Homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning comes together quickly, and it tastes great on everything from beef to poultry and seafood. Save your money and use simple pantry ingredients to make the spice blend from scratch, or turn the rub into a Jamaican jerk paste by adding fiery scotch bonnet peppers and spring onions.
What is Jerk?
“Jerk” is associated with a distinct flavor profile, but the term describes a Jamaican cooking technique of roasting meat and vegetables over an open flame. The popular jerk flavor comes from a surprising ingredient – pimento wood! Pimento trees are native to Jamaica and the wood of choice to build a fire.
And wouldn’t you know it? Pimento trees produce allspice berries (or pimento seeds), one of the main ingredients in Jamaican jerk seasoning. As the wood burns, the natural oils release from the wood to produce smoke that infuses the meat with deep aromatics.
What is Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?
This crave-worthy spice blend varies from region to region. Jerk seasonings and wet sauces provide a similar smokey flavor without preparing your meal over an open flame, making the delicious flavor accessible to home cooks everywhere.
The main ingredients are allspice, dried thyme, and fresh scotch bonnet peppers. While I don’t include scotch bonnet peppers in this recipe, I add cayenne and red pepper flakes for more heat. You can also dehydrate scotch bonnet peppers and grind them into a powder.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Onion Powder: Use onion powder, not onion salt.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds garlicky flavor with a hint of sweetness.
- Cayenne Pepper: Build heat that doesn’t overwhelm using cayenne.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika provides warm, smoky heat.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add more heat and a bit of smokiness with red pepper flakes.
- Cumin: Cumin lends a warm, citrusy flavor to the spice blend.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg rounds out the other spices in the mixture with its nutty sweetness.
- Allspice: For a signature flavor and a nod to the pimento trees, include ground allspice (ground pimento seeds).
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon provides color and imparts sweetness that counteracts the heat.
- Thyme: Dried thyme blends with the other ingredients and adds earthiness.
- Salt + Pepper: Use Kosher salt and coarse ground pepper.
How to Make Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine the spices for the seasoning in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Transfer the spice blend to an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- I recommend using fresh spices and herbs, as spices lose their potency over time.
- Taste the jerk seasoning and adjust the spices to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, add some brown sugar or honey. If you want it spicier, add scotch bonnet peppers.
- Store the jerk seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Use the spice blend to marinate your favorite meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables for a delicious and authentic Jamaican flavor.
If you enjoy this seasoning, try one of these spice blend recipes!
Serving Suggestions
Historically, Jamaican jerk seasoning is for chicken, pork, and fish, but the versatile seasoning is the base for many recipes, such as:
- Jamaican Chicken Fricassee, Roasted Jerk Chicken, Jerk Chicken Wings
- Rasta Pasta
- Jamaican Oxtail Stew, Beef Ribs
- Jerk Shrimp Tacos
- Pork Loin, Pork Chops
Storage
- Store the spice blend in an airtight jar in your pantry or cabinet for 2-3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in jerk seasoning?
Making the spice blend at home is the best way to get bold flavors catered to your taste buds, and all you have to do is add your favorite meat or vegetable and start cooking. Here is what we put in ours:
• Herbs – Dried thyme
• Aromatics – Onion and Garlic Powder
• Spices – Cumin, Nutmeg, Allspice (Ground Pimento Seeds), and Cinnamon
• Heat – Cayenne, Red Pepper Flakes, and Smoked Paprika
• Seasoning – Salt and Pepper
What does jerk seasoning taste like?
The seasoning has a sweet, smoky, earthy heat. The best part about making the spice blend at home and not just buying one at the store is that you can alter the spices to cater to your taste buds. Classic jerk seasoning often contains allspice (ground pimento seeds), onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. We added other spices to the base, resulting in a salty, sweet, and smokey spice blend.
What is a good substitute for jerk seasoning?
Honestly, there isn’t one. It’s a delicious and versatile spice to have in your pantry. If you don’t feel like making a homemade spice blend, I recommend purchasing the store-bought version. Another replacement option is to use a Cajun (like our Slap Ya Mama Seasoning recipe) or Creole seasoning and add brown sugar, nutmeg, and allspice.
More Jamaican Recipes:
Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
- Airtight Jar
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper, coarse ground
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg,
- ½ tablespoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Combine the spices for the seasoning in a mixing bowl.
- Transfer the spice blend to an airtight container.
- I recommend using fresh spices and herbs, as spices lose their potency over time.
- Taste the jerk seasoning and adjust the spices to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, add some brown sugar or honey. If you want it spicier, add scotch bonnet peppers.
- Store the jerk seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Use the spice blend to marinate your favorite meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables for a delicious and authentic Jamaican flavor.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.