Achiote Citrus Marinade for Beef
A vibrant, tangy marinade with achiote paste, garlic, and spices, perfect for tenderizing and flavoring any cut of beef.
- Prep10 min
- Cook20 min
- Total30 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Servings4
This marinade brings the bold, earthy flavors of achiote paste together with bright vinegar and warm spices. It's a simple, versatile blend that works beautifully on steaks, roasts, or any cut you plan to grill or pan-sear.
Achiote paste is available in most supermarkets, usually in the international or Latin foods aisle. Once you've mixed the marinade, it keeps well in the fridge, so you can prepare it ahead and have it ready whenever you need it.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- Collect all your ingredients.
- In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, water, garlic, cumin, achiote paste, red pepper, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Transfer the marinade to an airtight glass or plastic container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- To use, place your beef in a resealable plastic bag, pour the marinade over it, seal the bag, and refrigerate for 6 to 24 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate.
💡 Tips
- If you can't find achiote paste, you can substitute with a mix of annatto powder and a little vinegar to form a paste.
- For best results, turn the bag occasionally during marinating to ensure even coating.
- This marinade also works well on chicken or pork, but adjust marinating time to 2-4 hours.
Inspired by a recipe from The Spruce Eats