Bacon Guacamole Cotija Cheese (Print page)

A creamy, smoky avocado dip elevated with crispy bacon, tangy Cotija cheese, and fresh lime. A flavorful twist on a favorite.

# What You Need:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 3 ripe avocados
02 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
03 - 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)

→ Meats

07 - 6 slices bacon

→ Dairy

08 - 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled

→ Pantry

09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, 8–10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
02 - Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and scoop flesh into a large bowl. Mash with a fork to desired consistency.
03 - Add red onion, tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper to mashed avocados. Mix gently to combine.
04 - Fold in most of crumbled bacon and Cotija cheese, reserving a little of each for garnish.
05 - Transfer guacamole to serving bowl. Top with reserved bacon and Cotija cheese.
06 - Serve immediately with tortilla chips or sliced vegetables.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy bacon brings this incredible smoky crunch that makes regular guacamole feel incomplete
  • Cotija cheese adds a salty tang that balances the creaminess perfectly
  • It takes 25 minutes start to finish but tastes like you spent all afternoon getting it right
02 -
  • Room temperature avocados mash so much easier than cold ones, so let them sit out for about 30 minutes before starting
  • Laying a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface of leftover guacamole keeps it surprisingly green for the next day
  • The saltiness of both bacon and Cotija means you might need less additional salt than you would use in regular guacamole
03 -
  • Cooking an extra slice or two of bacon never hurts because some always disappears during the crumble process
  • Cotija can be found in the specialty cheese section or near Mexican ingredients, but feta makes a perfectly acceptable substitute in a pinch
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