The Colorado Guacamole We Still Talk About
The ingredient that makes everyone do a double take.
Somewhere along Colorado's Western Slope, we ordered a basket of chips and guacamole.
Nothing fancy.
Just guacamole.
Then it arrived topped with a blanket of finely grated carrots and a drizzle of honey.
We looked at each other like, "Well...that's different."
One bite later, we understood.
The guacamole was chunky and bright with lime. The carrots added a fresh crunch. The honey tied everything together in a way we never would've thought to try ourselves.
Years later, it's still one of our favorite summer appetizers.
Not because it's complicated.
Because it's unexpected.
Our Chunky Honey Guacamole
Ingredients
3-4 ripe avocados
1 fresh tomato, diced
1 jalapeño, finely diced
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
Sea salt, to taste
1 large carrot, finely chopped
Raw honey, for drizzling
We don't really measure much when making guacamole, so consider this more of a guide than a rulebook.
Directions
In a bowl, gently mash the avocados, leaving plenty of chunks.
Fold in the tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and sea salt.
Transfer to a serving bowl.
Cover the top with a generous layer of finely chopped carrots.
Finish with a light drizzle of raw honey.
Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
That's it.
Simple. Fresh. Slightly unexpected.
Chunky guacamole, fresh pico, tortilla chips, and a drizzle of raw honey.
A Few Tips
Keep it chunky.
The contrast between creamy avocado and crunchy carrots is what makes this recipe shine. Resist the urge to mash everything smooth.
Think carrot confetti.
Pulse peeled carrots in a food processor until finely chopped. You're looking for tiny pieces that add crunch and color without overwhelming the guacamole
Don't overdo the honey.
You're not trying to make sweet guacamole. A light drizzle is all you need to balance the lime and jalapeño.
Try hot honey.
When we're feeling a little adventurous, we swap the raw honey for hot honey. The sweet heat plays surprisingly well with the creamy avocado and bright lime.
Why It Works
This recipe checks all the boxes:
✓ Creamy
✓ Crunchy
✓ Bright
✓ Salty
✓ Sweet
And somehow it always disappears faster than we expect.
A simple Colorado-inspired appetizer that's become a summer tradition at our house.
From the Beekeeper's Kitchen
The best recipes aren't always family recipes.
Sometimes they're souvenirs.
This one came home from a little restaurant on Colorado's Western Slope and never left. These days it makes regular appearances on our patio all summer long—usually alongside a bowl of chips, a cold drink, and whatever fresh tomatoes happen to be coming out of the garden.
If you try it, don't skip the honey.