Bacon Guacamole With Cotija Cheese (Printable)

Creamy avocado dip with crispy bacon, Cotija cheese, and fresh lime. A bold twist on the classic Mexican favorite.

# What You'll 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, approximately 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and crumble once cooled.
02 - Cut avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop flesh into a large mixing bowl. Mash with a fork to your desired consistency.
03 - Add diced red onion, tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper to the mashed avocados. Mix gently to combine without overworking.
04 - Fold in most of the crumbled bacon and Cotija cheese, reserving a portion of each for garnish.
05 - Transfer guacamole to a serving bowl. Top with reserved bacon and Cotija cheese crumbles.
06 - Serve immediately with tortilla chips or sliced fresh vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The bacon adds a crispy, smoky contrast that makes every bite more interesting than plain guacamole.
  • Cotija cheese brings a salty tang that balances the richness of the avocado without weighing it down.
  • It comes together in under half an hour, but tastes like you put in way more effort.
  • You can make it as chunky or as smooth as you like, and it still turns out great.
02 -
  • If you make this ahead, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole to keep it from browning, air is the enemy here.
  • Don't skip seeding the tomato, the extra moisture will make the whole thing soupy and sad.
  • Taste before you serve, avocados vary in flavor and you might need more lime or salt than you think.
03 -
  • Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the guacamole for an extra layer of smokiness that plays beautifully with the bacon.
  • If Cotija is hard to find, crumbled feta works in a pinch, it's a little creamier but still gives you that salty punch.
  • Make a double batch if you're serving a crowd, this disappears faster than you'd expect and nobody ever complains about too much guacamole.
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