How to Make Achiote Paste from Scratch

Spice up dishes with this homemade paste rich in earthy, sweet, and spicy flavors

By
Chelsie Kenyon
Chelsie Kenyon
Chelsie Kenyon, author of "Knack Mexican Cooking," is a former writer and recipe developer with more than 10 years of experience in Mexican cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/17/25
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
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 15 mins
Yield: 2/3 cup

Achiote paste is a popular coloring and flavoring in Central American, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisines, made with annatto seeds, cumin, pepper, coriander, oregano, cloves, and garlic. It adds an earthy, somewhat sweet and spicy, slightly smoky flavor and can be used as a sauce, marinade, or rub for meat, chicken, and fish. While pre-made achiote paste is easy to purchase and needs to be diluted with water or broth for cooking, homemade achiote paste offers a far superior flavor and is worth the effort. You'll need a spice mill and blender to achieve the desired consistency.

Achiote paste (annatto) recipe in a small brown bowl on a tiled surface

The Spruce Eats / Andrew Bui

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

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.

Tips for Making Achiote Paste

  • No spice grinder, no problem -  If you don't have a spice grinder, you can use an old coffee grinder. Just ensure you don't plan on using the grinder for coffee afterward, as the seasoning flavor will linger.
  • Where to find bitter orange juice - You can find bitter orange juice in the international food section of your grocery store or at Latin food markets. Common brands include Goya and Badia, often labeled as "sour orange."
What You'll Need to Make this Achiote Paste
Cole & Mason 5-inch Granite Mortar & Pestle
A Heavy Mortar and Pestle
Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender
A Zippy Blender
GIr-ultimate-spatula
A Good Spatula

"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 complement any food." —Diana Andrews

Achiote paste (annato) on a white plate
A Note From Our Recipe Tester
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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 1/4 cup annatto seeds, 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, and 2 whole 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 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 5 cloves garlic, and 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) 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 Store Achiote Paste

The paste will last a month stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • To use your homemade achiote paste - Rub the mixture onto chicken, pork, or fish and let it sit for 4 to 6 hours.
  • Use as a marinade - 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.
  • Use it in empanadas or tamales - The paste can also be added to empanada and tamale dough for color and flavor.