Venezuelan Guasacaca Recipe: A Must-Try Condiment for Grilling

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Are you looking for an authentic Venezuelan recipe to impress your guests at your next barbecue party? Look no further than guasacaca! This versatile sauce, which main ingredient is avocado, is a staple in Venezuelan cuisine and a must-try for anyone who loves grilling beef, fish, and chicken.

A bowl of Venezuelan guasacaca sauce.

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What is Guasacaca?

Guasacaca is a Venezuelan sauce. It’s usually made with ripe avocados, onion, red wine vinegar, and green peppers. Because of the avocado and its green color, it’s similar to Mexican guacamole but with a tangier and spicier flavor. 

Half avocado, minced onion and red bell pepper, to make guasacaca.

Some recipe variations include adding garlic, tomatoes, and fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, or both. All ingredients are blended or processed in a food processor to create a smooth sauce, used as a flavorful condiment.

What is the difference between guasacaca and guacamole?

I like to say this delicious guasacaca is to Venezuelans what guacamole is to Mexicans. It’s our quintessential condiment and a mandatory addition to any Venezuelan parrillada or grilling cookout. Some people say this is Venezuela’s version of guacamole, but I disagree. 

Guasacaca is not the Venezuelan guacamole. Although guasacaca is often compared to its Mexican cousin, there is one notable difference: guasacaca is not a dip but a condiment that enhances the flavors of grilled beef (or chicken or fish, you name it!)

However, in Miami, where I live, many enjoy the bright green sauce as a guacamole substitute for scooping corn chips or pita bread. 

Diced avocado on a mixing bowl with a fork.

While guasacaca and guacamole share some of the same ingredients, there are some other key differences between the two. Guacamole is typically made only with avocado, onion, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice. Guasacaca has another layer of flavor: the tang provided by vinegar.

Guacamole also has a chunkier texture, while guasacaca is smooth. However, to make my guasacaca recipe, I mash the avocado, mince the onion and red bell pepper, and don’t blend it. Instead, I mix everything by hand because I like my guasacaca with some texture!

How do I serve guasacaca?

Not as universal as guacamole, guasacaca is a versatile sauce that can be used in various ways. It’s commonly served as a condiment for grilled beef and chicken in Venezuelan parrilladas.

We eat those grilled steaks on wooden boards and pair them with chorizo, morcilla, yuca, hallaquitas (made with arepa flour), and arepas. And we toss everything with flavorful guasacaca.

All the ingredients to make guasacaca in a mixing bowl with a fork.

This traditional sauce is served in every Venezuelan restaurant as a condiment with a wide range of food, including broiled chicken, fried or boiled yuca, and, of course, arepas! Sampling this guasacaca will automatically transport you to those steak houses and the areperas so popular in my home country.

Have a tequeƱo (Venezuelan cheese sticks) with some guasacaca, and you’ll be in heaven. Add some guasacaca to your arepas, no matter their filling, and you’ll take them to the next level.

What types of vinegar are the best for this recipe?

Venezuelan guasacaca sauce in a white bowl.

The choice of vinegar is a matter of personal taste. My favorite for this recipe is red wine vinegar, but white vinegar or rice vinegar will work too. I don’t recommend apple cider vinegar or balsamic.

What type of pepper is the best for this recipe?

To make this flavorful sauce, green bell pepper is most commonly used. But there are different versions of this avocado salsa. I prefer, for example, red bell pepper. Not only are they sweeter than green pepper, but they also add a touch of contrasting color to this popular condiment.

To make my guasacaca more delicate, I peel off the red bell pepper and chop it in brunoise. if you want a hot sauce, you can add jalapeƱo pepper.

How do I store guasacaca?

Venezuelan guasacaca sauce bowl.

Guasacaca can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To prevent browning, place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the sauce before covering it with the lid.

Can I freeze guasacaca?

Yes, technically, guasacaca can be frozen for up to 3 months. However, I don’t recommend it because its texture may change after freezing and thawing. I will only freeze this Venezuelan avocado sauce if it’s previously blended.

To freeze it, transfer the sauce to an airtight container or freezer bag, leaving some room for expansion. Thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight before using.

The best Venezuelan guasacaca recipe

venezuelan guasacaca recipe grilling season

Following is the recipe card. If you like Venezuelan food, I’m sure you’ll add this to your list of great recipes. Thanks for subscribing to my Youtube channel and visiting my Amazon shop.

Guasacaca - SAVOIR FAIRE by enrilemoine
5 from 11 votes

Venezuelan Guasacaca Sauce

This guasacaca sauce is not the Venezuelan version of guacamole but one of the most traditional sauces in Venezuela. You’ll find it in restaurants and areperas across the country. It goes with grilled meat, poultry, yuca, hallaquitas, and arepas.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 388kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ripe avocado
  • 3 tablespoons onion minced
  • 2 tablespoons red bell pepper, peeled off seeded, deveined, and minced
  • 2 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse sea salt

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, smash the avocado with a fork.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients to the avocado base and mix.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Venezuelan Guasacaca Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 388 Calories from Fat 324
% Daily Value*
Fat 36g55%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 25g
Sodium 16mg1%
Potassium 825mg24%
Carbohydrates 17g6%
Fiber 11g46%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 802IU16%
Vitamin C 41mg50%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Condiments, Sauces
Cuisine: Venezuelan
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Keyword: guasacaca recipe, how to make guasacaca sauce, venezuelan avocado sauce, Venezuelan guacamole, venezuelan guasacaca recipe
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