Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes

Guacamole takes a walk on the lighter side when served with thick cut, lime spritzed, spicy cucumbers and radishes in place of tortilla chips. A fresh and balanced combo with just the right amounts of salt, fat, acid and heat.

More than just guacamole, avocados are a versatile ingredient

While I love me some avocado on just about everything, nothing marries my heart to my stomach quite like a big ol' bowl of chunky guacamole. For years, in the pit of my heart (and stomach), I truly believed avocados were put on this earth solely for guacamole. But, they are so much more. Avocado as salad toppings, atop toast or pressed into buttery avocado oil, is just an added bonus gifted to us by California, Mexico and South America.

Did you know avocados can lean also lean sweet? It's true! Avocados are neutral enough that they can shapeshift into all kinds of different and interesting recipes. Check out my easy and super snacky Honey Citrus Avocado Dip and my delicate and divine Avocado Blueberry Tarts with Almond Crust to see just how versatile avocados can be! Avocados are so much more than guacamole. But, this Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes will always reign supreme for salty snacking!

California Avocados are in season from spring through summer until early fall

Yes, you can find avocados all year. But if you want buttery and creamy California grown avocados, focus on spring until early fall. Look for a sticker or label of origin to know where your avocadoss are coming from. I try to always buy California Avocados so I know that I am supporting my local farmers.

More Dip Recipes from Baking The Goods

Since I can put away an entire molcajete full of guac within minutes, I wanted an additional vessel for scooping up guacamole. This recipe celebrates the lighter side of the classic snack by replacing the bottomless bowl of deep fried tortilla chips with sturdy slices of light and healthy cucumbers and spicy radishes. The cucumbers and radishes get spritzed with a zesty dose of lime juice then sprinkled with flaky salt and spicy red pepper flakes to bring the heat. They are so satisfying, I swear you'll never even miss the chips.

Ingredients for Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes

Generally, my guacamole is fairly basic. But for this Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes recipes a made a few minor tweaks to let that avocado shine. These are merely suggestions to change things up a bit, do with them what you will.

Guacamole Ingredients

• Ripe avocados make the best guacamole. To know if avocados are ripe, look for fruit that is dark green to black in color. When you apply gentle pressure it should give a bit but not feel mushy or hard.
• Shallots replace the onions to soften the sharpness of white onion. Giving the guac a mild onion and flavor with a whisper of garlic.
• Jalapeno or Serrano or Peppers bring the heat and give this guacamole serious character. Jalapenos offer a more mild heat while serranos bring fire and spice! Adjust according your taste but I encourage adding a wee bit of jalapeno, even if you are spice averse. It just adds so much!
• Cilantro brings the herby fresh notes to guacamole.
• Tomato gives an acidic and slightly sweet contrast to the rich, buttery avocado. And it adds a pretty pop of color.
• Fresh lime juice is essential to a balance guacamole, in my option. I like a high level of lime to balance and highlight the other flavors. Start with 1 lime, see how you feel about it and adjust accordingly.
• Salt & pepper work to prop up the other ingredients here. These are subjective ingredients too, so adjust to taste. Hot Tip: I like to top my guac with a hit of briney sea salt flakes to really make this guacamole glow with flavor!
• Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) are a fun addition to a basic guacamole recipe. They add a nutty crunch that gives the guac a cool contrast and a little something extra. While optional, I highly recommend topping your guacamole with some if you want to change things up!

Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes Ingredients

• Cucumbers, sliced thick are a fresh and sturdy scoop for maxing out on guac-age with every bite. The crisp texture is just right against the mushy guac.
• Radishes are another fun guacamole dipper. When sliced thick, they too offer a crisp bite with a spicy fresh backbone. Carrots, Jicama and watermelon are also great contenders for guacamole dippers, FYI.
• Lime juice squeezed over the top of the veggies keeps them fresh, zesty and dip ready!
• Red Pepper Flakes or Tajin sprinkled on top gives the veggies a spicy element that plays well with the creamy, earthy guacamole. Sprinkle to taste.
• Sea Salt Flakes add a briney crunch while highlighting the fresh veggie flavors.

The flavor combo in my Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes is fresh and balanced with just the right amounts of salt, fat acid and heat. FYI if you don't already have it, get the book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, it'll change your life in the kitchen. 

How to make guacamole

Making guacamole isn't much more work that picking up a tub of store-bought guacamole but wow, is homemade superior! A basic guacamole recipe comes together in moments without any fancy equipment needed. The best part about homemade guacamole is you can dial it in to fit your tastes perfectly. Want it zestier? add more lime! Need salt, sprinkle it on. Turn up the heat with extra jalapenos or serranos. Or top with with crunchy pepitas! Make Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes work for you, baby!

• Finely chop the shallots and peppers. Thinly slice a few peppers to reserve for garnish, if you're feeling fancy. Then combine the shallots, peppers, lime juice, salt and pepper together in a bowl so they can get to know each other well. This helps cut down on the sharpness and meld the flavors together.
• Chop the tomatoes and cilantro and set aside.
• Smash avocados with a wooden spoon or fork in a medium bowl until mashed but still slightly chunky. Mix in the chopped shallot, pepper and lime juice mixture. Smash until combined.
• Add the tomatoes and cilantro after the guacamole is mixed so they don't smashed and destroyed. Mix in until just combined.
• Top with toasted pepitas, sea salt flakes and a few thin slices of pepper to garnish.

How to serve Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes

First of all, there is nothing quite like a the freshness of a tableside guacamole experience So, I highly recommend serving this Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes immediately. However, there is a good amount of lime in this recipe and if you cover the guacamole tightly with plastic wrap, it should at least last a few hours in the fridge.

As the name suggests, this Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes has everything you need! But, carrot sticks or jicama are always great additions. I usually serve it with a side of tortilla chips as well, because who are we kidding!

This recipe for Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers is inspired by a classic Portland, OR spot

I first had the combo of Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers at my #1, all-time, hands-down, far and away, favorite restaurant in Portland, OR, ¿Por Qué No?. Since there is no way on earth I could ever recreate their to-die-for Barbacoa topped Bryan's Bowl, seasonally inspired veggie tacos or ass kicking pints of spicy house made margaritas, I can at least mimic the PQN staple and make my own Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes here at home in in California.

Whenever I'm homesick for squeezing into the itty bitty, hole in the wall in my old Portland neighborhood, I crank the 90s hip hop (just like they do at PQN) mash up some Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes and call my best friend, Bridget, to reminisce about our fave little taco shop in all of the land. 

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