Spices & seasonings · Spice blends

Achiote paste

Brick-red Yucatán paste of ground annatto, spices and citrus, rubbed on meat for cochinita pibil.

Also called: recado rojo, annatto paste, achiote, pasta de achiote, red recado

Around the world: recado rojo, pasta de achiote (es)

8 recipes with it

Make it yourself: Recado rojo (Yucatecan achiote paste)

What it is

Achiote paste (recado rojo) is a firm red block made from ground annatto seeds with spices such as oregano, cumin, pepper and garlic, and vinegar or bitter orange. Dissolved in citrus juice it becomes a marinade that colours and flavours meat earthy-tangy.

How it’s used

Cochinita pibil and pollo pibil
Tacos al pastor marinades
Grilled fish (tikin xic)
Seasoning rice and stews

Characteristics

Taste: Earthy, tangy, peppery.
Sold as: paste
Cooking uses: Mainly a seasoning, Suitable for grilling
Common in: Mexican, Central American, Guatemalan, Belizean

Storage

Refrigerated. Wrap tightly after opening and keep in the fridge; it keeps for a long time.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Caffeine-free

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy: 282 kcal
Protein: 14.14 g
Carbohydrate: 53.99 g
Fat: 12.89 g
Fibre: 34.9 g
Sugars: 10.34 g

USDA FoodData Central: Spices, paprika (a close stand-in).

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic and vinegar — Mix to a paste for colour and similar seasoning; flavour differs.

Related ingredients

Recipes with achiote paste

Belizean rice and beans with stew chicken
Belizean · 1 h 25 min · 844 kcal
Cochinita pibil
Mexican · 4 h 20 min · 675 kcal
Costa Rican arroz con pollo
Costa Rican · 1 h 15 min · 535 kcal
Indio viejo
Nicaraguan · 2 h 20 min · 370 kcal
Kak'ik
Guatemalan · 2 h · 292 kcal
Nacatamal
Nicaraguan · 5 h 30 min · 779 kcal
Pepián de pollo
Guatemalan · 1 h 45 min · 712 kcal
Tacos al pastor
Mexican · 2 h 45 min · 656 kcal

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