Achiote (Annatto) Paste

By
Chelsie Kenyon
Chelsie Kenyon
Chelsie Kenyon, author of "Knack Mexican Cooking," is a former freelance writer and recipe developer with more than 10 years' experience in Mexican cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/4/22
Tested by
Diana Andrews
Diana Andrews
Tested by Diana Andrews
Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for the Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer and product tester at Food Network. 
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Achiote paste (annatto) recipe in a small brown bowl on a tiled surface

The Spruce Eats / Andrew Bui

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 15 mins
Yield: 2/3 cup
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
119 Calories
2g Fat
26g Carbs
3g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories 119
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1270mg 55%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 68mg 340%
Calcium 176mg 14%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 495mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Achiote paste is a popular coloring and flavoring in Central American, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisines and is made with annatto seeds, cumin, pepper, coriander, oregano, cloves, and garlic. It adds an earthy, somewhat sweet and spicy, slightly smokey flavor and can be used as a sauce, marinade, or rub for meat, chicken, and fish. Although it is simple to purchase pre-made achiote paste (which needs to be diluted with water or broth in order to be used for cooking), homemade achiote paste has a much better flavor and is worth the effort. You will need a spice mill and blender; the paste will last a month stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Click Play to Learn How to Make the Popular Achiote Paste

The star ingredient, annatto seeds, are known in Mexico as achiote (pronounced ah-chee-oh-tah), and come from a tree thought to have originated in tropical South America. They have been used for centuries by people in Central and South America and the Caribbean to give a yellowish or bright red color to human skin (as in body paint), cloth, and edibles.

"Fresh, homemade condiments are always the best type to use in your kitchen. Here, achiote paste is easy to make and boasts full, rich, bold, tangy flavor and color, which will enhance and compliment any food." —Diana Andrews

Achiote paste (annato) on a white plate
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup annatto seeds

  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

  • 2 whole cloves

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 5 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped

  • 1/2 cup bitter orange juice (or 1/4 cup orange juice plus 1/4 cup Mexican lime juice or 1/3 cup white vinegar)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients gathered for achiote paste

    The Spruce Eats / Andrew Bui

  2. Grind the annatto, coriander seeds, oregano, cumin seeds, peppercorns, and cloves in a spice mill or with a mortar and pestle.

    Spices and herbs ground together in a grey mortar for annato paste

    The Spruce Eats / Andrew Bui

  3. Place the ground spices with the salt, garlic, and bitter orange juice in a blender and process until it is smooth.

    Ground spices with salt and orange juice in a blender for achiote paste

    The Spruce Eats / Andrew Bui

  4. Store your achiote paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use as instructed in your recipe.

    Achiote paste in a glass jar with the lid off and next to a brown bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Andrew Bui

How to Use Achiote Paste

To use your homemade achiote paste, rub the mixture onto chicken, pork, or fish and let it sit for 4 to 6 hours. You can also dilute it with water, broth, citrus juice, Worcestershire sauce, or vinegar and use it as a marinade. Cook or grill as usual. The paste can also be added to empanada and tamale dough for color and flavor.

Tips

  • If you don't have a spice grinder, you can use an old coffee grinder. Make sure you don't plan on using the grinder for coffee as the seasoning flavor will be left behind.
  • Bitter orange juice can be found in the international food section of the grocery store or Latin food markets. Common brands are Goya and Badia (labeled as "sour orange").

Is Achiote Paste the Same as Sazon Seasoning?

Although both Latin seasonings share similar ingredients, Sazon and achiote paste are different. Sazon is a powder and is sprinkled into recipes to add a boost of flavor while achiote paste gets its texture from the bitter orange juice. Sazon also includes cilantro while achiote paste calls for cloves, creating separate flavor profiles.