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.”

 

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.

 

Good Foods Avocado Salsa Is Our Family-Favorite Store-Bought Dip

This avocado salsa isn’t a new offering, but it’s new to us. The dip originally came out in 2016 and, according to the brand, is a fan favorite. It is made with tomatillos, Hass avocados, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and garlic. The first bite bursts with bright, fresh flavor with the perfect balance of acidity and spice. The predominant flavor comes from the tomatillos, with the avocado lending a creamy undertone that mellows it all out. As for the consistency, it is more in line with a thinner, cantina-style salsa than a thicker, guacamole-style dip. It’s no wonder we plowed through a hefty helping of chips and dip.

 

The best part is, unlike some of our other grocery go-tos, which come exclusively from Costco or Trader Joe’s, this brand is widely available from major retailers (including Costco! Plus Target, Sprouts, Fresh Thyme, Kroger, and more).

 

I would say the only downside is that, since it’s perishable and doesn’t contain preservatives, it only lasts three to five days once opened—though that has yet to be a problem in my house. If you do find yourself with leftovers and are nearing the end of the shelf life, the salsa can be frozen for up to six months, according to the product page.