Sometimes, missing an ingredient forces you to think outside the box. For example – I made plans to make beef fajitas/fajita salad (this means fajitas for the hubby, a salad for me) for dinner last night. I marinated the skirt steak the night before, so I was good to go. Or so I thought. When starting my prep work, I realized I didn’t have cilantro. I’d used what little I had in my marinade. How could I made the required (yes, it’s required!) guacamole without cilantro? I adore the freshness that it adds, and I’ve simply omitted that ingredient before and have been disappointed. Not wanting to go to the store (after all, I had this Live Chat to attend to in less than an hour – by the way, you can read the entire chat through this link if you missed it), it suddenly occurred to me.
Why not use some of the bountiful supply of Thai basil growing in my garden?
So I dashed out to cut a bit of basil (it’s been growing like crazy lately!) and tossed it in. The result?
A unique, but pleasantly bright and fresh new guacamole!
I love that Thai basil has anise-y flavor to it, different than the sweeter Italian basil (that is also taking over my garden), allowing the guacamole to really pop.
This might just be my new favorite way to enjoy guacamole.
Print RecipeThai Basil Guacamole (gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, soy-free)
2 avocados (or 1 extra-large avocado)
1 T finely chopped red onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced (you can cut back the amount of jalapeno if yours is really hot or you’re not a fan of heat)
1 T chopped fresh Thai basil
juice of 1/2 lime
Salt to taste
Cut the avocados in half and scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl. With the tines of a fork, mash the avocado until no large chunks remain. Stir in the remaining ingredients, seasoning to taste.
Serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap (pressing the plastic wrap so that it makes contact with the guacamole entirely) and refrigerate for a few hours.
Serves 4, unless you have real guacamole fiends, and in that case, 2.
I’ve never had Thai basil before, but this dish sounds amazing! I love guacamole so much!
Liz – Me too!
Creativity often comes into play when we’re running low on ingredients, right?
I love your twist on guacamole.
Hallie – Definitely! Maybe I need to stop shopping at the grocery as often – LOL!
Funny how that garden basil does need to get used! I made a similar concoction just a couple nights ago. I LOVED the combo of avocado and basil! This sounds great.
Ricki – Great minds think alike!
Oh how I will miss my garden in a few months! This guac recipe sounds amazing. I love it, and I totally agree with Hallie!
Maggie – Me too! I’m trying my hand at a fall garden down here – we’ll see how it goes!
Yum, what a unique flavor spin on guac Alta!
Thanks Alisa!
Nice save! I agree, cilantro is a requirement for guac. But I am totally open to adding other things as well. I’ve made guac with roasted eggplant, and with mango and jicama and dried cranberries. There is a Mexican fusion restaurant here that serves a trio of different guacs and I just love it!
Cara – Roasted eggplant guacamole? I SO have to try that.
I love the smell of Thai Basil, but never knew what to do with it. Now I do. Copied this and will try it next summer after buying some plants at the Farmer’s Market next Spring. Thanks.
Karen – I love it too. I don’t use it nearly often enough – mostly just in traditional Thai dishes and such – but it’s nice to use it in nontraditional ways! Definitely plant some next spring. It’s easy to care for!
You already know that this is exactly my M.O. when in the kitchen!
It looks and sounds great, Alta!
Shirley
Shirley – I know it’s totally your M.O.!
Sometimes improvisation is the greatest! Thanks!
I’m one of those unfortunate people with a genetic modification which makes cilantro taste like soap. I substitute for it in every recipe. Usually use parsley but I might have to try basil in some instances.
I love this idea! I honestly have never added basil to my guacamole before. But now I just am going to have to!
I love thai basil, yet I haven’t seen it in ages. I usually grow it because it’s so hard to find where I live. I bet this is wonderful.
Oooo this looks great! Going to make some Thai food and this will be an amazing condiment.
Kate – Thank yoU!
Such a fun spin on an old classic, Alta! Love it!