The last few months of intense cookbook-ing have been a complete blur, but I know that someone mentioned kale guacamole somewhere along the way. I think my friend Colleen said Whole Foods offers it? I love kale, and I love avocados, so I couldn’t resist the temptation to remix a classic.
After trying kale guacamole, I can report that I’m a big fan. It’s extra fresh and green, thanks to the kale, which mostly disappears into the guacamole but adds a nutrition boost along the way. Granted, classic guacamole is perfect as is, but if you’re looking to change things up, give this guacamole a try. It’s especially easy to make if you have a food processor, although you can make it by hand, too (see my recipe notes).
Kale Guacamole
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 ½ cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
This guacamole recipe is extra green and redeeming, thanks to the addition of fresh kale! It’s easy to make in a food processor. Recipe yields about 3 ½ cups guacamole.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 big leaves of curly green kale (the Tuscan/lacinato variety also works well)
- 4 medium ripe avocados, halved and pitted
- 3 to 4 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 ½ medium limes), divided, to taste
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
- ⅓ cup roughly chopped red onion
- ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro, lightly packed
- 1 small jalapeño, seeds and membranes removed, roughly chopped
Instructions
- To prepare the kale, first remove the tough ribs with a chef’s knife and discard them. Chop the kale into small, bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle it lightly with salt, followed by a squeeze of lime juice (about 1 teaspoon). Massage the kale by scrunching it up in your hands, repeating until the kale is darker green and fragrant (this step softens the kale and makes it less bitter). You’ll need 1 cup (packed) kale for the guacamole, so measure it out and set it aside.
- Next, use a spoon to scoop the flesh of the avocados into the bowl of a food processor, discarding any bruised, browned areas. Add 3 tablespoons lime juice and the salt. Blend until the mixture is fairly smooth, pausing to scrape down the sides as necessary.
- Add the massaged kale, onion, cilantro and jalapeño. Blend until the mixture is mostly smooth, with only tiny bits of kale and onion remaining (or completely smooth, if you prefer). Taste, and add additional salt and/or lime juice, if necessary, and blend again (I usually add up to ½ teaspoon more salt and another tablespoon of lime juice). Serve immediately.
Notes
To make this recipe without a food processor: Just chop the kale, onion, cilantro and jalapeño very finely. Massage the kale as directed, then scoop the avocado into a small serving bowl. Add the lime juice and salt, and mash the mixture with a pastry cutter, potato masher or fork until it is as smooth as you like your guacamole to be. Stir in the chopped ingredients, and season to taste with additional salt and/or lime juice, as necessary.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Laura (A Beautiful Plate)
Downloading the app not now – hadn’t heard of it! This is so cool, and I love the idea of being able to make Pinterest images straight through my phone. Such a time saver!!!
Also, I want this guac.
Kate
Hope you love it! It’s really fun to play with. xo!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
I love a new twist on guacamole. This will spice things up a bit at my next cookout!
Kate
Thanks, Karen!
Medha
I love that you made this guac in the food processor- and that kale looks especially delicious!
Helena | Fried Parsley
I was so excited to see this in my inbox, what a genius idea! This looks so delicious. Kale + Avocado is always a good thing :) Definitely going to give this recipe a try!
Kate
Thank you, Helena! I hope you love it!
Diane
I love, love, love your recipe ideas!
I want to get a food processor, and have been overwhelmed looking at all the choices. I don’t need anything big-just enough for 2 people.
Could you recommend one?
I really appreciate it!
Keep the wholesome food prep ideas coming!!!
Kate
Thank you, Diane! I think I have the perfect food processor for you. I love my 7-cup Cuisinart classic food processor. It’s not too big, and it does everything I need it to do. I have a link to it in my “shop” page!
Stephanie
Totally making this with my next kale harvest and totally checking out Adobe post, too! Thanks for making our lives better with all your good ideas and tips. Congrats on finishing your cookbook! What a big milestone! So proud of you and happy for you!
Kate
Thank you, pal! Hope you love the guacamole, and hope to see you soon.
Roxana
What a great idea to add Kale! An extra- healthy boost for sure! Plus, that app? WOW! So cool!
Alison @ Alison's Allspice
Kale and guac combo – so awesome! Perfect for summertime! I think I’ll try mine on black bean tacos. Thanks!
Kate
Kale guacamole on tacos sounds amazing!!!
Amanda
Hi,
I am obsessed with avocado’s and this recipe you made is awesome. My husband and I had it last night. Great Idea !!!! PS Love you page.
Kate
Thank you, Amanda! I’m so glad you both enjoyed it.
RAFAEL
Just wanted to say thanks for your focus on Kale. We need more Kale recipes because it’s so good for you, yet hard to cook. Your recipes make me eat it more.
Kate
Thanks, Rafael! I’m a big fan of kale, so I use it as often as possible. Just ate a kale salad for lunch. :)
Celeste | The Whole Serving
This is truly a match made in heaven, perfect for the upcoming holiday weekend.
Lib
Just FYI every time I click on the link to Adobe Post, I get error code 502 “bad gateway”…
But I’m still downloading it in the app store!
Kate
I think Adobe fixed that now. They just changed the name to Adobe Spark Post. Hope you’re enjoying it!
Kari
What a sneaky way to eat kale! Everything tastes good with avocado!
Sarah | Well and Full
Ooh this is such a creative idea! And I love how the kale brings added nutrition, too :)
Cassie
This is any kale and guac lover’s DREAM. Or any green food lover’s dream, really. It’s mine. Can this please be made for me, like, NOW?!
Heghineh
What a great idea!
Looks really good,
An extra healthy ingredient takes guacamole to another level:)
Thank you for this recipe,will definitely try it over the weekend.
Lindsey Mowery
My husband is a health nut and I can’t wait to make this for him! :)
Kate
I hope he loves it!
Amaryllis @ The Tasty Other
Kate, this looks absolutely perfect for summer! Love your photos too!
Meg Moore
Looks fantastic. How far ahead before serving can you make this?
Kristen
Hola! I’ve been following your website for a long time
now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood
Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the great job!
Gayatri
Hey Kate! First off, this guacamole looks amazing and though I’ve never used kale (it’s unaffordable in India!), I’m so tempted to try it :) Was also wondering if Adobe Post allows you to add multiple photos in one graphic? I’ve begun playing around with it but can’t see any such option. Thought I’d check if you had :) Thanks!
Tristi Caroll
I love it!! Made it today for New Years!! I left out the jalepeno’s as we don’t like spicy foods; and I halted the recipe since it was just for a family of 4. There was still plenty! It tastes amazing! Thank you for this recipe!! Have a great new year!
POOK
I use my immersion blender to mix all of the ingredients up and it works wonderfully and tastes great! plus it is easy peasy to clean up as long as I keep the tool below the side of the bowl!
I also use low fat cottage cheese to give it a richer taste!
Thanks
Kate
I love immersion blenders! One of my favorite kitchen gadgets. So glad you liked it, Pook!
TB
will never make guac without kale again!
Kate
Hooray!
Kathryn
My husband and I love this guacamole! He’s not as big a fan of kale as I am, but he always loves this when I make it!
Kate
I’m so glad! Thanks, Kathryn.
Jaimee
Yum! this was a great spin on guac! now I’m craving this all the time. i also added a little cumin and a raw garlic clove, and omitted the jalapeno.
Kate
Sounds delicious, Jaimee! Thank you for your review.
vivian
This is really delicious! Even my family members who don’t like kale liked it. I will definitely be making this again. Thanks for another great recipe!
Arlene
If jalapeños are just too spicy, what can I use instead. Love your site and recipes. Also I’m a dog lover!
Kate
Did you remove the membranes and seeds? If so, and it was still to spicy, I recommend just omitting it. Hope this helps!
Brenda
My friend ALWAYS makes your perfect guac for get togethers, and passed along your recipe. I’ll be making that, and also this kale version in the near future. Thank you. Brilliant site.
Kate
Thank you, Brenda!
www.facebook.com
Very excellent visual appeal on tһis internet site, I’d rate it 10.
Carol
This was a hit at our July 4th cookout. My teenager loved it. When I told him there was kale in it he was surprised but said “I’ma fan!”
Mary
I’m “all kaled out,” and lacinato, even though I actually love lacinato and red Russian varieties, doesn’t seem to like me any more. But your guac looks very pretty, and very healthy! And I’m delighted to see a guac recipe without tomatoes… so many think tomatoes are mandatory, but in Mexico, many places don’t add them. If I store the leftover in the fridge, the tomatoes weep into the guac, and store-bought romas are so pale… so I don’t add tomatoes. I like to blend in frozen peas for sweetness, green color, and to lighten it up, and I also routinely add a touch of spirulina powder, which makes it even greener and super nutritious. I hand-stir fresh cilantro at the end so it’s visible. Basically, put in whatever makes you smile. There are all kinds of variations in Mexico! :). Just wanted to complement you for a super healthy, pretty variation.
I just wish that some day they’d develop an avo that didn’t reach its peak of ripeness for just two hours, while I’m asleep! LOL!