Annatto Oil / Achiote Oil (Dau Mau Dieu)

This easy recipe for Annatto Oil / Achiote Oil (Dau Mau Dieu) is one every home cook should learn. Annatto Oil is an essential ingredient in many Asian and Latin dishes. Mild tasting and fragrant, the infused oil adds vibrant orange-red color to foods. Unlike chemical food colors and dyes, Annatto Oil is all-natural. The pebble-like Annatto seeds impart a beautiful ruby color when cooked in hot oil. This recipe is easy-peasy so make a batch today and try it out in some of your favorite dishes. Any dish where vegetable oil is used can be substituted with Annatto Oil. Think stir-fries, soups, stews, sauces and pasta dishes. In upcoming posts, I’ll share more recipes using Annatto Oil like this one for Toasted Shrimp Flakes (Tom Chay).
Annatto Seeds (Hot Dieu) - Beautiful seeds from the Annatto plant | recipe from runawayrice.com

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Notes on the Annatto Oil / Achiote Oil (Dau Mau Dieu) Recipe, Tips and Tricks

Use a mild vegetable oil for this recipe. I like soybean, corn or canola. I’ve tried it with olive oil but find the strong aroma of the olive oil over-powers the annatto seeds.

The more annatto seeds you use the deeper the red color and the more intense the flavor and aroma. My rule of thumb is 1 tsp annatto seeds per 1 Tbsp vegetable oil. If you’re not sure you’ll need all the Annatto Oil per this recipe, just make a little bit using this ratio.

Do not let the oil get too hot or the annatto seeds will burn. Burnt annatto seeds will make the oil bitter. You’ll know when the seeds are burnt because they will turn a dark-brown or black.

Annatto Oil /Achiote Oil (Dau Mau Dieu) - 5 Minute Recipe | recipe from runawayrice.com

Be careful during cooking as the seeds and oil will stain porous materials. The infused oil will stain wooden utensils, chopsticks, etc. Don’t use your nice kitchen towels to clean up any spills and avoid getting it on your clothes.

Store any remaining amounts in an air-tight jar and put in the refrigerator. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month. Storing longer may cause the oil to become bitter.

Watch the video for instructions.

 

 

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Annatto Oil / Achiote Oil / Dau Mau Dieu

Annatto Oil /Achiote Oil (Dau Mau Dieu) - Staple Ingredient in Many Asian and Latin dishes | recipe from runawayrice.com

Ingredients

1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 tsp annatto seeds

Directions

Stove-Top Method

Put the annatto seeds into a small strainer and then rinse with cold water. Drain well. Transfer to a paper towel and then spread out the seeds. Blot the seeds dry with another paper towel. Spread out the seeds and let air dry for 15-20 minutes.

Transfer the annatto seeds into a small saucepan. Add the vegetable oil. Heat over Medium heat while stirring together. The oil should start to bubble in about 1 1/2 minutes. Continue stirring and note the oil turning more red. If the seeds start to pop or the oil splatters, reduce the heat to Low. After cooking for 2 minutes, turn off the heat. Continue stirring and cook using the residual heat for another 2 minutes.  Remove from the stove and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Microwave Method

In a medium bowl, add the annatto seeds and oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place into the microwave. Cook on High power for 1 1/2 minutes.

Stir together. Return to the microwave and cook on High power for another 1 minute. Stir together again.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Storing the Annatto Oil

Strain the oil into a small glass jar. Stir the seeds to extract any remaining oil. Discard the seeds.

Add the Annatto Oil to soups, stews, sauces or any dish needing a natural orange or red color.

Yields: 1/4 cup

Tools I Love and Use in My Kitchen


 
Annatto / Achiote Seeds (Hot Dieu) - a natural way to add orange-red color to your favorite foods | recipe from runawayrice.com
 

 

 

Annatto Oil / Achiote Oil (Dau Mau Dieu) - infused oil with a vibrant orange-red color | recipe from runawayrice.com
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Annatto Oil / Achiote Oil / Dau Mau Dieu

Course: Ingredient, Sauce
Cuisine: International, Vietnamese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 80 kcal
Author: Trang

This easy recipe for Annatto Oil is one every home cook should learn. Annatto Oil is an essential ingredient in many Asian and Latin dishes. Mild tasting and fragrant, the infused oil adds vibrant orange-red color to foods. Unlike chemical food colors and dyes, Annatto Oil is all-natural. The pebble-like Annatto seeds impart a beautiful ruby color when cooked in hot oil. This recipe is easy-peasy so make a batch today and try it out in some of your favorite dishes!

Ingredients

Instructions

Stove-Top Method

  1. Put the annatto seeds into a small strainer and then rinse with cold water. Drain well. Transfer to a paper towel and then spread out the seeds. Blot the seeds dry with another paper towel. Spread out the seeds and let air dry for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Transfer the annatto seeds into a small saucepan. Add the vegetable oil. Heat over Medium heat while stirring together. The oil should start to bubble in about 1 1/2 minutes. Continue stirring and note the oil turning more red. If the seeds start to pop or the oil splatters, reduce the heat to Low. After cooking for 2 minutes, turn off the heat. Continue stirring and cook using the residual heat for another 2 minutes. 

  3. Remove from the stove and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Microwave Method

  1. In a medium bowl, add the annatto seeds and oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place into the microwave. Cook on High power for 1 1/2 minutes.
  2. Stir together. Return to the microwave and cook on High power for another 1 minute. Stir together again.
  3. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Storing and Using the Annatto Oil

  1. Strain the oil into a small glass jar. Stir the seeds to extract any remaining oil. Discard the seeds.
  2. Add the Annatto Oil to soups, stews, sauces, pastas or any dish needing a natural orange or red color.

Recipe Video

Notes, Tips & Tricks

  • Use a mild vegetable oil for this recipe. I like soybean, corn or canola.
  • The more annatto seeds you use the deeper the red color and the more intense the flavor and aroma. My rule of thumb is 1 tsp annatto seeds per 1 Tbsp vegetable oil. If you're not sure you'll need all the Annatto Oil per this recipe, just make a little bit using this ratio.
  • Do not to let the oil get too hot or the annatto seeds will burn. Burnt annatto seeds will make the oil bitter. You'll know when the seeds are burnt because they will turn a dark-brown or black.
  • Be careful during cooking as the seeds and oil will stain porous materials. The infused oil will stain wooden utensils, chopsticks, etc. Don't use your nice kitchen towels to clean up any spills and avoid getting it on your clothes.

 

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10 Responses to Annatto Oil / Achiote Oil (Dau Mau Dieu)

  1. SueT April 20, 2020 at 12:00 pm #

    Can I use this to color bbq pork (char sui) ?

    • Trang June 28, 2021 at 3:13 pm #

      Yes, it would add lovely color.

  2. Felipina August 27, 2019 at 5:27 pm #

    Can I use Annatto powder instead. Thanks

    Felipina

    • Trang September 9, 2019 at 4:46 pm #

      Hi Felipina,
      Sorry annatto powder doesn’t work in this recipe as you only need the essence rather than entire annatto.

  3. Vi July 28, 2017 at 7:15 pm #

    Wow, the oil color looks perfectly deep red. What is the highest temperature at a given time? I either burn it, or not get enough out from the seed because I afraid of burning it again.

    • Trang July 30, 2017 at 9:05 am #

      Hi Vi,
      When the oil first starts to bubble it is around 225 degrees F. Keep it under 300 degrees to prevent the seeds from burning. Good Luck!

    • Vi August 2, 2017 at 2:12 pm #

      Thank you for the oil temperature. I put the candy thermometer in the pot of oil and annatto seeds, and this is science cooking with confidence!

      • Trang August 10, 2017 at 5:13 pm #

        Glad to hear it worked out well for you!

  4. Vina July 28, 2017 at 4:55 pm #

    Hi Trang, OMG! I had no idea you can make Annatto Oil in the microwave. It’s so easy…and less cooking utensils to clean. I’ve never washed the seeds before, now I think I better since they always seem dusty. Thanks so much for sharing!

    • Trang July 28, 2017 at 4:58 pm #

      Hi Vina,
      I am glad you like my microwave method. It’s super easy, especially if you need just a small amount of Annatto Oil. LOL…I rinse everything…it’s an extra step but I feel better about it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

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