Bacon Guacamole With Cotija Cheese (Print View)

Creamy avocado dip with crispy bacon, tangy Cotija cheese, and fresh lime. Bold twist on a classic favorite.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, 8 to 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 little 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 Tips:

01 -
  • The smoky bacon transforms ordinary guacamole into something people actually remember and request again.
  • It comes together in under half an hour but tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.
  • The Cotija adds a tangy, crumbly texture that keeps every bite interesting without overwhelming the avocado.
  • You can prep the bacon ahead and just assemble everything right before guests arrive.
02 -
  • Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of leftover guacamole to prevent browning, though honestly this never lasts long enough to worry about.
  • Don't skip seeding the tomato or you'll end up with a soupy mess instead of a chunky dip.
  • Taste before adding extra salt because the bacon and Cotija pack more sodium than you think.
03 -
  • Use a fork instead of a food processor so you control the texture and don't end up with avocado mousse.
  • Add the lime juice right after mashing the avocado to slow down browning.
  • If your avocados aren't quite ripe, microwave them for 10 seconds to soften them just enough.
Go Back