The moment that made me stop
You might have seen the video where Alma showed me her guacamole. It was simple, fast, and full of flavor. Then she added mayonnaise and gave the bowl a gentle mix. Not sour cream. Not yogurt. Mayo. I paused. Then I tasted. It made sense.
Before you roll your eyes
I know the purists are doing a double take. Take a breath. This is not about breaking tradition for attention. Instead, it is about what actually works on the plate.
Why mayo works here
First, mayonnaise is an emulsion. The Spruce explains it here. That means it brings creaminess and structure at the same time. As a result, the guacamole softens just enough so it does not cling to chips like cement.
Second, it rounds the flavor. It bridges the sharp lime, the bite of onion, and the richness of avocado so every scoop feels balanced.
Finally, it helps the color hold. Because it lightly coats the avocado, it slows the browning. It is not magic. It is smart.
Back to Alma
Alma is not a trained chef. She is better. She cooks from instinct and memory. She does not need a recipe to know how something should taste. When she added mayo, it was not a hack. It was a choice about taste and texture. And it was right.
Is it traditional? No. Is it good? Absolutely. Food evolves when a small move makes the dish make sense.
The bigger picture
Mayo does not belong only in guacamole. Once you understand what it brings—creaminess, acid, and body—you start to see where else it helps. For example, a spoonful can turn a pea purée silky instead of sludgy. It can stabilize a whipped feta dip without dulling the tang. You can even stir a bit into baba ganoush to make it more luscious without turning it into hummus.
In the end, the goal is not to make things taste like mayo. The goal is to make them taste finished. That is the work. Thanks, Alma, for the tip, for the bowl that disappears in five minutes, and for the reminder that good food does not need to apologize.
There is mayo in my guac now. I am not sorry.
Watch the video
Want to see the move in real time? Watch the guacamole video and look for the final stir.
