Tikin Xic (Yucatecan Achiote Grilled Fish)
Fish fillets painted with a tangy red annatto and orange marinade, grilled and served with green rice and habanero salsa.
Made with Habanero salsa and Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Cilantro lime rice. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min + marinating
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.35 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the annatto, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt and olive oil into a loose red paste.
- 2
Pat the fish dry. Slash the skin twice and rub the paste over both sides. Cover and chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour, no longer.
- 3
Heat a griddle pan, barbecue or grill to high. Lightly oil the bars. If using banana leaf, pass it briefly over a flame to soften, then wrap the fish and tie.
- 4
Cook the fish skin side down for 4 minutes, then turn and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily. Wrapped fish takes about 12 minutes in total.
7 min - 5
Warm the cilantro lime rice from your base recipe in a covered pan with a splash of water until steaming hot.
- 6
Serve the fish on the rice with pickled red onions and a small spoon of your ready made habanero salsa (see the base recipe) on the side.
Tips
- Annatto stains. Wear an apron and soak the board straight after use.
- Do not marinate fish for long, as the citrus will start to firm and cook the flesh.
- Sea bream, red snapper or monkfish also work.
Storing and freezing
Keep cooked fish covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Eat cold in a salad, or reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. Reheat rice only once.
Questions
Where do I find achiote?
Annatto seeds or ground annatto are in the world foods aisle or online. Some shops sell achiote paste, but check the label if you need gluten free.
Is tikin xic spicy?
The fish itself is mild. The heat comes from the habanero salsa served beside it, so you control how much to add.
Can I bake the fish instead?
Yes. Wrap the fish in foil or banana leaf and bake at {t200} for 15 to 18 minutes until flaking.
More made with habanero salsa
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.