
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u/DarkElfBard 1d ago
Well, they make their guac the way it is made in Mexico.
American's put lime in anything Mexican because we stereotype lol.
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u/ivanbone 1d ago
Guacamole not always has lime certain pleaces is just mashed avocado bit of salt serranos
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u/Whywouldievensaythat 10h ago
It’s not an inauthentic recipe, but it’s definitely not my preferred way to have guacamole, either. I’d rather skip onions than skip lime… for me there can never be enough salt or lime.
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u/IceCoughy 3d ago
Lol peel avocados..
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u/colonelf0rbin86 3d ago
You wanna keep the skins on?
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u/IceCoughy 3d ago
it may be the correct term but nobody is taking a knife and removing the skin, were coring out the meat/ seed
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u/colonelf0rbin86 3d ago
I agree, I feel like they could just say like "cut and scoop out flesh/pulp"? But at the end of the day it's just a recipe on a bag.
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u/GreatBigHomie 3d ago
I for one have never actually peeled an avocado.
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u/bruhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- 3d ago
You start by holding it with one hand and then using a sharp kitchen knife to stab directly through the middle.
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u/Chrisf1020 3d ago
Cut an avocado into quarters lengthwise. The skin peels right off.
Scooping it out from the skin inevitably leaves some behind.
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u/Wabi-Sabi_Umami 3d ago
I mean, not everyone has the same requirements for guacamole. Probably heavily influenced by wherever you’re from. I’ve seen just avocados and salt, which is definitely not my jam, but whatever. I love to make it in the molcajete with roasted garlic and roasted serranos, lime, red onion and cilantro. If the tomatoes are ripe, I dice some and put them in too. I’ve never met a guacamole i wouldn’t eat, with the exception of “mock” guacamole - what even is that? Peas? No thank you.
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u/Aggressive-Tiger-545 3d ago
Cilantro tastes like soap
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u/mahrog123 3d ago
Ummm…..lime so it doesn’t look like baby poop?
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u/CommonCut4 3d ago
Lime, lemon, even a bit of vinegar in a pinch to keep it from browning, unless you’re scarfing the whole bowl immediately. Even if I am eating it immediately I like the contrast of the acidity with the rich avocado.
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u/Esteban-Du-Plantier 3d ago edited 3d ago
No cumin in that recipe.
So it's not guacamole.
Downvote all you want. I said what I said.
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u/bklynparklover 3d ago
I want to try this, I live in Mexico, with a Mexican partner and for him guacamole is just mashed avocado, a bit of salt, and some serrano chili to give it some kick. He doesn't like onions, but I like onion in my guac. Guac here tends to be very simple, in the US they put tons of stuff in it. I'm guessing they mean Mexican oregano which is different than the stuff you get in the US.