Achiote Paste Substitute 

If your recipe calls for Achiote Paste but you can’t find it, try one of these easy alternatives that bring the same vibrant color and earthy taste to your dishes!

These Achiote Paste substitutes are as practical as Gochujang and Chili Oil alternatives. They're easy to find in your pantry or at the store and have a longer shelf life, ensuring they're always available when you need them.

Achiote paste isn’t a common ingredient unless you love Mexican cuisine and want your dishes to be vibrant and spicy. Its shelf life is only about 3-4 months, and it can spoil quickly if not refrigerated. I often find that after using it just once or twice, it’s gone bad by the time I need it again. 

But enough of that sad story! Let’s explore some easily accessible substitutes for achiote paste. These alternatives have a longer shelf life, are easy to store, and offer a similar taste profile. Let’s dive in! 

When looking for an Achiote Paste Substitute, remember it’s mainly used for its vibrant color rather than its flavor, which is usually mild unless used in large amounts. Any alternative that provides a bright red-orange hue without significantly changing the taste of the dish can serve as a good substitute for achiote paste.

What is Achiote Paste? 

Achiote Paste is a red seasoning mix made from crushed Annatto Seeds and spices like garlic, cumin, and oregano. It adds an earthy, slightly sweet, and peppery flavor to food. People use it to marinate, flavor stews, or give dishes a bright red-orange color. It’s popular in Mexican and Latin American cooking, and makes dishes look and taste richer.

Achiote Paste Substitute 

Here are some substitute for achiote paste that offer a similar color and flavor:

Annatto Powder

Annatto Powder, made from ground annatto seeds, is a great alternative to achiote paste. It gives the same bold color and subtle earthy flavor. To make a paste, simply mix the powder with white vinegar. For stews, you can skip the vinegar and use the powder as is.  

Since achiote paste is more concentrated, use 2 tsp of powder for every 1 tsp of achiote paste called for in the recipe. Achiote powder is one of the best substitutes for achiote paste. It works in almost any recipe and closely mimics thecolor, taste and flavor of the paste. 

Annatto Oil 

Annatto Oil is made by heating annatto seeds in oil, which gives the oil a vibrant red-orange color and a mild, earthy flavor. It’s a great substitute for achiote paste, adding both color and flavor to your dishes. When using annatto oil, you can replace other oils in the recipe, as it works as both a seasoning and cooking oil, giving your dish the same rich taste. Annatto Oil works as a great achiote paste alternate in stir fries and marinades.  

Sazon Goya 

Sazon Goya is an all-purpose seasoning blend made from salt, annatto seeds, coriander, and sometimes oregano. It comes in small, single-use sachets, which makes it convenient for long-term pantry storage. There are different varieties available, including low-sodium or salt-free options. Be sure to choose one with annatto seeds if you're using it as an achiote paste substitute.  

For substitution, use a 1:2 ratio—if your recipe calls for 1 tsp of achiote paste, use 2 tsp of Sazon Goya. You can mix it with vinegar, water, or oil to create a paste for marinades. Sazon Goya works perfectly as a substitute in soups, stews, marinades, curries, and stir-fries! 

Mexican Fiesta Seasoning 

Another great all-purpose seasoning is Mexican Fiesta Seasoning. I found it a good alternative to achiote paste. This mix contains annatto seeds, chili peppers, dehydrated garlic, onion, and salt, adding a vibrant Mexican flavor to your dishes. I love using it in tacos, stews, rice, and curries.  

This seasoning mix will slightly alter the flavor profile of your dish due to the additional ingredients. Be mindful of the salt content, as you may need to reduce the salt in your recipe. Since the amount of annatto seeds in this mix is low, use a 3:1 substitution ratio. If your recipe calls for 1 tsp of achiote paste, replace it with 3 tsp of this seasoning. 

Smoked Paprika 

Smoked Paprika is a great substitute for achiote paste. It offers a similar earthy flavor with a smoky twist. To use smoked paprika as a substitute, keep in mind that it doesn’t have the same color intensity.  

For every 1 tablespoon of achiote paste, use about 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika. This spice works well in marinades, stews, and sauces, adding a delightful flavor to your dishes. 

Kashmiri Mirch   

Kashmiri Mirch is another excellent substitute for achiote paste. It is a type of red chili powder known for its vibrant color and mild heat. While it lacks the earthy flavor of achiote, it provides a similar rich red hue to dishes.  

To use Kashmiri Mirch as a substitute, mix it with a bit of oil or vinegar to create a paste-like consistency. For every 1 tablespoon of achiote paste, you can use about 1 tablespoon of Kashmiri Mirch. It works well in marinades, sauces, stews, curries, rice and soups adding a beautiful color to your dishes. 

Saffron 

Saffron can be used as a substitute for achiote paste, though its floral and slightly sweet taste, along with its golden-yellow color, differs from achiote. It's also quite expensive, making it less ideal as an alternative. If you do use saffron, steep a few strands in warm water or broth to release its color and flavor before adding it to your dish. Since saffron is potent, use a pinch for every tablespoon of achiote paste, achieving a similar color but a different, unique flavor. 

Turmeric Powder  

Turmeric is a good substitute for achiote paste when you're looking for color rather than exact flavor. It provides a bright yellow hue similar to achiote’s red-orange color, but its earthy, slightly bitter flavor is different. You can also mix equal amount of paprika to get that red color and some smokey flavor hints. 

Keep in mind that turmeric is stronger in taste, so use it sparingly. For every tablespoon of achiote paste, start with ½ teaspoon of turmeric to avoid overpowering the dish, especially in soups, stews, or marinades.  

Tomato Paste 

Tomato Paste can be used as a substitute for achiote paste when you're mainly looking for color. It provides a deep red hue, though the flavor is quite different, offering a rich, slightly sweet, and tangy taste. 

To substitute use it in equal amount, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste for 1 tablespoon of achiote paste. Keep in mind that it will change the flavor of your dish but can still work well in stews, marinades, and sauces. 

DIY Achiote Paste 

If you're looking for the same flavor and color profile without using any alternative ingredients, you can make fresh achiote paste at home. However, you'll need Annatto seeds to replicate the authentic achiote paste. Here's a simple recipe to create your homemade achiote paste, perfect as a substitute for store-bought versions. You'll enjoy the vibrant color and flavor, all made from scratch! 

Harissa 

Harissa Paste flavor profile is very different from achiote paste, but it provides a similar vibrant color. Use it as a substitute only if you're open to experimenting with flavors, as harissa adds a bold, smoky, and spicy kick. Keep in mind that its spice level is much higher, so adjust accordingly if you don't want too much heat in your dish.  

If your recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of achiote paste, use ½ tablespoon of harissa as a substitute. This will help manage the spice level while still providing a similar color. Adjust further based on your spice tolerance.