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    My Colombian Recipes » This and That » Achiote Oil (aceite De Achiote)

    Achiote Oil (Aceite de Achiote)

    Dec 5, 2009 · Modified: Sep 1, 2013 by Erica Dinho · 31 Comments

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    AchiotePinAchiote is also known as annatto seed and is used to give a yellowish color to food. Some people use it instead of saffron as a food coloring. Achiote can be found in Latin supermarkets and in some American grocery stores.

    This spice is an important ingredient in Colombian cuisine. We use it to color our rice dishes, soups, stews and more.
    Achiote Oil 069Pin

    To make Achiote oil:

    Heat 1 cup of vegetable or olive oil and ½ cup Achiote seeds in a small skillet over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes. Don't let the seeds turn black. Remove the skillet from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes more. Strain the oil and store for up to 5 days at room temperature in a jar with a tight lid.

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    About Erica Dinho

    My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella

      December 05, 2009 at 10:15 am

      How clever making an oil with it! Thanks for telling us all about it 🙂

      Reply
    2. Barbara

      December 05, 2009 at 12:42 pm

      Love your informative post, Erica. I knew nothing about achiote-

      Reply
    3. Angie@Angie's Recipes

      December 05, 2009 at 1:25 pm

      Thank you so much for the information and the recipe! I had no clue what the achote is!

      Reply
    4. Jhonny Walker

      December 05, 2009 at 3:22 pm

      I just had a wrap with achiote grilled chicken and was wondering how good it is! And I come back and see your post 🙂 Wonderful 🙂

      Reply
    5. Kim

      December 05, 2009 at 3:22 pm

      I can see how this would make a lovely color to some rice or meat. It looks very pretty 😀

      Reply
    6. Muneeba

      December 05, 2009 at 3:45 pm

      Daisy (on the Food Network now) uses this all the time in her Latino recipes. I'm gonna try and hunt these down in my grocery store if I can.

      Reply
    7. Erica

      December 05, 2009 at 4:40 pm

      Thank you everyone for the comments!

      Reply
    8. Joan Nova

      December 05, 2009 at 5:39 pm

      I actually prefer achiote (like in Goya Sazon) but have used both achiote and saffron in a dish if I want an authentic Spanish touch.

      Reply
    9. Jane

      December 05, 2009 at 10:26 pm

      In December achiote is especially important as the coloring for the masa for Venezuelan hallacas.

      Reply
    10. Oysterculture

      December 05, 2009 at 10:56 pm

      I love achiote oil and use it frequently. Great reminder of a versatile ingredient.

      Reply
    11. Divina

      December 06, 2009 at 6:54 am

      Thanks Erica for this information. 😀

      Reply
    12. Devon

      December 06, 2009 at 9:38 am

      Erica, does achiote have a flavor at all or is it just a food coloring? What does it taste like?

      Reply
      • Erica

        December 06, 2009 at 10:09 am

        Devon- Annato has a special flavor. It is hard to describe, but it is delicious. Try it!

        Reply
      • RL

        November 08, 2021 at 12:11 am

        It has a great flavor! My favorite use for it is rice. Lightly toast a few pinches of whole seeds (maybe 2-3 teaspoons) in a dry pan, then add some plain oil like canola, and simmer on low for 5-10 minutes. Let it cool if you’re not in a hurry or strain right away. The oil will be DARK orange. Taste it! The flavor is kind of subtle I don’t know how to describe it. Now just make a pot of rice like normal and add a few teaspoons to the water. When it’s done the rice near the top will be too heavily colored and flavored, so mix it in and get nice orange rice with a great flavor. Don’t skimp on the salt (unless you have to for health reasons) - salt really brings out the flavor nicely.

        Reply
    13. Ivy

      December 06, 2009 at 10:31 am

      I am not aware of this spice. Thanks for the information. Please pass from my blog to collect your Award.

      Reply
      • Erica

        December 06, 2009 at 11:27 am

        Ivy-Thank you so much!

        Reply
    14. Joanne

      December 06, 2009 at 11:28 am

      I don't think I have ever cooked with this but thanks for all the info!

      Reply
    15. Soma

      December 15, 2009 at 9:38 pm

      Looks pretty! wondering if I will get these in the Mexican/Spanish grocery stores.

      Reply
      • Erica

        December 16, 2009 at 8:15 am

        Soma- You can fin achiote in Mexican stores.

        Reply
    16. Jackellyne

      May 15, 2010 at 11:22 pm

      I'm so happy to see all these dishes. They send me back to my childhood memories with my family and there wonderful cusine.

      Reply
    17. mlee

      July 21, 2010 at 9:33 pm

      For person that are cooking spanish food and are interested on using achiote there is good news, Now it comes in powder form, I love it and you save a lot of time . PR stores Mex also.

      Reply
    18. Berryblue

      October 30, 2010 at 4:39 pm

      Just make sure your strain the achote well and if you get severe headaches then it is cause by the achote and you should avoid cooking with it moving forward. Achote has properties in it that causes migraine headaches.

      Reply
    19. sare

      December 07, 2011 at 7:05 am

      Hi, We can't find this spice. I use turmeric powder and saffron to have colour for food. I'm interested in its taste. Thank you.

      Reply
    20. Amanda

      March 21, 2012 at 4:07 pm

      you can find it at some safeways

      Reply
    21. Neftali

      October 22, 2014 at 2:06 pm

      I can't find achiote seeds where I live, but I can find achiote powder. Is the recipe the same with powder ?

      Reply
      • Erica Dinho

        October 22, 2014 at 7:33 pm

        I didn't make the oil with powder,but you can try it!I use powder for other recipes.

        Reply
    22. lauren

      November 30, 2015 at 10:04 pm

      tying to make a couple of recipes for the holdays

      Reply
    23. Anonymous

      February 07, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Hello
      I cannot find Achiote where i live and i see its a main spice in a lot of recipes.
      Can i use a different spice that have the similar effect?
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Erica Dinho

        February 10, 2018 at 1:56 pm

        https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/homemade-powdered-seasoning/

        Reply
    24. Adi

      February 07, 2018 at 11:39 am

      Hello
      I cannot find Achiote where i live and i see its a main spice in a lot of recipes.
      Can i use a different spice that have the similar effect?
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Erica Dinho

        February 10, 2018 at 1:54 pm

        Achiote adds color and a different and wonderful taste to a dish. You can make this seasoning at home: https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/homemade-powdered-seasoning/

        Reply

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    Erica Dinho Author | My Colombian Recipes

    Hola and welcome to My Colombian Recipes. My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

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