Quick Achiote (Annatto) Paste
Quick Achiote (Annatto) Paste
This quick DIY Achiote Paste is an easy way to add flavor and color to your favorite meat marinades, rice dishes, stews and more. Made with a blend of annatto seeds, whole spices, vinegar and fresh citrus, it’s a powerful secret weapon to keep in the fridge and use to spice up your life!

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 cup whole annatto seeds
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp peppercorns
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar

DIRECTIONS

  1. Grind the whole spices. In a mortar & pestle, food processor or spice grinder grind the annatto seeds, coriander, oregano, cumin seeds, peppercorns, and cloves until a semi-fine powder forms. 
  2. Blend with remaining ingredients. Combine the ground spices with the salt, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and vinegar in a food processor and process until a paste forms. Add more orange juice and/or vinegar if you’d like a wetter/thinner consistency. See notes for storage instructions.

 

Author, educator, musician, dancer and all around creative type. Founder of "The Happy Now" website and the online jewelry store "Silver and Sage".