Have you ever looked at a bright green bowl at a Mexican restaurant and thought it was mild, creamy guacamole, only to find out it is super spicy? Salsa de Aguacate is the fiery cousin of guacamole. It mixes the creamy feel of avocados with the tangy kick of cooked tomatillos and jalapeños.
I first shared this recipe in 2017, and it has been a huge favorite for years. This classic recipe is easy, delicious, and ready for you to try!
Another common salsa found at taco stands: Taqueria-Style Salsa Serrano.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️
- Super Smooth: It is silky and easy to pour over tacos, chips, and grilled meats.
- Make It Fast: Just boil the veggies for a few minutes and blend them up!
- Stays Green: Boiling the tomatillos helps the salsa keep its bright, pretty green color.
- Use It on Anything: Drizzle it over tacos, eggs, chicken, or use it as a dip for chips.
-Maggie
📖 Family Story
My dad and I were visiting Aguascalientes many years ago. We were walking down the street when we saw a vendor selling taquitos. Since we both love taquitos, we had to order some!
When the vendor asked if I wanted salsa, I thought it was guacamole. I said yes right away. He poured a little bit on top, and I told him to add more. He warned me that it was spicy, but I didn’t care. I added even more!
One bite, and I knew I made a huge mistake. It was not guacamole at all, but Salsa de Aguacate—its spicy, fiery cousin. After drinking a glass of cold Agua de Jamaica, I was finally able to laugh about it. It is still one of my favorite memories with my dad!
🥑 Ingredients
- 3 tomatillos husks
- ½ onion
- 1 garlic
- 1 jalapeño
- 4 cups of water
- Salt to taste
- Handful of fresh cilantro
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 avocados
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
My aunt adds a splash of olive oil for texture. Using olive oil does have its advantages. No refrigeration and less worrying whether it sits outside or not is definitely a good thing.
How to tell if an avocado is ripe?
Squeeze it gently. If there is some firmness but just enough give, then you’re good to go.
If the avocado squeezes easily, it might be bruised on the inside and not good to eat.
Now, if when you squeeze the avocado, it’s hard as a rock, it’s going to take a few days to ripen. For a dinner that’s happening in a few days, this might not be a bad option.
👩🏼🍳 Instructions
- Boil the tomatillos, onion, garlic, and jalapenos.
- Let them cool slightly before adding them to the a blender.
- Add the avocados, the rest of the ingredients, and 1 cup of water to the blender.
- Blend until smooth.
🙋🏻♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
No! Guacamole is a chunky, mashed dip made with avocados, lime, and onions. Salsa de Aguacate is a smooth, blended salsa made by boiling tomatillos, onions, garlic, and jalapeños, and then blending them with fresh avocados, lime juice, and cilantro.
Avocados can turn brown pretty fast. This salsa is best when it is fresh, but it will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Yes! The heat comes from the jalapeño. To make it milder, cut the jalapeño in half and take out the seeds before boiling it. If you want it extra spicy, you can add one more jalapeño!
Yes, dip de aguacate, avocado salsa verde, guacamole taquero, tomatillo guacamole. When in doubt, ask if it’s guacamole.
🍴 More Mexican Salsa Recipes
- Chile Piquin Salsa
- Avocado Mango Salsa
- Molcajete Salsa Verde
- Chile de Arbol Salsa
- Mango Habanero Salsa
- Jalapeno Salsa
- Tomatillo Habanero Salsa
- Authentic Chipotle Salsa Recipe
Salsa de Aguacate is an awesome sauce that brings together the creaminess of fresh avocados and the bold, tangy flavor of Mexican salsas. Whether you are making tacos for dinner or need a great dip for a party, this classic recipe is sure to be a hit. Make a batch, pour it on top, and enjoy!
Salsa de Aguacate (Avocado Salsa)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add tomatillos, onion, garlic, and jalapeño in a large stock pot.
- Add enough water to cover.
- Bring to a boil.
- Let boil 6-8 minutes, or until tomatillo is soft.
- Turn off stove.
- Add cooked tomatillo, onion,garlic, and jalapeño to a blender along with 1 cup of the water used in boiling.
- Discard the rest of the water.
- Be very careful. It will be very hot.
- With a kitchen towel, blend until smooth.
- Add salt, cilantro, lime juice, avocado.
- Add olive oil (if using)
- Blend until smooth.
- Taste for good measure.
- Serve and enjoy!
I have made this several times and enjoy it very much! I like mine a little spicier; I use Fresno peppers more than one. I like the heat!!
Great way to spice it up!
If I make this the night before will it stay the same color.. will the avocado turn brown?? Can’t wait to try this
It will change color. I suggest covering it with plastic wrap and pressing down so it touches the top layer. The plastic should be touching the top of the salsa. The next day, when you peel the plastic off, only the top layer will change color. Give it all a good mix. The rest of the salsa will be bright green.
Very good,I used a bit more garlic and water.I will be making more 🤗
Extra garlic = extra yummy! Glad you liked it.
yummmy
Thank you!
Can you freeze Salsa de Aguacate?
Yes, to prevent it from turning brown, add a squeeze of lime.
Wow ! So easy, quick and yet full of nice spicy deliciousness. Everyone loves it, I had to add it to my dip and Mexican section, great on empanadas, dip chicken wings, tacos, tostadas, flautas, steaks, carne asada, eggs, I’m a happy Avocado Salsa girl. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipes, am a follower. Thank you for bringing your ideas on Mexican cooking, you are reaching budding cooks. I used the olive oil and also made it with the crema, both were outstanding. Used just a small sprinkle of cumin.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad to hear that my Salsa de Aguacate recipe added a nice spicy touch to your meals.
Wow, this salsa is amazing
Awww! So glad you liked it. Just made it the other day again, and we loved it.
This recipe is soooooooo good!!
A MUST try!
Thank you! Yes, it’s definitely a MUST!
Hi Maggie, I have a couple of comments! First though, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this salsa…thank you so much fo this recipe! Next, I can’t wait to try your coctel de camarones, but I have to ask you …every time I have had a coctel they are sweet, and that is what I am looking for….how to make the sweet salsa or juice in the coctel….and when making it with clamato it si not the same!! Do you happent to have a recipe that makes a sweet salsa for this coctel? Next…I live in Tijuana and for the life of me I cannot find heavy cream in any Mexican stores here. Do you have any idea what to substitute for heavy cream in Mexico? And last, you make me soooo homesick! I saw all the info about Aldi’s on your blog….do you know if there are any aldi’s groceries in Tijuana?
Thanks Maggie! So happy you shared this recipe with us….I can’t stop eating it….!!!
Hola Maria. I go to Tijuana alllll the time. If you can’t find heavy cream, look for media crema or crema para batir. I know LaLa carries media crema, and I want to say Nestle has it in lata. For sweet coctel de camaron, I’ve never tried this, but this is the first thing that popped into my head. It might sound weird too, but have you tried adding piloncillo? Not too much. Even sugar. Start with just a little bit then add a little more. You know how in spaghetti sauce they sometimes add sugar, same thing here. I hope this helps! Provecho.
This is delicious! My whole family loved it. We added the extra jalapeno and it was just spicy enough. Thank you for this recipe we will be making it always.
Mmm.. that sounds delicious! So happy your family liked it.
super loved this recipe! highly recommended! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed this Allyssa!
Yum, this avocado salsa looks amazing! Will be perfect with some chips.
So yummy! Glad you liked it
I usually buy avocado salsa from costco, but i prefer making things myself from scratch! This was even better and healthier!
Glad you liked it! Hope you try it
Yum! This recipe looks absolutely delicious!! Can’t wait to try it out with some chips!
It’s amazing. Hope you try it!
This salsa looks and sounds so delicious. The color and consistency look pleasing.
So glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it
I don’t like avocado as a fruit but love salsa! I’ll surely try your version as well 🙂
You”ll love this recipe. Hope you try it!
This sounds like a great salsa! We love everything avocado and salsa, so I’ll have to try out your recipe.
So good right? We love this one too
It is my favorite salsa, and I love that it is easy to make, so I will be making it this weekend, yummy
Easy and delicious!
I love anything with avocado in it and this looks wonderful. Yummy and it looks easy to make too.
It’s delicious! Hope you try it!