Achiote Paste

Transform your dishes with the bold and vibrant flavors of homemade achiote paste, a cornerstone of authentic Mexican and Latin American cuisine. This richly aromatic paste is crafted with toasted annatto seeds, warm spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, and zesty notes of garlic, orange juice, and apple cider vinegar. Achieving its signature deep red hue and earthy depth, it blends together beautifully into a smooth, versatile condiment perfect for marinating meats, adding depth to stews, or creating mouthwatering tacos and tamales. Quick to prepare in just 15 minutes, this achiote paste recipe is a must-have for anyone seeking to bring traditional flavors to their kitchen. Store it in your fridge for two weeks or freeze it for easy, flavor-packed meals anytime!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons Annatto seeds (achiote)
• 2 teaspoons Dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
• 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 4 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Orange juice
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the annatto seeds for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are aromatic. Be careful not to burn them.

Step 2

Transfer the toasted annatto seeds to a spice grinder or blender and grind them into a fine powder.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine the powdered annatto seeds, oregano, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves.

Step 4

In a food processor or blender, add the minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, salt, and olive oil.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry spice mixture to the wet ingredients in the food processor or blender and blend until a thick, smooth paste forms. If the mixture is too thick, you can add small amounts of olive oil or water, one teaspoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.

Step 6

Taste the paste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or vinegar if needed.

Step 7

Transfer the achiote paste to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Alternatively, freeze it for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	168 grams (168.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	345

Total Fat 29.90g	38%
Saturated Fat 4.50g	23%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4736mg	206%
Total Carbohydrate 16.10g	6%
Dietary Fiber 5.20g	19%
Total Sugars 2.80g
Protein 2.90g	6%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 126mg	10%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 266mg	6%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 78.0%

Protein: 3.4%

Carbs: 18.7%