Running out of limes shouldn't stop your taco night. This guacamole with orange juice uses a common pantry staple to keep things moving when you are in a rush.
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Why You Will Love This Guacamole Recipe
- Budget-Friendly Oranges often cost less than limes and provide significantly more juice per fruit, making this a cost-effective choice for families.
- Saves Time You can skip the extra trip to the store by using common pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
- Unique Flavor Profile The orange adds a subtle sweetness that balances the heat of the jalapeño and the richness of the avocado.
- Family-Tested This recipe is a real food solution that has been tested to ensure even picky eaters enjoy the mild, sweet citrus notes.
Ingredients for the Guacamole with Orange Juice
- Juice of One Large Orange This acts as the primary acid to prevent the avocados from browning while providing a softer, floral sweetness compared to the sharp tang of lime.
- Two Avocados These provide the creamy, satisfying base of the dish and are packed with healthy fats for a filling meal.
- Medium Onion Dicing this finely adds a necessary crunch and a savory bite that cuts through the creaminess of the fruit.
- Garlic Cloves These provide an aromatic depth; you can use more or less depending on your personal preference for a bold or mild flavor.
- Grape Tomatoes Choosing grape or cherry varieties ensures the guacamole stays chunky rather than watery, as these hold their shape better when quartered.
- Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper These essential seasonings are what make the natural flavors of the produce stand out.
- Cilantro This herb adds a layer of freshness that complements the orange juice, though it can be omitted if you prefer.
- Jalapeño This optional addition allows you to control the heat level, making the recipe accessible for all skill levels and palates.
How to Buy an Avocado
- Check the Stem Gently flick the small stem nub at the top of the avocado. If it comes away easily and shows green underneath, the fruit is ready to eat. If it is brown underneath, the avocado is likely overripe.
- The Palm Test Place the avocado in the palm of your hand and squeeze gently. You want it to feel firm but have a slight give without being mushy.
- Look for Consistency Avoid fruit with obvious soft spots, deep indentations, or skin that feels loose and hollow.
- Color Clues For the Hass variety, a dark green or nearly black skin usually indicates ripeness, while bright green fruit often needs a few more days on the counter.
- Buy for Later If you aren't making your dip today, buy a very firm, bright green avocado and let it ripen in a paper bag on your kitchen counter.
Making the No Lime Guacamole
- Prepare the Produce Dice your onion, garlic, and jalapeño finely so you don't get a large bite of raw onion. Quarter the grape tomatoes and set them aside.
- Process the Avocado Slice the avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into your bowl.
- Combine Pour the orange juice over the avocados immediately. Use a potato masher or a large fork to press the avocados down until they reach your preferred texture.
- Fold in Extras Gently stir in the onions, garlic, tomatoes, and cilantro.
- Season and Chill Add the salt and pepper. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing the film directly onto the surface of the dip to keep air out. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
How to Control the Heat in Your Guacamole
- Mild Remove all seeds and white pith. Use only the green flesh.
- Medium Keep a small amount of the white pith, but discard seeds.
- Hot Dice the entire jalapeño, including the pith and seeds.
- My recommendation I like to use ½ of a whole jalapeno so the sweetness of the orange juice comes through.
This guacamole recipe pairs well with my spiced pork recipe and goes well as a condiment like my everything sauce recipe.
FAQ's:
Yes, while it's best fresh, this guacamole stores well in the fridge. A tip is to press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole to prevent browning.
Cherry tomatoes are an excellent choice because they tend to hold their shape and not get mushy, even when quartered. This adds a nice, firm texture to the guacamole.
After cutting the avocado in half and twisting it, you can easily dice the flesh in its skin before scooping it out. This method is mess-free and efficient.
The recipe is only spicy if you choose to add the optional diced jalapeno. If you don't add it, the dip has a sweeter, non-spicy flavor from the orange.
You can, but it's important to use it with a couple of quick pulses. Over-processing in a food processor can result in a very smooth, liquidy texture, so hand mashing is often preferred for more control.
Using orange juice instead of lime juice gives the guacamole a distinctly sweeter taste. It's a subtle but wonderful twist on the classic tangy flavor.
Recipe
Easy Guacamole with Orange Juice and No Lime
Ingredients
- Juice of one large orange
- 2 avocados diced
- ½ medium onion diced
- 2 cloves of garlic diced
- 12 grape tomatoes quartered
- 1 teaspoon each of sea salt and cracked black pepper
- Cilantro to taste
- ½ jalapeno diced (optional)
Method
- Combine all ingredients with a potato masher or a couple of pulses in a food processor to your desired consistency and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.
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