Preview: This Fresh Guacamole Recipe with Orange Juice is a hand-mixed guacamole recipe with a squeeze of fresh orange juice instead of the more common lime or lemon juice.
Who doesn’t love a good secret that makes life better? This guacamole recipe has a secret that makes traditional guacamole better. If you’re a guacamole lover like me, let’s talk.

I’m not much of a collector. Actually, I do collect cookbooks….and kitchen secrets. They’re all over this blog. For example, there’s cardamom in my sweet yeast bread, chocolate in my chili, and ground cloves in my cinnamon rolls to name a few. They are usually in small amounts so the flavor is unrecognizable, but they add a distinctive touch.
The secret ingredient in my guacamole is a squeeze of fresh orange juice. I learned it from watching the waiters at Boudro’s, my favorite restaurant on the Riverwalk in San Antonio.
This recipe is my version. You can see the authentic recipe on Boudro’s website.
What’s the secret to buying avocados without bruises?
You can read all about how I buy avocados here, but for this article, I’ll summarize. Buy the hard-as-a-rock and green-as-a-leprechaun avocado about 2-3 days before you want to use them. Let them ripen on the counter.
When they are soft on the stem end, refrigerate them. I buy avocadoes once a week. They are in constant rotation from the grocery bag to the ripening bowl to the produce drawer in my fridge.
If you want to buy avocados to use the same day, go to the best market or fresh fruit stand in town where the produce is more expensive. The avocados are usually less shop weary.
Press ever-so-lightly at the stem end. If it gives a little, it should be good. Experience helps with knowing when an avocado is at its perfect ripeness.
What if I don’t have orange juice on hand?
Lime juice and lemon juice are the more common ingredients used in guacamole to balance the richness of avocadoes. Either or both citrus juices can easily substitute for the orange juice.
What kind of texture do you prefer with your guacamole?
Guacamole is subject to personal tastes and family traditions, much like meatloaf or potato salad. I like mine chunky (chunkier than shown above– it got a touch too much love in the whole mixing and picture-taking process).
This recipe is relatively mild so the natural flavor of avocado can be appreciated. If you want more flavor, keep reading.
Interesting variations:
Try adding one of the following to this guacamole recipe:
- a few dashes of hot sauce like Frank’s Red Hot or Tabasco Green Pepper Sauce
- a spicier salsa
- chopped fresh garlic
- Pico De Gallo
- Chopped onions or onion powder
No raw onions are allowed in my guacamole. My favorite salsa adds the ideal onion flavor. Almost any variety made by D.L. Jardines will work.
How to serve guacamole:
Guacamole is commonly served as a dip with corn or tortilla chips. However, I also like guacamole on sandwiches like a BLT or a San Antonion Bean Burger. Try guacamole on toast (spread like jelly), or used as a condiment alongside other Mexican food.
How to make fresh guacamole with orange juice:
How should I store leftover guac?
That is a good question. I’ve tried leaving the seed in the prepared guac. Not much good.
Plastic wrap isn’t much better. You still have to physically remove the top layer.
I like Faith Durand’s idea over at the kitchn.com. Cover leftover guacamole with a thin layer of water. Add a lid and refrigerate.
Pour the water off when you are ready to use it. It will be a bit water-logged on the surface but if you stir it up, your avocado dip will be good as new.
More recipes for Tex-Mex lovers:
Easy Jalapeño Hush Puppies for Your Next Fish Fry
These Jalapeño Hush Puppies will have people talking at your next shrimp fry.
Cheesy Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes (No Gravy Needed)
Cheesy Jalapeno Mashed Potatoes (No Gravy Needed) are similar to the Papas con Chile at Abuelo's. They can be made a day ahead of time.
Easy Nacho Meat and Cheese Dip
Sausage and beef are combined with green chili peppers and cheese for a filling and hearty party dip.
Did you enjoy this recipe? You can help others (and me) by leaving a rating on the recipe card itself underneath the picture. No comment required. Thank you.
Hope to see you again soon!
Paula
p.s. Questions? Email me: paula at saladinajar.com.
A Fresh Guacamole Recipe with Orange Juice

Hand-mixed guacamole with a squeeze of orange
Ingredients
- 3 large, ripe avocados
- 2 tablespoons salsa of your choice
- Juice of 1/2 orange
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Slice avocado lengthwise and split in half. Remove the flesh to a small bowl.
- Use a table knife to chop avocados until chunky. Mix in salsa and orange juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped fresh tomatoes and cilantro if desired.
Notes
Substitute lime or lemon juice for all or part of the orange juice for a more traditional guacamole.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 107Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g
Chris
Sunday 6th of October 2013
Just made this. It was really excellent. Topped it of with a beer of my choice. Thanks for the recepie!
Anthony
Wednesday 25th of July 2012
I just ate at Boudros and the guacamole was the best I've ever had...and I've had a lot of guacamole!!!! Do you have a similar recipe??
Paula
Wednesday 25th of July 2012
Anthony, You have found my similar recipe. It is not THE recipe--just my attempt to get close. I do not like pico de gallo so I don't add it but I know the restaurant does.
tasteofbeirut
Sunday 3rd of July 2011
I adore guacamole and will try your version; in Lebanon I might use bitter oranges which are used there a lot to make extracts and jams.
Rebekah
Wednesday 8th of June 2011
This sounds very interesting, I'll definitely have to try it! I usually make my own pico de gallo with roma tomatoes, sweet yellow onion (it's much milder), tons of cilantro, fresh lime juice, a bit of kosher salt and some fresh-cracked pepper. Super-simple--I just mix that straight into my mashed avocado and make sure to add enough of the juice, which does help keep it from browning. I make enough pico to serve it separately from the guac for those who don't care for avocado (though they're crazy, I say). I couldn't tell you how long it keeps in the fridge, because there's never any left to put away!
Ispahan
Thursday 2nd of June 2011
What great idea to add orange juice to the Guacamole. There is an avocado remaining in my fridge..will buy some orange tomorrow :)