Avocado is by far one of my favorite veggies (though technically it’s a fruit). I add it to salads, toasts, sandwiches, soups, and dips. Speaking of dips, guacamole is one the top ways I enjoy avocados at home. It’s tangy, smooth, and nothing short of a chef’s kiss atop a tortilla chip.
That said, one of my biggest complaints is the high price tag for avocados. My secret workaround for this problem is buying store-bought guacamole. Often, I can find a brand of guac that is lower in price compared to all the ingredients I’d need to make it from scratch.
While I usually grab the cheapest guacamole option at the market, I was curious what brand Mexican food professionals reach for when it comes to quality and flavor. Surprisingly, they all recommend the same one!
The Mexican Food Professionals I Asked
- Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack: Creator of the blog “Muy Bueno” and author of four cookbooks, most recently Fiestas
- Alejandra Graf: Creator of the blog “Ale Cooks”
- Kate Ramos: Creator of “¡Hola! Jalapeño,” a recipe website
- Yarely Euan Lopez, RDN, LD: Bilingual registered dietitian and Mexican food professional
- Juan C. Guerrero, MS, CDM, CSSBB, ISAK-3: Mexican dietitian and food service professional
The Best Store-Bought Guacamole, According to Mexican Food Pros
If they aren’t freshly preparing guacamole at home, these Mexican experts are most often reaching for Good Foods Chunky Guacamole. “I rarely buy packaged guacamole; I love making it fresh at home. But if I do buy any, I choose Good Foods. Their chunky guacamole is made without preservatives and really tastes homemade,” says Marquez-Sharpnack. Graf agrees. “This is my go-to when I can’t make guac from scratch,” she says.
It’s no wonder, given the brand’s short, recognizable list of whole foods. “It tastes like it was made fresh at home. It contains no weird preservatives, just Haas avocados, lime, garlic, and fresh veggies,” Guerrero explains. “I love that it’s made with real, clean ingredients,” Graf agrees. “It’s fresh-tasting, super creamy, not overloaded with lime or salt, and has a subtle heat that doesn’t overpower the avocado.”
Simply Recipes / Good Foods
This guac maintains an excellent texture. It’s not over-mashed like many other store-bought brands. “I appreciate the fresh chunks of avocado and the balanced seasoning that lets the avocado shine,” says Ramos.
Good Foods guacamole is super accessible. “It’s often sold at Costco and other big-box stores, which makes it affordable,” says Lopez, though you can also find it at other supermarkets like Target. Another added bonus is that it comes in both large tubs and individually-sized containers. “The individual containers are game changers for traveling or on-the-go lunches,” Graf notes.
How to Use Good Foods Guacamole
These Mexican food pros also offered ingenious ideas for using this guac at home.
Marquez-Sharpnack loves the guacamole served alongside salsa, chili con queso, and plenty of tortilla chips on a DIY dip bar when hosting a crowd. “When my teenage son brings his baseball friends over, I serve up quesadillas or homemade crunch wraps with a side of guacamole. It’s a crowd pleaser and so much healthier than fast food,” Marquez-Sharpnack adds.
Graf loves dipping homemade tortilla chips and flautas into this tasty guacamole, or swiping it onto sandwiches. “Swap your mayo for guac on a veggie torta or grilled sandwich,” she suggests. “It adds flavor, healthy fats, and a touch of brightness.”
Ramos dollops her guacamole on baked potatoes, as well as burrito bowls, grain bowls, and chili. The secret ingredient in deviled eggs? “Swap out the mayo in deviled eggs for guacamole—so good!” she says.
Lopez also uses Good Foods as a condiment on salads. “Add a scoop or two to a Cobb or southwest salad for extra flavor and healthy fats,” she recommends. Guerrero reaches for Good Foods when serving up grilled chicken or crudités, and, of course, when making a hearty breakfast. “The chunky texture is satisfying, and it’s perfect for avocado toast,” he says.
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