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!
Wow, this avocado salsa looks so easy and delicious. I’ll be making this at home.
Easy and delicious indeed 🙂
I must admit I did initially think this was guacamole. I love avocadoes so finding different ways to enjoy them is amazing!!!!
Hope you try this recipe!
Yum! Sounds easy, delicious and healthy! A must make recipe!
So glad you enjoyed this. Hope you try it!
I am a fan of avocado and I love a good avocado salsa. Your salsa looks delish!
Thanks! Hope you try this recipe!
Looks gorgeous! I love anything with avocado in it!
So glad you enjoyed this!
My family is going to love this! Perfect for taco night! Looks so yummy too!
So glad you enjoyed this!
I haven’t tried avocado salsa. But I’m sure I’m gonna love it, since it’s spicy.
It’s delicious. Hope you try it
I love how smooth this guacamole is, looking forward to trying this recipe.
Smooth and so tasty!
Oh heck yes, I would love this so much. I am all about avocado! It looks delish.
So glad you enjoyed this!
Yet another delicious way to enjoy avocados! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Yup, this salsa is everything. Hope you try it!
I never knew the difference between salsa and guacomole. I love avocados and they are a super food that tastes great any way itis prepared
Guacamole it’s a bit creamier, kind of like a dip. Hope you try this recipe!
We just got into Avocado Salsa and buy the large containers of it at Costco. IM SO EXCITED to try this recipe instead!
So yummy, this recipe is the best!
Absolutely delicious! I added a bit more mexican crema.. perfect!
More crema…Yummy. Glad you liked it!
I love Avocado Salsa. Your recipe seems easy to try out.
This is great on brisket tacos.
Just made. So easy, & so wonderful! Just what I was searching for.
This looks so dang good. Really. I want to have some of it now!
Thank you! It is pretty DANG good. 🙂
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 good, and I would love to try this out! Yum!
I hope you do. 🙂
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. 🙂
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’m sure my homies gonna love this avocado salsa recipe.
I’m sure they will. Hope you try it!