Here's Why You Should Never Buy Premade Guacamole
If there's one thing that's a necessity for every Taco Tuesday and perfect to bring to any kind of a party, it's the classic chips and guacamole. Everyone loves the combination of crispy chips and creamy avocado, and that first fresh bite really hits the spot every time, especially if it's homemade. But if you're outsourcing your guac, it can be hard to find one you like, much less one that's consistent every time. While those premade grocery store guacs may look enticing to buy for a quick and easy dip, they may not be the best guacamole for you.
There are a lot of mistakes people make when whipping up the perfect guacamole recipe. From picking out a perfectly ripe avocado to balancing out the spice and acidity to keeping the dip bright green — Ina Garten has a secret trick for this — homemade guac can be tricky. Believe it or not, though, premade guacamole can be even trickier, with inconsistent flavors and textures, as well as unknown and unappetizing ingredients, making store-bought guac a no-go.
The texture is unnaturally smooth, and it's not a great deal
Guacamole is just one of those things you're better off making from scratch. Why? Premade guacamoles are known for their odd, too-smooth textures and not-so-fresh flavors. Catherine Smart, a chef and instructor at Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, put it bluntly for AllRecipes, "The texture is awful, the consistency is baby-food-like and the high heat processing gives you a cooked flavor." We don't know about you, but that does not sound enticing.
Store-bought guacamole is made and packaged using high-pressure processing, which preserves it longer than handmade guacamole, per HuffPost. While this method helps prevent listeria, salmonella, and E. coli, it doesn't do guacamole any favors in terms of taste. Plus, considering most store-bought guacamole costs $4 or more per 8-ounce package, while the price of avocados has been on the decline, per CNN, it may actually be cheaper to make it yourself.
So, instead of the packaged stuff, buy your favorite green dip fresh from a local restaurant, or whip it up at home using some creative twists on guacamole.