Tomatillo guacamole with tequila is a twist on that favourite Mexican dip. Gluten free cooks become diligent label readers and that knowledge often teaches us to lean into whole food. As much as possible we try to cook with food from the produce aisle where there are no ingredient lists to read. Adventurous cooks get excited about trying new cuisines and new ingredients, that's why I made this guacamole with tomatillos.
Serve this guacamole with tortilla chips, quesadillas, tacos, nachos or just about any Mexican dish you can think of. For an easy dinner we love Grilled Chicken with Adobo Paste, what I refer to as "the best damn rub you'll make all summer." To make your own menu check out these posts and pick what sounds great; 23 recipes for Cinco de Mayo or my Southwestern Summer Menu.
Ingredients
Mexican and Latin American markets will have the greatest variety. However, well stocked grocery stores often have tomatillos and a selection of chile peppers.
- Tomatillos - Sometimes called a Mexican husk tomato yet tomatillos are not related to tomatoes. Found in the produce section near other Mexican ingredients, like jalapeños and jicama. They may have the husks on, if removed they look like green cherry tomatoes. They can be eaten raw or cooked and if you've ever had green salsa you've already eaten them.
- Red onion - Finely chopped red onion is a favourite in Mexican dishes.
- Serrano or jalapeño chiles - The smaller the chiles get, the hotter they are. Find the right amount of heat for you and interchange accordingly.
- Cilantro - If you think cilantro tastes like soap the advice is always the same, keep trying it until you like it. I know this to be true for some of my cilantro-hating friends who were eventually converted.
- Avocados - Learn how to ripen them, on the counter or in the fridge, and keep them on hand as much as possible. Then have your favourite recipes top of mind for the moment they ripen.
- Tequila - There's something fun about using alcohol in a recipe.
See recipe card for complete ingredient list and exact amounts.
Substitutions & Variations
Avocados - Some people rave about frozen avocado and skip the skill (or guess work) of having ripe avocados the day you want to cook with ripe avocados.
Chopped fresh tomato - Replace the tomatillos with chopped fresh tomato for a tasty salsa. Some people like to add store bought salsa but it turns the guacamole an unappealing brown colour. Instead, add chopped fresh tomato if you can't find tomatillos.
Tequila - Mescal would be an excellent substitute but this is an optional ingredient so no substitute is needed.
Red Onion - White onion is a great substitute. Avoid yellow cooking onions which are too harsh.
Top Tip
Do a head-to-head challenge just for fun! I recommend head-to-head challenges for gluten free baking all the time. But don't stop there. Have a Guacamole Tasting to compare a few recipes and declare a winner. This is a fun way to create your own recipes, have a few laughs in the kitchen and get everyone cooking. Name and save your favourite recipes to repeat year after year.
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Tomatillo Guacamole with Tequila
Ingredients
- 6 oz tomatillos, husked and rinsed about 4 large ones
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 serrano chiles* seeded and finely chopped
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large avocados
- 1 tablespoon tequila
Instructions
- Preheat broiler and broil tomatillos on a baking sheet turning them until they are charred all over, 7-10 minutes. Alternately, this can be done over the flame of a gas stove using tongs. Set aside to cool.
- Combine onion, chiles, cilantro, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Coarsely chop the tomatillos and add them to the onion mixture mashing everything with a fork.
- Pit and peel avocados. Add to the bowl and mash slowly incorporating the other ingredients until guacamole is evenly mixed but still chunky. Add tequila and stir.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
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