This delicious and powerful seasoning blend contains a wonderful mix of herbs and spices that will transport you directly to the Caribbean island. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is an essential pantry staple and is extremely versatile, going on everything from fish and chicken to beef and pasta.
Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is a versatile condiment that everyone should have on hand. It takes any dish to the next level of deliciousness. It has a great Caribbean vibe, but it easily crosses cultural boundaries. Try sprinkling it on a pasta dish and you’ll see what I mean.
Plus, if you love grilling, this is a must-have: When peak barbecue season hits, I make double the batch of homemade jerk seasoning.
Literally any protein or veggie you grill will go from boring to delicious, you’ll want to eat it again and again with a generous sprinkling of this addictive stuff. Be warned! 😜
Why Make Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?
Homemade spice blends are the best – you can customize them to your taste and make them diet and kid friendly.
Homemade seasoning not only tastes so much better, but it’s also super cost-effective. Using homemade seasoning can save you loads of money. No need to buy the fancy pre-made jerk seasoning from the supermarket. Homemade seasoning tastes amazing! 🙌
What you need
Homemade jerk seasoning has a long list of ingredients, but don’t be intimidated. These are mostly pantry staples that you probably already have at home, with very few exceptions. With such a large blend, don’t worry if you’re missing one or two ingredients; it will still taste amazing.
- Aromatic compounds – You will need onion and garlic powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg, which will add aroma, flavour and a nice kick to the mix.
- seasoning – Thyme, white pepper, and smoked paprika add a subtle minty flavor and earthy notes that work well in savory dishes. If you don’t have smoked paprika and don’t mind a little heat, substitute with ground chipotle.
- sweetness – Coconut sugar adds sweetness to the mix, but you can also use brown sugar instead.
- Flavor enhancers – Bouillon powder is also a must, but it’s up to you whether you use the chicken or veggie variety.
- heat – Finally, add some chili powder to spice things up. Use your favorite hot seasoning, like red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or regular chili powder.
Pro Tip: I also like to add homemade dried scallion flakes. Chop a few scallions and dry them for 2-3 days during the dry summer months (or in a low oven for a few hours). Store in an airtight container and use as a garnish or to flavor any dish.
How to Make the Best Jerk Seasoning
Combine ingredients in a medium bowl and store Jamaican jerk seasoning in an airtight container. Easy, right?
Recipe Variations
- Make it mildIf you don’t like spicy food like me, feel free to omit the chili powder, or adjust the spiciness to your liking.
- Add your favorite flavorsSome people like to add bay leaves, black pepper, cumin, turmeric, and other spices, and you can do the same. Homemade seasonings are best made to your liking.
- Make it a sourceThis seasoning blend can easily be made into a sauce by adding 1/4 cup of pineapple juice with a dash of dry seasoning. Add a little soy sauce and a dash of cooking oil and use as a marinade for meats and vegetables (this is also a great technique for grilling).
FAQ
Hot peppers (usually Scotch bonnet), thyme, and allspice give this condiment its traditional Caribbean flavor that is unique to jerk seasoning. You can add whatever you like without compromising the essence of jerk seasoning.
Jerky comes from the Quechua word SharqiA dry, preserved meat, named after the spice mix used to slow roast the meat over a smoky fire, this fusion of Amerindian and African cultures is a wonderful combination.
No, Cajun seasoning is primarily herbs and peppers. Jerk seasoning includes spices like allspice, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg, which are not included in the Cajun mix.
How to use and store
Jerk seasoning is commonly used on chicken and pork, but it actually works great on any meat or fish. Use it in place of Cajun or black seasoning to elevate any meal. Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings This is one of my favourite recipes. Caribbean Jerk BBQ Ribs It’s a must-have at any barbecue, and the leftovers are mouthwateringly delicious. Jerk Tacos.🤤
I store my jerk seasoning in a sealed glass jar in my spice rack, and it lasts me a couple of years if I don’t use it all up within that time.
Easy recipes to try
- Creole Cajun Seasoning
- Black Seasoning
- Za’atar Seasoning
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning
See how it’s made
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This blog post was originally published in April 2015 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos and videos.
