This bacon guacamole recipe combines your two favorite foods for a treat you won’t be able to put down.

Guacamole is a no-brainer at the appetizer table. But before you whip up the traditional recipe and call it a day, remind yourself of bacon. Yes, avocado and guacamole have a few things in common. Besides both being individually delicious, they also pair fabulously together. In this bacon guacamole recipe, the two fatty, smoky favorites remind you that sometimes the most unlikeliest of combinations are those liked the most.

There is a lot going on in this recipe – it’s crunchy, cool, smoky, creamy, zesty, and sweet all at once. While it is easy on the eyes and taste buds, it is not vegan-friendly, so if you are expecting a vegetarian guest, be sure to make a batch of this guacamole recipe without the bacon. Or, if you’re feeling experimental, try your hand at vegan bacon. (Yes, it does exist!).

If you aren’t a fan of cilantro, swap it with parsley. Meanwhile, if you are looking to minimize the fat calories in this recipe, you can replace 1 avocado with 1/2 cup of pureed cooked peas. Enjoy!

Bacon Guacamole Recipe

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 5 strip of bacon, fried, cooled, and chopped
• 3 medium avocados, halved and pitted
• 1 shallot, diced
• 1 jalapeno, de-stemmed, de-seeded, and diced
• 1 Roma tomato, cored, seeded, and diced
• 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 2 limes
• Salt to taste

Directions

Place the avocado flesh in a bowl. Add the bacon, saving a few pieces for garnish. Add the remaining ingredients and use the flat edge of a fork to mash and fold all the ingredients together. Once well combined and chunky, transfer the guacamole to a serving dish and garnish with the remaining bacon pieces. Serve with tortilla chips, vegetable crudités, or collard green leaves (for wrapping and rolling). You can even stuff them in hard boiled egg white halves for unique presentation.

Related on EcoSalon
7 Delicious New Guacamole Recipes
The Avocado Hummus Recipe You Didn’t Know You Needed
15 Unusual Uses for the Avocado

Bacon Guacamole Deviled Eggs Image from Shutterstock

The post Bacon Guacamole Recipe: Where Dreams Become Reality appeared first on EcoSalon.

The mighty avocado lends itself to lovely variations of the traditional guacamole recipe.

Guacamole in its simplest form is delicious enough, but it never hurts to explore new, creative options that will wow a crowd and take a party platter to the next level. Add these seven guacamole recipes to your arsenal and you’ll never get bored.

1. Hearty Greek Guacamole

Add more texture and surprise to each bite by bringing some Mediterranean flavors to your guacamole. This Greek guacamole does just that with feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and fresh marjoram.

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe avocado, chopped
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 6-8 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
• 6 kalamata olive, pitted and chopped
• 1 ounce feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh marjoram

Directions

Fold all ingredients together until evenly combined.

2. Sweet Mint Guacamole

Guacamole is a naturally rich dip, but with the lightness of honey and the refreshing aromas of fresh mint, this recipe makes guacamole a palette cleanser of types. It’s a filling way to feel energized.

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe avocado, mashed
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1.5 teaspoons honey
• Handful of cilantro, chopped
• Sea salt to taste

Directions

Fold all ingredients together until evenly combined or mix until smooth in a food processor.

3. Detox Kale Guacamole

If you’re anything like me, I can eat guacamole by the spoon — no dipping fodder necessary! However, as healthy as the avocado’s fats are, too much of a good thing can be…too much. Because of this, I’ve turned to mixing greens in my guacamole in order to reduce the concentration of fat per bite and to boost the nutrition of the entire recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe avocado
• 4 stalks of kale
• Juice of half a lemon
• Juice of half a lime
• Handful of fresh parsley or cilantro
• 1 garlic clove
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• Dash of red pepper
• 1/2 small red onion

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a food processor until evenly combined. Add up to 1/2 cup water to smooth out the consistency.

4. Spicy Pomegranate Guacamole

Add a sweet touch and a colorful flair with the addition of pomegranate seeds to your guacamole. Pomegranates also bring extra antioxidants to the table and balance the spiciness of the pepper.

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe avocado, mashed
• 1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 serrano chile, minced
• Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• Sea salt to taste
• 1/4-1/2 cup of pomegranate seeds

Directions

Fold all ingredients together until evenly combined.

5. Tropical Mango Guacamole

Welcome a taste of the tropics in your kitchen with this mango guacamole. The mango holds its own up to the dense texture of the avocado but actually lightens the dip with its sweet taste.

Ingredients

• 1/2 mango, skinned and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large ripe avocado, chopped
• Handful of cilantro, chopped
• Juice of half a lime
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion (about half a small one)

Directions

Toss all ingredients in a food processor until evenly combined.

6. Indian Twist Guacamole

By now guacamole has become such a popular dip that there is no need for a Mexican-themed occasion in order to serve it. However, it’s not something you necessarily whip up for a gathering with an Indian theme — until now, that is. This guacamole variation adds but two spices in order to turn a simple guac into the newest hot-shot appetizer reminiscent of India.

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe avocado, mashed
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds
• 1 large garlic clove, finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon Indian curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Fold all ingredients together until evenly combined.

7. Guacamole Hummus

This recipes brings two party spread mainstays together. And, why not? Their flavors balance each other well and they taste even better together!

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1 can (or 15.5 ounces cooked) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 garlic clove
• Handful of fresh parsley or cilantro
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Place the avocado, chickpeas, garlic and cilantro into a food processor. Blend until smooth. Add the olive oil while the food processor is still running. Lastly, add the lemon and salt and pepper and pulse a few times before serving.

Photo Credit: GlowKitchen, Yous A Machine

The post 7 Delicious New Guacamole Recipes appeared first on EcoSalon.