Homemade Achiote Paste is perfect for adding flavor to a number of Mexican dishes and its SO easy to make at home. Made from annato seeds, fresh garlic, citrus juice and lots of seasonings, this paste is anything but bland.
If youve never cooked with achiote paste, youre in for a wonderful discovery of flavor that just may open up a whole new world of cooking. It is huge on flavor, unlike anything else youve ever tried.
You can purchase achiote paste from the store, sure, but it is so much better when made at home, as you can use fresher ingredients and control everything that goes into it. I like to make mine with habanero pepper for an extra spicy version, though you can make yours with milder or hotter peppers.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Pick the right pepper. Use a jalapeno for a touch of heat, serrano peppers for hotter, or habanero pepper for good level of heat. I love habanero with this.
- Add more ingredients. You can add other ingredients to your preference. Other popular additions include bay leaf, cloves, lime zest and orange zest. Add a splash of hot sauce!
- Make your own orange juice. Bitter orange juice is traditional, but can be difficult to find for some cooks. If you cant obtain it, use 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice + 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice + 2 tablespoons white vinegar.
Ingredients in Achiote Paste
- Annatto seeds achiote
- Mexican oregano (or use Italian oregano)
- Coriander seeds
- Cumin seeds
- Black peppercorns
- Clove (use 2 if you love cloves)
- Salt
- Chili pepper
- Garlic
- Bitter orange juice
Homemade Achiote Paste Recipe
FAQ
What is achiote made of?
Is achiote sauce spicy?
Does achiote have a taste?
Is achiote similar to paprika?
What does achiote paste taste like?
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.
What is achiote & how is it made?
Achiote is a paste that is made using the seeds of the Bixa orellana tree. While the seeds are used in Mexican cuisine as well, the paste like condiment is the more known form of the edible across the globe.
What is homemade achiote paste?
Homemade Achiote Paste is perfect for adding flavor to a number of Mexican dishes and it’s SO easy to make at home. Made from annato seeds, fresh garlic, citrus juice and lots of seasonings, this paste is anything but bland.
What is achiote Spice?
Uses, History And More Achiote, also known as annatto, is a bright red-orange spice derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, which is native to Latin America and the Caribbean. For centuries, achiote has been an essential ingredient in Latin American cuisine, prized for its distinct flavor, vibrant color, and versatile applications.