Homemade Achiote Oil

If you are looking to add instant flavour to any recipe, begin with using this homemade Achiote Oil. This flavoured oil is commonly used in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. It gets its bright orange colour from achiote (aka annatto) seeds, and a nice savour flavour from the addition of garlic, cilantro, oregano, and onion.

I have been using this oil in all of my cooking lately, (Puerto Rican or other Latin American recipes) and especially in my recipe for Arroz con Gandules. It’s so simple and great to have on hand at home!

Annatto Seeds

Annatto seeds, also known as achiote seeds, are a small orange seed. They are grown across multiple continents in tropical and sub tropical regions. The largest producers are Brazil and Peru, but these seeds are also grown in Mexico, Kenya, and India as well. 

Annatto seeds are either sold as whole seeds, or ground into powder. This spice has a nice smoky flavour, but is typically used as a natural colouring agent or food dye for recipes, as it adds a deep orange colour to whatever it is added to.  

You can buy annatto seeds whole or ground in specialty spice stores or in many Latin American or Indian grocery stores. I picked up my annatto seeds from Granville Island Spice Co. on Granville Island in Vancouver.

How to Make Achiote Oil

 Making this homemade Achiote Oil couldn’t be simpler. This infused oil only requires a few ingredients and takes about 20 minutes to make in total. Here’s how to do it:

• Heat neutral oil (such as vegetable oil or peanut oil) in a small pan
• Add annatto seeds and watch the oil turn orange
• Add garlic, onion, cilantro, and oregano to add an extra savoury layer of flavour
• Simmer for 5 minutes
• Cool for 15 minutes then strain and store the oil in a clean jar

It is important to not let the annatto seeds sit in the oil for a long time, or to make the oil super hot as this will bring out a bitter flavour from the seeds. Also, since the annatto seeds are so pigmented, it’s a good idea to store the infused oil in a glass jar to avoid staining. 

Get the Recipe: Homemade Achiote Oil

Homemade Achiote Oil

Melissa

If you are looking to add instant flavour to any recipe, begin with using this homemade Achiote Oil. This flavoured oil is commonly used in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. It gets its bright orange colour from achiote (aka annatto) seeds and is savoury with the addition of onion, garlic, oregano and cilantro.

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Sauces and Marinades

Cuisine Latin American, Mexican, Puerto Rican

Servings 2 cups

Calories 1923 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups peanut oil or substitute vegetable oil or avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon annatto seeds whole
• 5 cloves garlic peeled, halved
• 3 sprigs fresh cilantro
• 1 sprig fresh oregano
• 1- inch piece of white onion

Instructions

 

• Add the peanut oil to a small pan or pot and heat over medium-high heat. Test the oil to see if it is hot enough by adding a garlic clove to the oil. If it simmers gently, the oil is ready. If it sinks and doesn’t bubble, wait a few more minutes for the oil to heat up more. Conversely, if the garlic clove simmers too fast or the oil is smoking, remove from the heat and let cool a bit to avoid burning the ingredients.
• Add the annatto seeds, garlic, cilantro, oregano and onion to the oil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. The oil should be gently bubbling around the ingredients.
• After 5 minutes, remove from the heat and let cool completely. Then strain the seeds and other ingredients, and carefully pour the oil into glass jars for storage. Store at room temperature and use within 2 months for the best flavour.

Notes

• Store at room temperature and use within 2 months for the best flavour.

Nutrition

Calories: 1923kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 216gSaturated Fat: 37gPolyunsaturated Fat: 69gMonounsaturated Fat: 100gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 54mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 212IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 0.4mg

Keyword achiote oil, annatto seed oil, puerto rican recipes

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!