Bacon Guacamole With Cotija Cheese (Printable Version)

Smoky avocado dip with crispy bacon, Cotija cheese, jalapeño, and fresh lime. Bold Mexican-American flavors.

# 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

→ 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

# How To Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoky crunch of bacon plays off the creamy avocado in a way that feels indulgent but still light enough to keep reaching for more.
  • Cotija adds a salty, tangy sharpness that cuts through the richness without overpowering the lime and cilantro.
  • It comes together in under half an hour, which means you can pull it off even when people text that theyre already on their way.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the bacon—if you leave it greasy, the guacamole turns slick and heavy instead of balanced.
  • Mash the avocado first before adding anything else, or you'll end up with uneven texture and chunks of onion that should've been mixed in better.
03 -
  • Cook the bacon until it's deeply crispy—undercooked bacon turns chewy in the guacamole and the texture feels off.
  • Taste before you add all the salt, because between the bacon, Cotija, and any chips you're serving, it's easy to overdo it.
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