Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe

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Bring the flavors of Jamaica right into your own kitchen with this boldly flavorful and fiery homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning recipe! From street food stalls in Kingston Jamaica to high-end restaurants in New York, this unique blend of flavors has captivated the world. Get ready to transport your taste buds straight to the Caribbean!

What is Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?

Like jerk sauce and jerk chicken, Jamaican jerk seasoning is a cornerstone of Jamaican cuisine, with its fiery burst of bold flavors. Jerk seasoning traces its origins to the 17th where the enslaved Africans escaped to the mountains of Jamaica and there, with the influence of the local Tainos people, developed a method of slow-cooking over pimento wood which became known as “jerk cooking” along with a blend of native spices and herbs that we’ve come to know as jerk seasoning. This group later became known as the Jamaican Maroons and their unique cuisine and bold and spicy hot flavors have since become popular throughout the world. Let’s take a look at what goes into this homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning recipe.

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Ingredients

Jamaican jerk seasoning is a carefully crafted blend that balances heat, sweetness, umami and earthiness. Making your homemade jerk seasoning is simple and allows for customization based on your spice tolerance. While recipes vary and there is no “one” right way to make it, there are essential ingredients that any Jamaican jerk seasoning should include:

• Allspice: A warm, slightly sweet spice that forms the backbone of the seasoning. Don’t skimp on this; if the allspice flavor isn’t boldly front and center in the blend then it’s not Jamaican jerk seasoning.
• Hot Peppers: Scotch bonnets are the peppers of choice in Jamaica. It’s a bit challenging to source but you can find Scotch bonnet powder online. Alternatively you can use cayenne pepper, which quite frankly is plenty hot enough for me! If you like it hotter, add more. And you can throw some additional red pepper flakes in with it.
• Thyme: A prominent herb in Jamaican cuisine, thyme adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
• Garlic and Onion Powder: These deliver pungency, umami, subtle sweetness and depth.
• Paprika: Adds earthiness and color. If you like a touch of smoke you can also add an additional 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
• Ginger: Offers a hint of warmth and complexity.
• Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These enhance the earthy sweetness and balance the heat.
• Brown sugar: A touch of sweetness to mellow the spice.
• Salt and black pepper: To bring everything together.

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe

Let’s get started!

This homemade jerk seasoning is quick and easy to make. Simply measure out the ingredients into a bowl or spice jar. Stir or shake the spices to combine.

Store your homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning in an airtight jar and keep it in a cool, dark place. It will keep for several months but for optimal flavor I recommend using within 2 months.

How to Use It

Jerk seasoning is incredibly versatile, elevating everything from meats to vegetables. Traditionally, it’s used as a dry rub for jerk chicken (see also jerk chicken kabobs) and pork (rub down the meat with some oil and the jerk seasoning then grill, fry, or bake away). But modern twists include things like jerk shrimp, tofu, and even jerk-spiced roasted vegetables. In addition to its classic application on grilled meats there are many innovative ways to incorporate Jamaican jerk seasoning into your cooking:

• Jerk Burgers: Mix jerk seasoning into ground beef, chicken or turkey for a spicy twist on classic burgers.
• Jerk Pasta: Add a dash of jerk seasoning to Alfredo or tomato-based pasta sauces for a Caribbean kick.
• Jerk Popcorn: Sprinkle over freshly popped popcorn for a smoky, spicy snack.
• Jerk Tacos: Use jerk-seasoned proteins like pork, chicken, fish, shrimp or jackfruit in tacos topped with a tropical salsa like pineapple salsa or mango salsa.
• Jerk Tostones: Tostones, twice-fried plantains, are a Jamaican staple. Season them with this jerk blend for added flavor and kick.
• Jerk Rice & Beans: Stir into rice and beans for a flavorful side dish.
• Jerk-infused Butter: Blend with butter and spread over grilled corn, bread, or seafood.

Enjoy!

For more homemade seasoning blends from around the world be sure to try my:

• Greek Seasoning
• Old Bay Seasoning
• Curry Powder
• Creole Seasoning
• Elote Seasoning
• Sazon Seasoning
• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Pizza Seasoning
• Garam Masala
• Chaat Masala
• Dukkah
• Za’atar
• Chili Powder
• Chinese Five Spice
• Shichimi Togarashi
• Mixed Spice
• Berbere
• Baharat