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Caution! Cuidado! Do not confuse Salsa de Aguacate, or Avocado Salsa with guacamole!
Have you ever been to an authentic Mexican restaurant?
You know, the kind where you walk in and you wonder if anyone in the place speaks English or you have to point to the picture of your food because the menu is in Spanish?
Chances are they are serving you Salsa de Aguacate and not Guacamole.
Some of my favorite Mexican dishes that go great with Salsa de Aguacate, or Avocado Salsa: Beef Taquitos, Pork Carnitas, and Alambre de Res.
Looks can be deceiving. There is a big difference between the two salsas.
Avocado Salsa Vs. Guacamole
- Avocado Salsa is thinner than guacamole and made with tomatillos.
- Guacamole is made only with avocados.
My best guess is that someone only had one avocado and had to stretch it, and so, they created Salsa de Aguacate.
It’s usually VERY spicy. Taste it first before adding a bunch on your plate.
Otherwise, you might find yourself gulping your Agua de Jamaica or your ice, cold cerveza down faster than you expected.
Other Names for this Salsa:
- Dip de Aguacate
- Avocado Salsa Verde
- Guacamole Taquero
- Tomatillo Guacamole
All of these names are acceptable. To be sure, ask your server what is in it.
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.
Avocados are very easy to dice. There are kitchen gadgets that can do this for you. However, a regular knife works well too.
The main objection is to get rid of the pit.
How to dice an avocado for Salsa de Aguacate
An avocado is oval-shaped. Look for the longest point and the widest point.
- Cut the avocado in half lengthwise.
- Be sure to cut all the way around.
Do this on a cutting board. It is easier than doing this on a plate.
Gently separate the two halves.
- In the meantime, you want the knife to get a hold of the seed.
- You will need to hold the avocado half in your hand and with the other hand tap the avocado seed with your knife.
- Please be very careful. Remove the seed.
See how mine above has a few brown spots? I will be removing those with a spoon before removing the diced avocado from the shell.
- Hold one of the avocado halves down.
- Dice the avocado while still inside the shell.
- Do this to the other side.
Some people save the seed. They say it helps the avocado from turning brown.
Personally, I throw it away, and wrap up any leftover avocado in plastic wrap.
If you are using it in a salsa like I am, you can also add some lemon to it to prevent from turning brown.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the diced avocado.
- Discard the shell.
Very, very easy! You just have to watch your fingers.
From here, you can put the diced avocado in salads or salsas as I am in this recipe for Salsa de Aguacate.
To make avocado slices, simply make long cuts lengthwise. Do not cut across.
History lesson: Aguacate, or avocado, comes from the Aztec meaning “testicle.” I can’t make this stuff up, folks. Look it up on Wikipedia. You’ve gotta have a lot of cajones to make this sauce. 🙂
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.
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.
Salsa de Aguacate, or Avocado Salsa, is spicy and smooth. It’s the perfect topping for grilled Carne Asada or Tamales de Rajas.
This salsa is also great for snacking with veggies or tortilla chips. It is also completely 100% vegan. iProvecho!
Salsa de Aguacate, or Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
- 3 tomatillos husks removed
- 1/2 onion quartered
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 jalapeño stem removed
- 4 cups of water
- Salt to taste
- Handful of fresh cilantro
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 avocados pitted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
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 or sour cream (if using)
- Blend until smooth.
- Taste for good measure.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
More Mexican Salsa Recipes:

Avocado Mango Salsa is a fruity appetizer with just the right amount of spice. With chips or serve on top of fish. It is a tasty tropical treat.

This Molcajete Salsa Verde recipe is an authentic Mexican recipe that will blow you away. A savory and tasty appetizer that goes great as a topping on carne asada or alone with chips.
This spicy and insanely good Chile de Arbol Salsa goes great with tacos, taquitos, and more. An incredibly delicious Mexican appetizer that hard not to love.
I live in Tucson, so I have been to quite a few authentic Mexican places. I don’t have to point though, because my husband speaks fluent Spanish. This recipe sounds wonderful! I have yet to try tomatillos, but they are on my list of new foods to try.
Tomatillos are easier to work with than you think. 🙂
I had no idea this excited, and I’m such an avocado lover! I was actually going to make some quesadilla’s this weekend, this seems like the perfect side dish!
Awesome! This salsa goes perfect on quesadillas. 🙂
This looks so good, and I would love to try this out! Yum!
I hope you do. 🙂
I love avocado anything from a face mask to a dip and this salsa looks so yummy! I wouldn’t put it on my face, but I would eat it so fast!
Danielle | FollowMyGut.com <3
LOL! I feel you on the avocado. 🙂
Definitely dont want to put on your face. The jalapeno or serrano will make the mask very painful lol
lol!!!
This looks so dang good. Really. I want to have some of it now!
Thank you! It is pretty DANG good. 🙂
Just made. So easy, & so wonderful! Just what I was searching for.
This is great on brisket tacos.
I love Avocado Salsa. Your recipe seems easy to try out.