Holiday Guacamole with Pomegranate and Figs

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(Note: this post was originally published on December 13, 2020. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)

Holiday Guacamole for the Festive Season

As you guys know, I absolutely live for guacamole. And given my immense love of all things avocado, I'm a firm believer that guac isn't just for on chips or tacos. While decidedly non-traditional, I love to change up the flavors in guacamole and make it work for all sorts of different seasons and events.

My latest love? This pomegranate guacamole! It's colorful, festive, and has a decidedly special occasion vibe. I absolutely love the bright colors and the contrast between the creamy avocado and the fresh fruit. It would be at home on any holiday table.

I want to reinforce the fact that this is by no means a traditional approach to guacamole. If you'd rather not use that name, you can think of it as an avocado mash. But whatever you want to call it, this festive green and red avocado dip wants to be invited to all your December events. In fact, this over-the-top pomegranate and fig guacamole is all I want for Christmas!

Holiday guacamole with pomegranate and figs

A Celebration of Fall Fruits

This nontraditional holiday dip celebrates two of the season's most special and beautiful gifts: pomegranate and figs. Both are such treasures that are available for only a fleeting period every fall. And while I've seen a few other pomegranate guacamole recipes online, I think this loaded pomegranate + fig guacamole is unique and unlike any other recipe out there. Why choose one special holiday fruit when you can have two?

Skeptical about the idea of fruit in guac? Don't be! Fruit and avocado are actually a match made in heaven (and it's worth pointing out the fact that avocados are technically fruit too). I use a similar combination in my Hawaiian Tropical Fruit Guacamole and it's magical. If you've never tried fruit and avos together before, this holiday guacamole is a great place to start.

Beautiful fig and pomegranate guacamole shown alongside fresh figs

Fig + Pomegranate Guacamole Variations

There are a lot of ways you can change up this holiday guacamole to make it work for you. First, although lime juice is generally the traditional citrus to use in guacamole, feel free to use lemon juice instead if it matches your menu better. Lemon juice is especially nice if you'll be pairing this dish with Mediterranean flavors.

You'll also see that the recipe doesn't call for fresh herbs; that's because there's so much going on in this festive fig guacamole that I'm not convinced herbs are necessary. But if you want some extra freshness and pop, feel free to add cilantro (if you're working with Mexican or tropical flavors), basil (if you're working with Mediterranean flavors), or even parsley.

Close-up of a serving bowl with festive holiday guacamole

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here's what you'll need for this pomegranate and fig guacamole, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

  • Ripe avocados
  • Lime juice. Definitely fresh-squeezed! Feel free to use lemon juice instead if it matches your menu better, or possibly even orange juice. The flavors in this pomegranate guacamole are relatively neutral otherwise, so the citrus you choose can dictate the overall direction of the dish.
  • Sea salt
  • Pomegranate. There are some good tutorials online for how to clean a pomegranate. This part takes some time, so if you're making this dish for a holiday meal I suggest tackling the pomegranate the day before (just make sure you store it in a tightly sealed container in the fridge).
  • Fresh figs

Guacamole with pomegranate, figs, and lime juice

Closing Thoughts

Well, are you sold on the idea of holiday guacamole? With its red and green color scheme, abundance of decadent seasonal fruits, and versatile flavor profile, this festive dip is perfect for all your late-fall and winter occasions. You could enjoy this guac for everything from a December date night to a holiday party to Christmas dinner. Plus given that it's easy to make and requires just a handful of ingredients, it's one you can come back to again and again.

I especially love that this fig and pomegranate guacamole is a celebration of some of the world's most fabulous fruits in all their glory. Fruit absolutely amazes me with its beauty, and I think this recipe is such a special way of showing it off. Thank you Mother Nature for these incredible gifts!

Pomegranate guacamole appetizer for holiday parties

Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

Suggested Pairings

Cranberry Orange Ginger Rum Punch

Maple Sea Salt Hummus

Apple Cider Harvest Salad

Wild Rice Stuffed Delicata Squash

Rum Poached Pears

Holiday Guacamole with Pomegranate and Figs

This festive holiday guacamole celebrates iconic, seasonal fruits in all their glory. All dressed up in red and green, it's perfect for all your holiday meals and is easy to make too.

Author:
Lee

Ingredients

  • Three ripe avocados
  • Juice of a lime
  • 0.25 tsp flaky sea salt
  • 0.5 c pomegranate arils
  • 6-8 fresh figs

Instructions

  1. Cut open the avocados and remove the pits, then scoop out the flesh.
  2. In a mixing bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Taste and adjust based on your personal preferences.
  3. Very gently, stir in most of the pomegranate arils, saving a few to garnish the top.
  4. Transfer the guacamole to a serving dish and garnish with the remaining pomegranate arils, sliced fresh figs, and an additional sprinkle of salt. Serve immediately so the avocado doesn't brown.

Leave a Comment

Please Share Your Thoughts!

Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.

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Dawn P
December 10, 2022
I love the idea of switching lime to lemon & Cilantro to Basil 🤤 What's more tempting is the addition of fresh figs. You always have the most delicious ideas.
Julie
December 13, 2022
This guacamole looks so festive and perfect for taking to holiday parties!
Mariela Marrero
December 14, 2022
I love guacamole!!! This version sounds so delicious. I think that we can celebrate other cultures by giving recipes a personal twist. This is gorgeous Lee!!
Anonymous
December 7, 2022
What a great idea. I’ve been looking for apps for a holiday party. This is so much fresher and lighter then the classics.